Stories from the Field

Welcome, Armstrong Scholars Leaders!

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Armstrong Scholars pose for a photo on a hike.

The Armstrong Scholars program is entering into a new year of leading journeys of self discover in the wilderness. This summer, a small group of young women will gear up for a life-changing trek through the High Sierra of Yosemite National Park, guided by skilled NatureBridge educators and the momentum of their own inner power. Each step expands the legacy of Joie Armstrong that has impacted the lives of hundreds of other young women before them. Read more about Joie and past program leaders and participants from our 50 Stories for 50 Years series here: 

Part 1: Roses and Thorns
Part 2: Full Circle
Part 3 : It Couldn’t be Done
Part 4: The Hummingbird
2021 Armstrong Scholars Reflections

Each step expands the legacy of Joie Armstrong that has impacted the lives of hundreds of other young women before them.
NatureBridge

Armstrong Scholars leaders smiling on a hike.

This year, NatureBridge is proud to welcome Armstrong educators Amanda Adams and Kaitee Levinson. Their love of the program, strong backcountry experience, social emotional learning skills and commitment to equity and inclusion will serve them and the Scholars well as they explore the High Sierra and so much more together this summer.

In their words:

My vision for the outcome of this program is for my students to feel accepted as they are and to feel that they are part of a group of powerful women. To take what they learn from the wilderness and mesh it back into their lives as women in society is a special and unique opportunity. My hope is that they find their inner power and control, that they feel confident in their abilities to reclaim struggles for themselves—that they find strength by experiencing struggle and hardship within the context of a restorative, healing experience.  —Amanda Adams

My vision would be for them to simply see from a new lens because that would mean that they have grown in self-awareness, compassion and empathy. Those are the most essential in building a better future. These participants will undoubtedly learn hard skills, but the soft skills are where we need to be focusing our time and energy. My measure of success is how they understand each other from beginning to end. My vision is one of fostering a community of empathy that leads to meaningful relationships with themselves and the natural world. I think it is important to create a space for these young women to learn from each other so they can feel empowered to learn from the world around them. —Kaitee Levinson

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