The Power of Community Shines at Evening on the Lake
On November 6, supporters of NatureBridge’s Olympic campus gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle, WA for our annual Pacific Northwest event, Evening on the Lake. It was an inspiring night of connection, celebration, and shared commitment to expanding access to outdoor education in Olympic National Park. Thanks to the generosity of our board members, sponsors, and guests, the event raised over $450,000 to provide scholarships for more students to experience the transformative power of learning in nature.
The evening began with a vibrant cocktail reception, where guests gathered to experience a taste of NatureBridge’s hands-on approach to environmental science education. Interactive science stations invited attendees to explore the natural world through the same activities and investigations practiced by NatureBridge students. Guided by our Olympic educators, guests examined specimens, peered through microscopes, tested hypotheses, and experienced first-hand the wonder and discovery that make outdoor learning so powerful.
During both the reception and the mainstage program, our attendees heard powerful stories about the lasting impact of NatureBridge experiences on young people’s lives—from building confidence and curiosity to fostering meaningful connections with others and the natural world.
Our featured speaker, Tashanda Giles-Jones, an environmental program specialist at Environmental Charter Schools in South Los Angeles, shared how NatureBridge provides opportunities for more than 200 of her high school seniors each year. Her remarks highlighted the importance of making outdoor education accessible to young people and the profound impact these experiences can have on students as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
We were also honored to hear from eighth grader Kayson Simmonds, our 2026 Olympic Student of the Year, who shared a moving reflection on the meaning of community and the lessons he learned about connection and resilience during his NatureBridge experience.
Community isn't just a word. It's something we choose to create. It's being there for someone when they're having a difficult day. It's listening when someone needs to talk. It's encouraging someone when they don't know what to do next. And sometimes, it's just knowing that you aren't going through something alone. Before NatureBridge, I never understood why we talked about community so much. Now I do.Kayson Simmonds, 2026 Olympic Student of the Year
Kayson's words captured the heart of the evening and reminded us that the impact of NatureBridge extends far beyond a student's time in the national park. The friendships, confidence, and sense of belonging students develop can shape how they engage with their communities long after returning home.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this year’s Evening on the Lake possible, including our generous sponsors, donors, guests, speakers, staff, and volunteers. Thank you for being part of the NatureBridge community and for helping inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. We can't wait to see what we accomplish together in the year ahead!
Stories
The Power of Community Shines at Evening on the Lake
On November 6, supporters of NatureBridge’s Olympic campus gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle, WA for our annual Pacific Northwest event, Evening on the Lake. It was an inspiring night of connection, celebration, and shared commitment to expanding access to outdoor education in Olympic National Park. Thanks to the generosity of our board members, sponsors, and guests, the event raised over $450,000 to provide scholarships for more students to experience the transformative power of learning in nature.
NatureBridge Yosemite: “Doing Big Things in the Presence of Big Things”
NatureBridge Yosemite is known as the “adventure campus.” We have the iconic Half Dome, and infamous El Capitan, and the tallest waterfall in North America. Granite walls rise above the valley floor, and ancient sequoia groves hold centuries of history within their trunks. It is easy to feel small in Yosemite, surrounded by a landscape that existed long before us and will continue long after we leave. But being surrounded by these monumental places does not mean students’ actions are insignificant. Throughout their week here, students learn that they can contribute to something much bigger than themselves, whether by restoring habitat, conducting scientific investigations, or building connections with the people and places around them.
