Well, it's been a minute since I wrote anything in this. Honestly, I don't really know if anyone reads it but it is a good place to get my thoughts out in the open. Biggest thing about this post - IF YOU WANT TO GO TO YNP, EMAIL ME! I'm ALWAYS up for a trip!!
Many years have past since the last post and LOTS have changed. The "official" Yellowstone Teacher Project from Kennesaw State does not exist any longer. Funding cuts make it close to impossible for these experiential experiences to take place. However, I've found a way to continue going, growing, and sharing our nation's (and the world's) first national park.
The last official KSU YTP trip I helped coordinate was the summer of 2017. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to return many more times, each with a new group of first timers!
2018 - Introduced two high school art teachers and a Physicians Assistant to the amazing views, animals, and people of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Spent time in and out of the park viewing wildlife.
2020 - Covid19 didn't slow us down. We were the first visitors to embark on a "Post-Pandemic Shutdown" excursion with my good friend, MacNeil Lyons from Yellowstone Insight. We helped him break back into the guiding scene after 100+ days of shutdown and it was MAGICAL. Animals everywhere, very few people, no big tour buses, and lots and lots of "firsts" for the other 6 people in my group. Practice, Patience, Persistence, PAYS OFF - words from MacNeil that I have come to live by when visiting with "first timers" to the park.
2021 - Extra special group - my daughter's senior trip with 4 friends and another "teacher mom". These young adults have no idea how fortunate they were to see the specific animals they were able to see up close. Wolves, bears, elk, bighorn sheep...incredible amounts of wildlife. Even the high school graduates learned something whether they wanted to or not. THEY kept the questions coming and THAT is what teaching is about. Gosh it was AWESOME!!
2021 - Another larger group of first time adults experienced the fall with a winter twist in YNP. More teachers, and this time some husbands came as well. A good time was had by all and we left with 8 inches of snow on the ground from Bozeman!! (YNP in the winter is an absolute blast, by the way, but this was not a full-blown winter trip. It came on quite suddenly on the last night of our trip.
2022 - Yay for nephews! I was SO excited to be able to show 2 of my 4 nephews this awesome place. The age differences were pretty significant (10 and almost 19) but they were both blown away at the splendor of this place.
2022 (Autumn) - Took along some first-timers again...I LOVE showing this place off to folks who are not science teachers or who have no idea of the range of "things" they'll be seeing and experiencing. After all, when you are here, ALL of your senses will be used. LOL!
Until next time...Wander Often, Wonder Always!!
Cheers!
Many years have past since the last post and LOTS have changed. The "official" Yellowstone Teacher Project from Kennesaw State does not exist any longer. Funding cuts make it close to impossible for these experiential experiences to take place. However, I've found a way to continue going, growing, and sharing our nation's (and the world's) first national park.
The last official KSU YTP trip I helped coordinate was the summer of 2017. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to return many more times, each with a new group of first timers!
2018 - Introduced two high school art teachers and a Physicians Assistant to the amazing views, animals, and people of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Spent time in and out of the park viewing wildlife.
2020 - Covid19 didn't slow us down. We were the first visitors to embark on a "Post-Pandemic Shutdown" excursion with my good friend, MacNeil Lyons from Yellowstone Insight. We helped him break back into the guiding scene after 100+ days of shutdown and it was MAGICAL. Animals everywhere, very few people, no big tour buses, and lots and lots of "firsts" for the other 6 people in my group. Practice, Patience, Persistence, PAYS OFF - words from MacNeil that I have come to live by when visiting with "first timers" to the park.
2021 - Extra special group - my daughter's senior trip with 4 friends and another "teacher mom". These young adults have no idea how fortunate they were to see the specific animals they were able to see up close. Wolves, bears, elk, bighorn sheep...incredible amounts of wildlife. Even the high school graduates learned something whether they wanted to or not. THEY kept the questions coming and THAT is what teaching is about. Gosh it was AWESOME!!
2021 - Another larger group of first time adults experienced the fall with a winter twist in YNP. More teachers, and this time some husbands came as well. A good time was had by all and we left with 8 inches of snow on the ground from Bozeman!! (YNP in the winter is an absolute blast, by the way, but this was not a full-blown winter trip. It came on quite suddenly on the last night of our trip.
2022 - Yay for nephews! I was SO excited to be able to show 2 of my 4 nephews this awesome place. The age differences were pretty significant (10 and almost 19) but they were both blown away at the splendor of this place.
2022 (Autumn) - Took along some first-timers again...I LOVE showing this place off to folks who are not science teachers or who have no idea of the range of "things" they'll be seeing and experiencing. After all, when you are here, ALL of your senses will be used. LOL!
Until next time...Wander Often, Wonder Always!!
Cheers!