Welcoming the Patton and Strachan Families to WildLink

WildLink would like to extend a giant thank you to the Patton family, for providing scholarships for three of the young women on this expedition in memory of their daughter, Lisa; and the Strachan family, for providing two scholarships in memory of their daughter Deborah. Thank you for your generosity and support. WildLink couldn't do this work without you.

WildLink Expansion Plan 2006/2007 School Year

We realize that things might seem a little quiet at Wildlink right now. However, the truth is that we are readying ourselves for a season of new growth in the 2006/2007 school year. Over the past year, we have been very busy developing the structure and funding foundations necessary to begin moving forward with an expansion plan that will allow us to increase the number of individuals we reach by 50%. So get ready to see WildLink burst into the warmth of a new season with a brightness and energy you’ve never seen! Here are a few of the developments we have planned:

1)Our first annual Youth Leadership Summit, to be held in Fresno on April 22, 2006. This day-long workshop will be a fun, social environment in which WildLink alumni can play and learn the skills involved with community change. We plan to reach between 40 and 60 WildLink alumni with this program and will build on its success in subsequent years to reach more and more of our youth.

2)A full-time school year Community Organizer, who will be based out of Forest Service offices in Clovis, CA. Their primary responsibilities will include acting as a local support for teachers and students before the expedition as they plan and prepare for their trip, and guiding them through the process of selecting, carrying out, and documenting their Wilderness Ambassador projects. They will also be available for Wilderness Assemblies at schools, as well as publicizing events like our WildLink Family Weekend, Teacher Development Weekend and our new annual Youth Leadership Summit to WildLink alumni in their home communities and schools.

3)A half-time WildLink Assistant, who will be a senior instructor from the Yosemite Institute Field staff. This person will take over the field instruction part of the program by leading our WildLink expeditions. They will also take part in school pre-trip visits, special events and management of the WildLink website.

4)Three new expeditions of twelve students each, for a total of nine expeditions next year. This increase from six to nine expeditions per year will increase the number of students we serve by 50%.

And of course, we will continue to offer our annual Teacher Development Workshop and WildLink Family Weekend.

All of these additions to the program are designed to help us reach more students and teachers with WildLink, and to better support our teachers and alumni. We would like to recognize the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Yosemite Institute and our many funders; for without their support, none of this would be possible. Thank you.

WildLink Expedition V Wraps Up the Year in Style

The final expedition of the 2005/2006 school year wrapped things up in style! Students from long-time WildLink partner the Harbor City/Gardena Boys & Girls Club joined first timers from the one. program of San Joaquin County for a spectacular four day journey that covered more than 20 miles of hiking and thousands of feet of elevation gain.

The group met with several different National Park Service rangers in the course of their week, including representatives from public outreach, wilderness and wildlife divisions. They even helped with bear roving in Little Yosemite Valley during the backcountry portion of their expedition.

The group started their journey at Glacier Point, spending their first starfull night at Illillouette Creek. They continued on to Little Yosemite Valley via the Panorama rim trail. After a beautiful and challenging hike with full packs on Wednesday, the group lightened up with a dayhike to the top of little known peak Quarter Dome, which is neatly perched directly between often visited Half Dome and Cloud's Rest, and within sight of Mount Watkins and the Clark range. It was a fitting end to a wonderful week of exploration: of ourselves, our limits, the wilderness, and the great possibilities our future holds.

One highlight of the expedition was Pedro, one of our WildLink alumni from four years ago, who returned this year as the leader of the Harbor City/Gardena Boys & Girls Club. Way to go, Pedro! And many happy returns. Click here to learn more about Pedro.

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