ADRIANA

ANDREANA

CARLOS

DAVID

JOSE

MELISSA

ROBERTO

SARINA

SHAUNTEL

TAMARA

VALERIE

VIRGINIA

Hi!

Hi! I'm a sophomore at West High School of Bakersfield, CA. I am a part of the EnScite Academy (Enivornmental Science and Technology). I am here this week because I "applied" and was "chosen" to be a part of the program (WildLink). We just got in yesterday just a little after 4:00. Tamara and Melissa who are both seniors, me, Shauntel, Andreana, and Roberto (sophomores 10th grade). Tomorrow we're going to hike out for 4 days and 3 nights (great huh?!!)

Right now, Lena and Perrine asked us to write about why we're here and what we want to come from this experience. Last night, the first night out here at the institute [Yosemite Institute-Crane Flat], I could not sleep. I had a stomach ache. Maybe it just wasn't my tummy aching. It was probably because I knew I was not sleeping my own bed and me being attached to my parents. I miss them A LOT! I also just realized that the bond I've already make in just a few hours here could take more time if I were in BRS at school. Shauntel, she turned our to be really nice and caring. I'm glad she also got chosen to come on the trip with us. The reason we all got chosen to be a part of this program is because we applied ourselves and made good enough grades to even be considered to be a part of this week [April] 16-22nd [21st].

Hike to Hite's Cove

Today we're on the trail to Hite's Cove. I'm hot!! The sooner we get there the better. Shauntel is to my left and Melissa is to my right. I just finished sketching poison oak! It's really beautiful out here.

We're probably a 3/4 of a mile in, we still have 4 more. I can hear the stream water flowing again and other beautiful sounds. I'm so horrified taht I'm going to stumble over something and break my leg or even a[n] ARM.

Students carry their backpacks on the 4.5 mile hike to Hite's Cove.

As I looked over to Shauntel's paper I see a[n] artist. She drew a pretty mean poison oak. Well catchy up with ya later.

Val

Being an Ambassador of the Wilderness to my school

I'm honored to be chosen to be the one who'd report back to school and say the WildLink program is a fantastic experience. Besides the dismal (constant) rain taht's been going on, it's been fun for being something new. Everything is filthy, wet, and dirty so it makes it unbearable (disgusting!) Once again like every other journal entry "I miss my parents." I'm counting down till my next shower '2' more days. Everything sticks to you out here!!! I feel sorry for everyone, especially me. Okay, okay Shauntel and Andreana too! I wish the rain would stop. I think I'm getting sick. I doesn't feel so hot. I can't wait to get back to school and fill everyone [in on] the neat camp stories.

Val