STEAM in the PARK Blog

Olympic Family Camp – Day 4

6/19/2025

We started the day face down in the dirt... but in the best possible way! Our Belly Botany adventure had us lying flat on the forest floor, peering through pocket microscopes to explore the world beneath our feet. Spoiler alert: it’s teeming with life—tiny critters, curious crawlers, and more than a few squeals of delight.

Next up: water testing the creek that feeds Lake Crescent. We learned about the Crescenti Trout, a fish found nowhere else in the world—endemic, elusive, and totally fascinating. And just when we thought science couldn’t be more fun, Ranger Coady busted out The Salmon Flop—a new dance that has us all questioning our dignity (and balance). 🐟🕺

The afternoon was wide open for family choice—some hiked, some napped, some braved the chilly water with bridge jumps, and a few wandered off to the magical Hoh Rainforest. There were shoppers, explorers, and readers by the water—everyone finding their own rhythm in this wild, beautiful place.

Dinner? Thai food that hit the spot—huge thanks to our amazing NatureBridge chefs. Then it was on to a few new traditions: Left, Right, Dice, Camp Charades, and a very serious (and slightly gross) field study: Scat Investigations. Things got wild when we transformed our knowledge into... Scat S’mores. Yep. You heard us. Whoppers and Raisinets may never be the same.

Before we wrapped up, we added to our Joy Jar—tiny notes of gratitude and delight. We were especially excited to hear Dreya proudly add her third joy of the week to the collection. That little jar is filling up fast with some pretty big feelings.

We closed the night with our beloved Firefly Ceremony under the tall trees—grateful, glowing, and dancing our hearts out in the rainforest. Followed by a dance party in the forest that even fairies would have been proud of.

Good day.
Tired, Boss. Tired.

Olympic STEAM in the PARK – Day 3 Reflections

6/18/2025

There are days that slip by, and then there are days that settle in and stay with you—and today felt like one of those. Paddling across Lake Crescent in traditional Salish canoes, surrounded by misty mountains and glassy water, it felt like time slowed down just enough for us to notice the details—the laughter between strokes, the quiet strength of teamwork, and the beauty of a place that’s held stories for thousands of years.

A few unofficial canoe races may have broken out (you know who you are), and we learned that Lake Crescent is nearly 650 feet deep, carved by ancient glaciers and steeped in natural wonder.

After lunch, some campers hit the trails. They gave Storm King a valiant effort—didn’t quite reach the top today, but several are already planning a rematch tomorrow. Others headed to Marymere Falls, where cool mist and ranger wisdom made for a perfect pairing. Rangers Alex and Coady led us with heart, and yes, Coady pulled off a flawless waterfall dance with just a little encouragement from me. 💃

The afternoon shifted to creativity with a Manet & Monet-inspired art session, co-led by camper and fantastic art teacher Laura Lester. With brushes in hand and forest light all around, we painted what we saw—and maybe what we felt, too.

Dinner was burrito night, and the day closed with a truly special moment: time spent with members of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. They welcomed us with stories and taught us to make wooden red cedar roses, a beautiful tradition rich in meaning and memory.

It was a day full of movement and stillness, of learning and laughter, of nature and community. And we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 💚
#STEAMinthePARK #OlympicReflections #CanoesAndCedar #HeartWideOpen

Olympic Family Camp: Day 2 Highlights

6/17/2025

We began the day with two of our favorite traditions—our Book Buddy Exchange and our Mascot Handoff! Campers of all ages gathered together to trade books, share stories, and kick off a day of discovery. And in true Family Camp spirit, we passed along our beloved camp mascots, Odder and Olly (yes, there’s a baby otter now!), to a group that radiated leadership, kindness, and helpfulness. Tonya, Melody, and Tracy were the perfect team to give them a day to remember. 🦦💛📚

Then it was off to Salt Creek and Crescent Beach, where the tidepools welcomed us with a vibrant world beneath the surface. We spotted:
🌟 Sea stars in every color
🌊 Sea anemones and cucumbers nestled in rocky crevices
🪼 Jellyfish, moon fish, barnacles, mussels, snails, and more

The rangers were phenomenal—helping us slow down, look closer, and really see the magic of the marine ecosystem.

After lunch in the park, we settled into a quiet journaling session to capture our sea adventures in words and sketches. That flowed right into a pollinator lesson with our fantastic ambassadors, where Q-tips became pollen collectors for our field journals (though for a moment, we definitely thought Dawn was handing out earwax—words really do matter! 😂).

Dinner was a delicious Italian feast, and the evening brought even more exploration with our “Log Investigator” field study—where we had our first sightings of banana slugs! 🟡🐌

We closed out the day gathered together for a beautiful outdoor screening of “Out There: A National Park Story.” Every time we watch it, it feels more powerful—especially surrounded by a community that’s learning, laughing, and growing together.

