STEAM in the PARK Blog

Day 4: Rocky Mountain Round-Up

7/16/2025

What a day.

We kicked things off with a peaceful (and sometimes hilarious) horseback ride through the pines—nothing like seeing the park from the back of a horse to make you feel part of something bigger. After that, we hit the trails, chasing waterfalls and soaking up alpine lakes that looked like they were straight out of a postcard.

Back at camp, some of us played games, others snuck in a nap, and the book exchange brought all kinds of joy—there’s just something about finding the perfect book from a new friend.

Our scat chat had us laughing (and learning), and then we gathered for our final camp video—which made us both laugh and cry—before ending the night under the stars with our Firefly Ceremony.

This group. This place. This week.

Our hearts are full and our backpacks a little heavier—with memories, not gear. ✨

Day 3 at ROMO!

7/15/2025

Today was an adventure in the Alpine tundra! We kicked off the day with a group photo before diving into a wildflower walk and study. 🌸✨ Shopping overload was a highlight, and we learned about the fascinating climate microclimates in the area.

Dinner at You Need Pie was a treat, and we finally reunited with our lost camper. Welcome back, Mitzi! 🎉 After dinner, we enjoyed some real plein air painting under the beautiful skies.

Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to horseback riding and some well-deserved free time! 🐎💖 #ROMOAdventures #NatureLovers #WildflowerWalk #WelcomeMitzi

Day 2: Rocky Mountain Magic

7/14/2025

What a fin-tastic day of aquatic adventures here in ROMO! 🐾💦

Today we teamed up with our incredible rangers to:
🎣 Tie our own fly fishing flies
🌿 Assess stream habitats for greenback cutthroat trout
🔍 Catch & ID macroinvertebrates
💧 Test the water quality of Boulder Brook Creek
🏞 Learn the art of fly fishing at the beautiful Sprague Lake
🫎 And yes... we saw a MOOSE!

Dinner was hearty chicken chili—because food just tastes better when you’ve earned it and you’re surrounded by mountains. 🌄

Tonight, we cozied up under a blanket of stars and watched Out There: A National Parks Story—a film that reminded us just how special these places (and these people) are.

Tomorrow? It’s tundra time! We’re heading to the Alpine Tundra for a field trip with a special goal in mind… spotting our camp mascot: the pika! 🐾❄️

#STEAMinthePARK #RockyMountainNationalPark #FireflyFamily #AquaticAdventures #MOOSEMoments #FlyFishingFun #PikaPatrol

Day One in ROMO

7/13/2025

We’ve officially kicked off our Rocky Mountain STEAM in the PARK adventure—and what a first day it’s been!

We are beyond grateful for the dream team of rangers here at Rocky Mountain National Park—Danielle, Ashley, and Kelli—who not only welcomed us with open arms but literally rolled up their sleeves and stayed to help us pitch every single tent. That’s the kind of support that sets the tone for something really special.

While we’ve had a few travel hiccups with some of our campers still making their way to us, we’re holding tight to hope and keeping a firefly glow of positivity that things will turn around soon.

And last night? Mother Nature decided to show off. A thunderstorm rolled in just as the sun slipped away, and we all huddled under the canopy watching lightning flicker across the sky like a wild light show. Rain-soaked but smiling, we already feel the magic this place holds.

We know it’s going to be an unforgettable week in ROMO.

Let’s do this!

Final Reflection – Grand Teton | STEAM in the PARK 2025

7/11/2025

As the Tetons fade in our rearview mirrors, we’re holding tight to the stories we lived this week—ones written in laughter, in quiet conversations beneath the stars, and in shared awe floating down the Snake River. These mountains gave us more than just a place to explore—they gave us space to reconnect with old friends, form new bonds, and remember who we are at our core.

There’s something about this place that stitches people together. Maybe it’s the early morning sunrises, the crackle of the campfire, or the simple act of learning alongside someone who was a stranger just days before. This group showed up with open hearts and left with full ones. They built community out of courage and kindness—and that doesn’t happen by accident.

