WildLink

September 2026 arrived, and despite an unexpected curveball from mother nature, WildLink was thrilled to welcome back another incredible group of participants from Health Careers Academy in Stockton. Due to heavy smoke from the nearby Dome Fire, the group had to delay their initial start date. However, these resilient students, alongside chaperones Mr. Butcher and Mrs. Pacheco, showed immense flexibility and a fantastic attitude, shifting plans seamlessly. Instead of the usual gradual start, the team arrived, packed up all their heavy gear with the help of their NatureBridge educator guides Lalo and Cassie, and headed straight up to the high country on day one to escape the valley smoke and find some clear alpine air.

Early September arrived and WildLink welcomed an amazing group of new participants from Mariposa High School for another expedition. The group arrived ready to make some awesome memories. Being the most local school, they wasted no time in settling into their cabins at the NESC before coming together for dinner and their first evening program with their educator guides, Andres and Katie, and their brave chaperones, Mrs. Whitfield and Mr. Bothwell.

The 2026 WildLink team from Venture Academy arrived in Yosemite bursting with energy and ready for the adventure ahead. The group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) and settled into their cabins for the first two nights. Alongside their chaperones, Jeremy Sinclair and Kris Dustin, the students enjoyed a delicious dinner that led right into an evening program under the clear night sky, where everyone gathered around a fire, looked up at the stars, and got to know each other. The next day, the group woke up and spent the day in Yosemite Valley with their guides, Sam and Sarah, gearing up for the backpacking expedition ahead. Once everyone had everything they needed for their four-day, three-night journey into the backcountry, they enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the Valley before heading back to the NESC for dinner and one last night in the cabins.

On a Sunday morning in July the Building Healthy Communities: Fresno cohort gathered at their headquarters. A place they had gathered many times before, yet today was different. They were about to embark on an adventure that would take them to some of the wildest places they had ever been. Everyone was excited and packed for the week ahead; an adventure into the Yosemite Wilderness. Having spent so much time together during the summer as BHC’s 2026 youth interns, they shared looks of excited anticipation for what was to come. Once everyone had arrived as prepared as they were going to be, the group loaded up in their vehicles and began the journey up the Sierra Nevada foothills and into Yosemite National Park.

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.