Expedition I

Our first expedition team of the year, comprised of members from Jill Kinmont Boothe, Turlock and Kingsburg High Schools, got WildLink off to a great start in October!

We chose an ambitious 25 mile route that took us through the splendor of the High Sierras in Autumn. We started at Tenaya Lake near Tuolomne Meadows, and chose the challenging but ever-rewarding climb to the top of Cloud's Rest Peak, which provided us with the sort of view only a Yosemite mountain peak can supply!

We explored our new field science journalling curriculum at Sunrise Creek, and came up with some great results! And bearish visitors aside, we enjoyed an exciting, challenging, tranquil and beautiful adventure in Yosemite. It made me look even more foward than usual to our upcoming expedition with Sunnyside High School this month!

To view journals and stories from Expedition I, click here.

WildLink Program Assistant Opportunities

Are you a WildLink alumnus somewhere between being a WildLink expedition student and WildLink intern? Are you ready to take on more responsibility, journey back to the wilderness, and learn even more about leadership and backcountry survival?

If so, ask your WildLink teacher about a WildLink Assistant opportunity that's available to you, allowing you to return to Yosemite with your school's next WildLink expedition. You'll enjoy a leadership role in the trip, and can share your outdoor and science skills with the rest of your expedition crew!

Expressing Wilderness:
Teacher Expedition

I'd like to send out a big thank you to all of our WildLink teachers who took time out of their busy schedules to join us here in Yosemite for Expressing Wilderness: Teacher Expedition 2003. We had a wonderful mixture of old WildLink friends and new faces, and as a result all left with a renewed excitement for the WildLink Program.

Naturalist and field journalist Jack Laws led us in a series of journalling activities great for personal journals as well as in the classroom; Terry from the Yosemite Instiute introduced the idea of using the Great Outdoors as the ultimate classroom; Erik from the National Park Service gave us new view of Autumn in Yosemite; and Barb and I shared some new WildLink developments and took advantage of all of the great energy and brainpower present to work on future ideas.

We enjoyed a great dinner and social evening around the fire at the Wawona Pioneer History Center. It was such a treat to have all of these amazing people together in one place.

Want to be a WildLink Intern
or do you know someone who does?

We’re still searching for next semester’s WildLink Intern! This opportunity will provide you the opportunity to experience a wide variety of the jobs available in the National Park Service, training in the field science education program at the Yosemite Institute, and a prominent leadership role here at WildLink. You also receive a monthly stipend and a free home right here in Yosemite Valley…. So any of you WildLink alumni out there, age 18 or older, who are interested in this awesome opportunity, apply today! Click here to see intern journals to view the experiences of past interns). Remember, we can help you arrange to receive college credit for your time in Yosemite!

If you’re interested in these positions (we’ll be hiring two interns in January), e-mail me at mandy_vance@partner.nps.gov.

So we’ve got lots to look forward to this year. I’ll be seeing all of you at your schools or in the wilderness soon….have a great November!

Mandy