Special thanks to our incredible ambassadors—at Family Camp, when you serve, your whole family becomes part of the adventure. And that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. 💛

#FamilyCampMagic #TidepoolAdventures #STEAMinthePARK #OdderAndOlly

Olympic Family Camp – Day 1 Highlights

6/15/2025

We’ve officially kicked off Family Camp here at Olympic with a full house—53 campers strong! For some, it’s their first dive into this magical experience, and for others, it’s a joyful reunion with camp friends who feel more like family.

We started our journey with a quiet moment in the FairyTale Forest, grounding ourselves through forest bathing and setting intentions for the days ahead. (Yes, even the youngest campers had goals!)

After a delicious dinner of fire-roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, we jumped into our first group activity: Birds of a Feather. Watching our families “migrate” in the chilly evening air brought a lot of laughs—and a lot of fast flapping!

And for the first time ever... our campers are taking their birds to bed! We can’t wait to see those bedtime bird selfies roll in. 🐦💤

We closed out the night with a crackling campfire and gooey s’mores. Tomorrow? We head to the tidepools to explore what’s waiting beneath the waves. 🌊🔥🦅

#FamilyCampOlympic #STEAMinthePARK #BirdsInBed #CampMagic #Day1Done

Day 5 Reflections from the Potomac- STEAM in the PARK

6/13/2025

If you could’ve stood where we stood—feet on the banks of the Potomac, taking it all in—you’d understand the quiet strength of this place.

Over the past five days, this small but dedicated group didn’t just take part in a program—we had real conversations, asked hard questions, and uncovered what it means to help students find their voices. We left with a clearer sense of how to support them in becoming stewards of the Earth, protectors of its stories, and leaders for the future.

The land reminded us—gently but clearly—that we are part of something much bigger. And through every moment, the voices of the Piscataway people were present. Their stories reminded us that stewardship isn’t new—it’s inherited. It comes with responsibility, and it calls for us to listen.

Chuck Sams, former Director of the National Park Service, encouraged us to seek out and amplify the voices of the people—those whose stories are rooted in the land, whose perspectives have often been overlooked. That reminder shaped everything we experienced this week.

Last week, we learned from the Paiute in Bryce Canyon. This week, we listened to the Piscataway along the Potomac. Each place brought its own history, but the message was the same: listen with care, honor what you learn, and carry it forward.

To our ambassadors, Robyn and Patty—thank you. You guided us with honesty, encouragement, and deep knowledge. Your leadership made this experience what it was.

It ended today. But the conversations—and the responsibility—continue.

Next, we head to Olympic National Park—ready to keep learning, listening, and leading. #STEAMinthePARK

Day 4 at Potomac River (Day 12/90)

6/12/2025

Today felt like the kind of day you tuck away in your heart and pull out when you need to remember the good. 🦋

We began by wading into the wonder of macroinvertebrates with Educator Kim, using dip nets along the boardwalk and in the wetland edges. Tiny legs. Big impact. Then, just when we thought it couldn’t get better—bald eagles soared above our heads, like nature had choreographed it just for us. 🦅🦅🦅

Ambassador Robyn helped us trace the path of a water droplet through the Water Cycle, and we took on a Biodiversity Blitz using our belly botany scopes—microscopes that remind us there’s beauty we miss when we don’t look close enough. 🔬🌿

In the afternoon, Theresa Cullen invited us into the story of Alice Ferguson and her family—a tale of art, land, and legacy. Standing on the back lawn, paintbrushes in hand, the Potomac River and Mount Vernon in the distance, we channeled our inner Manet and Monet.

Then came the hill. And like clockwork, LeAnn and Angie rolled right down it, laughter trailing behind them. Sometimes joy just has to roll out.

We wandered through the Piscataway Visitor Center, cooled off with ice cream at BJ’s, and crafted our own pizzas on the Blackstone. Simple things. Shared well.

After dinner, we circled back for games, reflections, and the Firefly Ceremony on the boardwalk. Frogs, snakes, snapping turtles, birds—and us. All glowing.

Check. Check. Check.
#STEAMinthePARK #Day11of90 #PotomacRiverPeace #BellyBotanyBliss #FireflyFriendships

Day 3 of POTO STEAM in the PARK (Day 11/90)

6/11/2025

Today had it all—cows, kayaks, and… scat s’mores? Yep, that’s the magic of STEAM in the PARK! 💫

We kicked off the day by milking cows—some of us for the very first time! (Let’s just say we now have a newfound respect for farmers. 🐮) Then we dove into Tree Twinning: Nonverbal Tree Stories, where we told tales with twigs, trunks, and zero talking. 🌳💬

The afternoon brought adventure as we kayaked across the beautifully eerie Ghost Mallow Bay with the ever-incredible Shellie. 🛶👻 And because no camp day is complete without some giggles and gross-out fun, we got our Scat Chat on and crafted our famous scat s’mores—a new camp tradition we’ll never stop loving (or laughing about)! 🍫💩🔥

As the sun set, we hopped on a wagon and rode out to the Potomac River for the most gorgeous golden hour group photo.

