Stories from the Field

For the 2026 Armstrong Scholars, each day started with a song. Maybe it was "Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield, or "Believe" by Cher, or "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. Music and laughter carried us through our first waking moments—whether it was at 3 a.m. in wet sleeping bags preparing to hike up a pass, or at 8 a.m. next to a lake and ready for a rest day. We celebrated hard things the way we knew best—by dancing—at the end of a long day to warm up before slipping into our sleeping bags, or on top of a mountain pass, or at the trailhead at the end of a beautiful 65.7 mile-long journey.

What is outdoor education and why is it important? These questions may arise when you’re planning your first multi-day program for your school. Here is everything you need to know about NatureBridge programs, how they benefit students and teachers while enforcing classroom learning, and how to plan a program.

When Walter Sive and Cheryl Ellsworth decided to include NatureBridge in their estate plans, they knew their choice represented much more than a charitable gift. It was a declaration of support for and an investment in an organization they believe will continue changing lives for generations to come. They opted to join The 1971 Society, NatureBridge’s legacy giving program, demonstrating their confidence in an organization whose mission—and people—have earned their trust.

Former NatureBridge educator Jenny Stock has built a career helping people connect to places they might never otherwise experience—from coastal trails to the deep sea. Today, she works in Point Reyes, CA as an Education Specialist for NOAA’s Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, where she develops curriculum, leads communications, and creates interpretive programs and exhibits that highlight why these unique places matter. But her passion for this work began long ago, when she was a field educator at some other special spots along the California coastline.

The 2026 Armstrong Scholars are thriving! They were absolutely radiant when we saw them at resupply weekend, singing, dancing, laughing, sharing stories, and feasting on freshies! It was a joy to hear of their adventures thus far and learn what they are taking from their first week together in the Yosemite Wilderness. Several shared appreciation for being able to be their true selves, to feel truly seen and heard, and to learn so much from one another.

For Tashanda Giles-Jones, hands-on activities are at the heart of an education that leads to true understanding and transformation. In 2014, Tashanda chaperoned an ECS seventh-grade trip to NatureBridge’s Southern California campus in the Santa Monica Mountains. More than ten years later, she’s still bringing students back to experience NatureBridge programs.