We saw healing in motion—educators rediscovering their spark, friendships rekindled over book exchanges and bracelet making, and spirits soothed by glacial rivers and starry skies.

One camper said it best: “Nature doesn’t just heal—it reminds you that you were whole all along.”

Thank you, Grand Teton. For your grandeur, your grace, and your gentle reminders that learning, laughter, and love belong outside.

Now—onto Rocky Mountain.
More trails to walk. More stories to tell. More lives to light up.
Let’s go. 🌄 #STEAMinthePARK

Day 4 - STEAM in the PARK: Grand Teton

7/10/2025

The Tetons gave us a gift today—one we’ll never forget. We spent the morning floating down the mighty Snake River, surrounded by the grandeur of glacier-carved peaks and the quiet hush of wild things. Our guides were not only skilled but deeply knowledgeable, pointing out bald eagles nesting above, ospreys diving for fish, ducks skimming the surface, and geese leading the way like seasoned river captains. Some of us even learned where glaciers live (inside joke)

After the float, our campers ventured out on their free time—some wandered through Jackson Hole’s charming shops, some sampled huckleberry ice cream and shakes, and others laced up their boots for more hikes and wildlife watching. Moose, elk, and bison made surprise appearances, but so did belly laughs and meaningful conversations. It wasn’t about what they did—it was who they did it with.

Tonight, we gathered for our last meal together. It was warm, delicious, and full of storytelling. We made bracelets, reflected on what we’re taking home, and closed with our firefly ceremony.

On Day 1, I always carry a small fear: will they connect in just five days? But they always do. They always become more than campers—they become a family. One camper said it best tonight:
"I am so thankful that I said yes to this. I was nervous, but I can't imagine my life without these beautiful humans now."

And just like that, the Tetons will send us home full—of wonder, of gratitude, and of each other.

Day 3 at Grand Teton #STEAMinthePARK

7/9/2025

Today was all about giving back—and digging deep (literally). Our morning began with a powerful hands-on lesson about invasive species. After learning how they impact native ecosystems, our 36 amazing campers rolled up their sleeves and spent 2.5 hours pulling musk thistle and napweed across the Teton Science Schools campus. It was sweaty, thorny, and tough—but these educators showed up with joy and grit, proving that when you love a place, you help protect it.
💚 Need someone to clean up invasives in your yard? Our crew is trained and ready!

We then spent our afternoon exploring nature’s diversity and design. Ambassador Amy led us in leaf classification through rubbings and sorting, and Ambassador Jenni helped us uncover the secrets of nature’s engineers—from beavers to humans. After building model habitats and searching the riverbanks, we hit the jackpot… beaver dams and a beaver sighting! 🦫✨

Tonight’s campfire brought laughs, a little gagging, and a whole lot of bonding during our now-famous Skat Chat (yes, that’s what you think it is) and the return of scat s’mores—equal parts educational and gross.

Tomorrow we trade our gloves for paddles as we float down the Snake River and enjoy some well-earned free time. What a wild, wonderful ride it’s been so far. 💛

#STEAMinthePARK #GrandTeton #InvasiveSpeciesWarriors #NatureIsTheBestTeacher #BeaverBelievers #ScatChatChampions

Day Two: Grand Teton STEAM in the PARK — Sunrise, Soulmates, and Surprises

7/8/2025

What do you get when you mix 36 educators, a 4 AM wake-up call, and the mighty Grand Tetons? A day full of beauty, soul-stretching hikes, quiet reflection, tiny art, and one BIG announcement.

Many started their day in the pre-dawn hush, bundled in jackets, quietly making their way to Mormon Row to watch the sunrise. And oh, was it worth it. The first rays of light slowly spilled over the jagged Teton peaks, and time stood still for just a moment. After breakfast, we were lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Amy, a seasonal ranger who splits her time between Grand Teton and the Everglades. She shared the deeper story of this place—why it matters, what it teaches us, and why it’s sacred. We even got to try on bear hides and connect more personally with the wildlife and wonder of this landscape.

