This post is long overdue. I got back from Yosemite two weeks ago and was slammed with a ton of work. Students were suspended, aides were fired, and subs were asked to never return to our school district. Not to mention, I got the pleasure of reading over 300 emails when I got access to a computer. I am just now feeling like I’m back on track. Unfortunately, I’m leaving for Texas from Tuesday-Sunday. I’ll be attending the CEC Convention in San Antonio which is going to be a great experience! The timings not great – but sometimes you have to do things because they benefit your students in the long run. Here’s the perfect example….

Yosemite was AMAZING. This post has way too many pictures. Pictures that attempt to capture the beauty that is Yosemite. But they just can’t. There’s no way.

Our hiking rotation went straight to Crane Flats Campground for the first two days:

The kids loved playing in the snow.

It was amazing to see them come alive. New, unexpected relationships were developed during these unstructured moments where they were around their classmates in an entirely different setting.

We went cross country skiing. I spent most of the time on my butt trying to figure out how to appropriately stand up without puncturing myself in the eye with a ski.

The kids got to crawl through a fallen sequoia tree. His name is Dead Fred.

We spent two days in Yosemite Valley where we went hiking, saw Yosemite Falls, and grew even closer as a hiking group.

I realized the value of teaching outdoors. Where students can see, touch, feel, relate, and be able to connect their learning to reality.

My students realized the value of trust and communication when we went through the spider caves and could not see a single thing. They relied on senses that we typically take for granted. They relied on each other before taking a single step (or crawl) toward the end of the cave.

We learned the value of leaving no trace behind. That we do not inherit this world from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children. And that we must minimize the impact we have on Mother Nature.

We reflected. We were mindful. And we began to realize that we are a part of something so much bigger.

My students began to understand that the journey actually is the destination. 

So yes. Things have been a little crazy since I got back. But it was worth it. And I would do it all over again. To see my students’ excitement and to be in one of the most beautiful places in the world. All while being able to see the direct benefits of hands-on learning and outdoor education.

It was so, so worth it.