Day 1 | Glacier National Park: The First Campfire at Big Creek

Today we began another week of STEAM in the PARK, this time surrounded by the mountains, forests, and rushing waters of Glacier National Park. Twenty-eight educators arrived throughout the afternoon, including 12 who are joining our community for the very first time. New places always have a way of bringing new energy, and you could feel the excitement as everyone settled into Big Creek Outdoor Education Camp.

This beautiful campus, operated by the Glacier Institute, has a fascinating history. Years ago, it served as the Fire Hot Spot Center for the U.S. Forest Service, where wildfires were monitored and coordinated throughout the region. Today, the buildings still serve an important purpose, but instead of tracking fires, they help spark curiosity, learning, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

We were fortunate to spend the day with an incredible team. Eleven environmental educators, along with Glacier National Park Rangers Matt and Lindsay, welcomed us into this place through our orientation, map activity, Camera Walk, and one of our favorite traditions—the Glacier National Park Secret Tree Sniffing Society. There is something wonderfully silly about watching a group of adults press their noses against the bark of a ponderosa pine, only to discover that trees can smell like vanilla, butterscotch, cinnamon... or something completely different depending on who is doing the sniffing.

Dinner was another highlight. Turmeric chickpeas and fresh watermelon were the perfect ending to a warm summer afternoon, and judging by the empty plates, they were a big hit.

As daylight began to fade, we gathered for our Book Buddy Exchange before heading down to Big Creek for our first campfire together. It was one of those Glacier evenings that reminds you how quickly the mountains can change the weather. The temperature dropped from 83 degrees to 69 degrees in just a couple of hours, and sweaters quickly replaced T-shirts as we sat around the fire listening to the creek rush by.

Our theme this week is Gathered Here, and tonight those words already felt true. Twenty-eight educators from different places, backgrounds, and experiences have come together in one extraordinary place. We have no idea what stories will be shared, what friendships will grow, or what moments will stay with us long after we leave Glacier. But if today is any indication, this is going to be a beautiful week.