WildLink

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.

June has arrived, summer has officially arrived and we were so excited to welcome this years’ Monache High School group. Eleven awesome students gathered at their high school in Porterville CA, on a Sunday morning, prepared and packed as well as they could have been for an adventure. Led by their fearless chaperones Mr. Price and Mr. Orozco the group said goodbye to their home town to come and connect with their home here in Yosemite National Park. After a long and windy road the group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) where they settled into cabins to begin their adventurous week.

May came along and the weather continued to warm as summer approached. WildLink welcomed the third trip of the year: Woodlake high school. The Woodlake students gathered on a warm spring morning at their high school on the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. Excited and ready for an adventure the group loaded up their vehicles and began their journey toward Yosemite National Park. It was a long and windy road but eventually the group made it to the National Environmental Science Center (NESC). Their NatureBridge Educator Sam greeted them. The group unloaded and settled into their cabins, gathering for dinner afterwards. A quick orientation and dinner was served. After dinner the group had a chance to come together, slow down and enjoy a relaxing evening getting to know each other.

The second WildLink expedition of 2026 welcomed Porterville High School students. It was still early spring and Yosemite smiled when one of the last spring snow storms arrived along with the students. The group was thrilled by the sight of snow, as well as a bit worried about their upcoming four day expedition into the backcountry. Excitement was high as the group was greeted by one of their educators Sam and settled into the cabins after arriving, taking some time to play with the snow that had fallen.

The WildLink 2026 season opened in early April with the new participating group Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School and the biggest rain storm of the Spring. The group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) on a clear and sunny Monday afternoon. Staying the first two days at the NESC while preparing for their four day backpacking expedition into the Yosemite wilderness. Accompanied by their brave chaperone Sally and Juana and guided by amazing educators Kelly and Katie, the group was in good hands to make the best out of the expedition. The forecast can be fickle early in the season and the week ahead showed a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Fresno’s Building Healthy Communities non-profit brings together high school aged youth from all over Fresno to empower them to become change agents within their schools and communities. In 2025 these agents of change were invited to come to Yosemite for a six day expedition where they got to know their local national park.

San Lorenzo High School students woke up early one Sunday morning in June, some of them having just graduated from high school the week before. They gathered at their school, welcoming summer break, now ready for an adventure. All eleven students and two chaperones jumped into vehicles with their belongings and the group began making their way to Yosemite National Park. Along the way a crucial snack and refreshment stop was made before making their way up the Sierra Nevada foothills and into Yosemite National Park.

June arrived and Yosemite was immersed in summer as the Monache High School group rose one Sunday morning in Porterville, CA. ready for their six day expedition. Full of excitement and anticipation the group piled into their vehicles and began making their way toward Yosemite National Park. No one in the group had ever spent much time in Yosemite or with each other, which was the perfect environment for stretching some boundaries, connecting, and exploring.

On a clear Sunday morning in Los Angeles the group from New Village Girls Academy came together at their school to join WildLink for another year of exploration, growth, connection, and challenge in the Yosemite Wilderness.