Armstrong Scholars 2021: Connecting Through Cultures, Nature and Community Care
In July 2021, a group of young women set out on a trek through the High Sierra as part of NatureBridge's Armstrong Scholars program. In this blog, Lesley and Sarah sharer their reflections and the lasting impact the adventure made on them and their fellow Scholars.
This year’s Armstrong Scholars trip taught us countless lessons that we are excited to take with us and cherish for years to come. This experience brought us closer to each other, the natural world and to the people who lived before us. We were able to experience a sense of belonging within our group and in the spaces we occupy. Outdoor activities like backpacking have not always been representative of a diversity of people, so experiences that help to create comfort and connection are very important.
Some of the quotes that stood out from the first days of the trip were “representation matters” and “I did not think that I would see other people of color on this trip.” We had students from different cultural backgrounds, with different levels of backpacking experience and with many other identities that are not often represented in the outdoors. Seeing participants from different backgrounds challenged the notion of who we usually see represented outdoors or backpacking, and it made us feel like we belonged. This allowed us to connect and interact with each other and with the outdoors in authentic ways.
On our first night, we welcomed Joie Armstrong’s spirit by lighting a candle and went around the circle greeting her in all of the languages we knew that were not English. We were able to greet her in many languages, and we were surprised by how many we knew as a collective. We also shared our cultures through stories, food and reminiscing on meals from home.
Another way several of us connected through our different cultures was by sharing similar stories of our families and ancestors washing clothes on rocks outdoors. Although all of our ancestors came from different parts of the world, and backpacking wasn’t something they did, we bonded over finding good rocks to wash our hiking clothes on and shared stories and similarities of what that looked like in our families. The more we divulged about our personal lived experiences, the more similarities we found with each.
We learned how resilient and strong we are as we experienced these challenges together.Sarah and Lesley
Regardless of our various levels of knowledge of the natural world, we were able to build deep connections to each other and to nature. Working through challenging weather patterns was an experience that bonded our group. During hot days, thunderstorms, and freezing nights there were many opportunities to feel overwhelmed and potentially draw down the energy of the group as a whole. Instead, we worked together and we pushed through. We learned how resilient and strong we are as we experienced these challenges together.
One day we were hit with a huge thunderstorm, complete with hail and lightning. Our team maintained positive attitudes even when we were cold and feeling nervous about the situation. We were screaming with excitement and rating the quality of each boom of thunder. As the rain poured on we forged along the trail, hiking with minimal breaks, pushing through the storm and supporting each other the entire way.
We were humbled by the beauty in the wilderness, and that beauty inspired connection, joy and appreciation for nature.Sarah and Lesley
We connected to the night sky, remembering that the stars and sky we looked at every night were the same stars and sky that our loved ones back home were also looking at. For some, it was the first time seeing stars at night or the first time seeing the Milky Way. Sharing that moment with the group was so powerful. We were humbled by the beauty in the wilderness, and that beauty inspired connection, joy and appreciation for nature. When we identified birds, mushrooms, flowers and landscapes, the excitement was contagious and our hikes were filled with pointing out nature, nature journaling and singing “Toxic” by Britney Spears every time we saw a toxic mushroom.
After 12 days of backpacking together, we'd forged strong, deep bonds. Although there was a lot of excitement for the trip, there was also a lot of nervousness. Thoughts of “am I strong enough, am I capable and will I be accepted for who I am?” surfaced at points. From day one, scholars demonstrated immense care and empathy for each other. This eased a lot of the self-doubt and allowed for participants to show up as their authentic selves. We created a community where everyone supported and offered their help to the group and each other. Whether it was to carry weight for others or to cook when it wasn’t their night to cook. Scholars also practiced and became more comfortable advocating for themselves and their needs—asking for a hiking pace that was right for them, asking for stops when needed, and asking for help and support.
In creating this community of care we were able to experience lots of joy and laughter even on our most challenging days. It allowed for more vulnerability and to share parts of ourselves that we often do not share with people we have just met. We were able to see the strength and power in others and cherish the strength and power within ourselves.
Stories
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.
Staff Spotlight: Appreciation for Miho Aida
Miho Aida (she/they) has held multiple roles at NatureBridge over the past twenty-four years, including Environmental Science Educator, Community Connection Coordinator, Field Staff Scientist, Marine Project Coordinator, Pacific Rim Environmental Education Specialist, Armstrong Scholars Educator, Diversity Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Director of Equity and Inclusion. Now, on the eve of Miho's departure, we asked them to reflect on their time at NatureBridge and share a bit about their upcoming adventures.