After a week
of working with a group of high school students, Umar kicks
back with Moose Mutlow, Yosemite Institute Education Director
to reflect on his second week in Yosemite.
What does your typical day look like as
a Yosemite Institute Instructor?
I get up about quarter to six. It
takes about five minutes to get to work on my bike. It's
cold in the morning and there are mostly busses out on the
road. I saw a coyote yesterday on the road as a bus was
driving past. That was the first coyote that I've seen as
a matter of fact. He was just getting out of the way of
the bus. I ride my bike on the bike path. If I'm rushing
it's a tough commute. I got a flat tire one morning. I got
out of the house and my bike tire was flat. I had to be
at work in five minutes and I got frustrated so I got lost
on my way back to Curry Village. I still made it on time,
though. Even on a bike with a flat tire.
At 8:15 the [Yosemite Institute]
instructors get together and sign off on what section of
the valley they are going to be in. So some people might
go to El Capitan and some might go to the meadow.
This week I was with students from
Galt High school. They were 11th graders. They were here
for four days. I was with them all week. So it was fun to
have somebody your age to have some fun with.
My favorite day was the El Cap day.
When we got there Dave [the Yosemite Institute Instructor]
told us about rock climbing, the equipment, who climbed
the fastest, and gave us true and false questions. Like
he said there were 11 and 12 year old kids that climbed
the mountain and we had to guess whether that was true or
false. That was true!
At first I looked up at El Capitan and didn't know what
he was talking about, I couldn't see anyone up there. After
a while if I looked hard I could see the people climbing
on El Cap.
In the evening there is a campfire
program. They play a couple of games and this time they
had a talent show. Our theme was an UN-talent show. It was
weird. They did things that were not talent that you could
do. Like touching your nose and putting your feet out at
the same time.
What was the difference between last week and this week?
I had a different group. I had a
little more in common with the students this week. Time
flew by.
What are you excited for next week?
Probably getting to see another park
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. I haven't heard
much about that park. The biggest tree in the world is a
Sequoia.
What is your goal for next week?
I want to learn everything there
is to know about that park. I don't want to waste my time.
I want to use my time wisely and have fun.
How would you describe your feelings before you came
out to Yosemite on your WildLink Expedition two years ago?
I was excited but then I found out
that I was going to be camping and I was like Aww-man. But
Miss Barbara told me how much fun it was going to be and
I got excited again.
How can you make the experience better for students
next week?
I think it makes their experience
more fun to have somebody their age teaching them. You can
still have fun while out in wilderness and all your instructors
don't have to be older. I'm a role model so I'm a person
who's responsible, is fun to be with, but if you're doing
something wrong I can still tell you to behave. I think
a good role model is a good mentor.
