WildLink

The 2025 season kicked off on a late April afternoon welcoming Porterville High School for another year with WildLink. That morning, eleven eager students came together at their school ready for a week of adventure, challenge, fun, and connection.

2025’s last WildLink expedition saw the first year Mariposa CountyHigh School participate in the program. The most local school, only one hour away from Yosemite valley yet ten out of eleven of the participants had never backpacked in Yosemite National Park and were excited to explore their back yard. Chaperoned by their brave Kerry and Peter the group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) on a Sunday afternoon. There they met one of their educator guides, Katie, and would soon meet their second one, Cassie, the following day. The group settled into cabins and reconvened for dinner and an evening together around a fire. There important pieces of information were shared and the participants had an opportunity to reflect and welcome the week ahead.

Late September arrived and WildLink was fortunate enough to welcome one more group of amazing participants from Health Careers Academy in Stockton for another expedition. The group arrived full of energy and ready to make some awesome memories. Having sat in a car for a few hours they were eager to stretch their legs and wasted no time in settling into their cabins before coming together for dinner and their first evening program from NatureBridge.

Venture Academy’s 2025 WildLink students arrived in Yosemite hungry for adventure and excited for the week ahead. After a long drive from home in Stockton the group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) and settled into cabins for the first two nights. A delicious dinner led to an evening program under the clear night sky where the group gathered around a fire and looked up at the stars while getting to know each other. The next day the group woke up and spent the day in Yosemite Valley with their guides Sam and Cassie gearing up for the backpacking expedition ahead. Once everyone had everything they needed for the next four days, 3 nights in the backcountry, they enjoyed the rest of the day in Yosemite Valley before heading back to the NESC for dinner and one last night in the cabins.

Fresno Building Healthy Communities works with youth from all over Fresno bringing together a cohort of thirty plus interns every summer. Having had a successful trip for about half of their interns, they were invited to bring the rest to Yosemite for their own six day expedition. This time heading up to Yosemite's high country, the team ventured into the Poly Domes area.

This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!

This past November, we welcomed WildLink alumni and their families back for the annual WildLink Family Weekend—an event that continues to strengthen the bond between people and place. Held at the newly opened National Environmental Science Center (NESC), the weekend was a celebration of connection, both to the park and to the ever-growing WildLink community.

Venture Academy’s second round of 2024 WildLink students arrived in Yosemite full of wonder, excitement, and on the lookout for bears. With a $10 per person pot, stakes were high to be the first to see the famous furry critters. Their fearless chaperones—Mr. Meza, a seasoned WildLink participant and expert whistler, and Ms. Dustin, a lifetime Yosemite visitor and lover—encouraged the students to bring their best selves. After settling into their cabins, the group met with their educator Katie for dinner and an evening of stargazing by the Merced River. The headlights of climbers spaced out like a constellation on Washington Column’s rock face after dark, far above the valley floor, and was a twinkling inspiration for these soon-to-be adventurers.

Another great WildLink trip to a beautiful Wilderness area is in the books! This October, a group of exceptional high school students from Health Careers Academy in Stockton, CA ventured out for a week of adventuring in the wild lands of Yosemite’s high country. There they found new friends, resilient parts of themselves, sweeping mountain views, and even a deer swimming across a frigid alpine lake for seemingly no reason! They were joined by National Park Service Wilderness Ranger Jacob and NatureBridge educators Sarah and Sophia.