Yosemite

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.

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.

On bright summer morning students gathered at San Lorenzo High, eager and excited for the adventure to come. This was the second year San Lorenzo participated in the program and everyone here at NatureBridge looked forward to welcoming their new group of students. A long car ride full of music, snacks and conversation got the San Lorenzo students to Yosemite. They arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) and unloaded their vehicle taking in a big breath of fresh mountain air. Greeted by their educator Sophia, the group settled into their cabins and once they were set they all gathered for dinner. The group’s awesome chaperones Alli O’Brien and Yobani Lopez rested easy once the students were eating dinner in Yosemite. After dinner the group stayed together for the evening and began to get to know each other a little better now that they were all experiencing this new environment. The evening went on with a campfire and s'mores before going to bed for their first night.