After the sun lit up the valley, we laced up our boots for a 3.5-hour hike through some of the park's most meaningful places. It wasn't just about the views—it was about the land, the legacy, and the quiet way the Earth reminds us we’re a part of something bigger. We talked about the importance of stewardship, listened to the sound of wind in the trees, and let the trail teach us what it needed to say.

Later, Ambassador Kim led us through a beautiful session focused on sound mapping. She reminded us how important it is to pause, listen, and center ourselves before tackling hard things. It was the kind of grounding we didn’t know we needed—until we did.

Then came the tiny art… in a tin! Our campers dug deep into their creative side, and let’s just say—no one saw this coming. What started as hesitation turned into tiny masterpieces and huge smiles. They surprised themselves, and each other.

We also had our beloved book buddy exchange—and it could not have been more perfect. Each match felt handpicked by the universe. People found soulmates, not just in stories, but in each other. Books brought us together, but it was the sharing that made the magic.

Tonight, we gathered to watch Out There: A National Park Story. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. This film reminded us why we’re here and who we do this for. It was powerful, beautiful, and deeply moving.

And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. As our glow stick art lit up the night, we let this camp announce one of our locations for next summer.

So without further ado, drumroll please…
🎉 STEAM in the PARK is heading to Glacier National Park in 2026! 🎉

Yes, we’re tired. Yes, our feet hurt. But our hearts? Oh, they’re full. Day Two was unforgettable—and we’re just getting started.

Day 1 at Grand Teton: A little wild, a whole lot wonderful.

7/7/2025

Let’s talk travel drama—because of course it wouldn’t be STEAM in the PARK without a few curveballs. Late planes. No rental cars. One camper even ended up staying at a stranger’s house after arriving too late to pick up their vehicle. Another camper lost all cell service and GPS and accidentally took the scenic (read: Yellowstone) route to camp. And yet—by 4:30 pm, every single camper rolled in, full of great attitudes and big smiles.

Dinner with Chef Ty hit the spot, and we kicked things off with our classic bird introductions (hello, Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls!).

Something to smile about: When we realized last week that we only had a few cars heading to camp, we put out the call for help—and our Firefly Family showed up. Newbies and alumni alike volunteered to shuttle folks from the airport with one big motto: "No camper left behind."

This is why we do this. Because educators need spaces where their cups get filled, their voices are heard, and they are seen and loved. We’re proud to stand in the gap and hold that space.

Here’s to a week of sunrises, moose sightings, hikes, learning, laughter, and more mosquitoes than we can count. Day 2, let’s go!

#STEAMinthePARK #GrandTetonMagic #NoCamperLeftBehind #EducatorsDeserveThis

Day 5 Reflection – Acadia National Park

7/2/2025

There’s a certain magic in goodbyes—the kind that swells up behind your eyes and spills over, not from sadness, but from gratitude. From joy. From hearts full to the brim after five unforgettable days together in a place that feels sacred.

Acadia has a way of wrapping its wild arms around us and whispering, “Stay a little longer.” But our time, as it always does, moves faster than we want it to. And as we packed up our gear and hugged one another tightly, we knew something beautiful had happened here.

Tears fell freely this morning—not because we were saying goodbye, but because we got to say goodbye to something that mattered. Thirty-one remarkable souls shared this week with us, each one bringing a story, a spark, a light. One camper, eyes misty, shared that she came here uncertain—unsure about returning to the classroom next year. But now? She’s ready. Reignited. Re-inspired. That’s the kind of power this place and this community hold.

To our incredible rangers, who give so much of themselves to make this park and this program shine—you are woven into the very fabric of this experience. We are endlessly thankful.

Now, as we get ready to board our plane toward home, my heart pulls in a different direction. Little Lincoln has been asking when Mimi is coming to hold him. And Tony is always looking for MimiPops- we are a collective unit. Oh, sweet boys—hang on just a bit longer. We are on our way to see all of you. Two days of hugs and kisses and cookies and playing.

Thank you, Acadia. Thank you, Firefly Family.
Until we meet again.

💛 #STEAMinthePARK #AcadiaMagic #GratefulGoodbyes