We’re soaking up every moment with Theresa, Sam, and Michelle—the fantastic folks from the Alice Ferguson Foundation. One of the best parts of STEAM in the PARK is how fast strangers become friends. ❤️👣

#STEAMinthePARK #Day11of90 #PotomacMagic #CowMilkersClub #TreeTwinningTales

STEAM in the PARK 2025 – Day 2 at Potomac River (Day 10/90)

6/10/2025

Today was a powerful reminder of whose stories we’re walking through.

We spent our morning with the incredible team at the Accokeek Foundation and National Colonial Farm, where history breathes from the soil and riverside wind. We learned about the Piscataway people, whose roots in this land run thousands of years deep. Though it took over 40 years for the Piscataway Federation to be officially recognized by the state, they were always here—stewards of this land long before colonial times.

The Foundation reaches over 4,000 students a year, helping share both the colonial and Indigenous histories with truth, care, and respect. Today, we got to be part of that mission.

After lunch, we met Opal and Rosie, the friendliest cows we’ve ever seen, and four charming goats: Goofball, Snowball, Lucille Ball, and her equally sassy twin we still haven’t named. Then it was time to roll up our sleeves! We pulled invasive weeds, mulched pathways, and watered a native garden, doing our small part for this beautiful place.

Ambassador Patty led us in sound mapping, a peaceful practice of listening deeply to the world around us—birds, bugs, breezes, laughter. We ended the day with a delicious dinner of grilled chicken and veggies followed by a screening of Out There: A National Parks Story under the stars.

We left today with full hearts and new stories to tell. The stories of the Piscataway people. The resilience of a community. The promise of sharing what we’ve learned with our own students.

More learning and connection tomorrow. 🌱
#STEAMinthePARK2025 #StoriesThatMatter #Day10of90 #PotomacRiver #IndigenousVoices

Day 1 at Potomac River Camp (Day 9/90): Groundhogs, Griddles & S’more Confessions!

6/9/2025

Camp #2 of STEAM in the PARK 2025 is officially underway—and the Potomac River welcomed us with sunshine, singing birds, and the cutest beavers and groundhogs showing off on the front lawn like it was their job.

Campers jumped right in—learning the ropes of compostable toilets (we’ve got this!), spotting 11+ bird species, and diving into our first group meal. Dinner was classic camp comfort: hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, and corn salad—all cooked and shared on the Blackstone with plenty of laughs.

Then came the campfire, where LeAnn and Angie got the flames going like pros. And… I have a confession: I broke my no-s’mores-until-the-last-camp rule. Yep. Day 1. Marshmallow, chocolate, graham cracker bliss. Someone persuasive got to me—and honestly? No regrets. 😄

Huge thanks to our incredible ambassadors, Robyn and Patty, for making the first night so smooth and so special.

#STEAMinthePARK2025 #Day9of90 #PotomacRiverCamp #SmoresAndMore

Final Reflection – Bryce Canyon STEAM in the PARK 2025

6/7/2025

As we wrap up our first camp of the season here at Bryce Canyon, one word keeps rising to the top: impact.

This week wasn’t just about a schedule or a set of activities—it was about people. Real people showing up, sharing space, and letting themselves be seen. And that’s what made it meaningful.

One camper told us this week confirmed it—they’re going to continue to teach. That spark turned into a decision. Another shared that after a long season of feeling lost, they found themselves again. One brave voice admitted how lonely life had felt lately—but here, they felt connected. Seen. Supported. And someone else said they laughed harder and louder than they have in years—and this time, they didn’t feel like they had to apologize for it. They felt safe to just be.

That kind of growth doesn’t come from a checklist—it comes from community. From kindness. From being with people who show up with open hearts.

And speaking of open hearts—we will be forever grateful for our ambassadors. Funny, kind, grounded, and loving—they were exactly who we needed for this adventure. The right people at the right time. The kind of folks who quietly lead and loudly love.

Though we said goodbye today, this isn’t the end. WhatsApp is already buzzing, Facebook will keep growing, and text threads and emails will carry these new friendships into the everyday. The story keeps going.

As we pack up and head toward Dulles for Camp #2 (starting in just 48 hours), we’re carrying all of this with us—hopeful that the next group finds the same connection and courage we saw here in Bryce Canyon.

With full hearts and packed bags!
Dacia & Steve