Day 17 of 85 | Camp 3 Day 1 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

"Gather here in this moment, gather here in this place..."

As we sat around the campfire tonight, that lyric felt especially fitting because, truthfully, New River Gorge almost didn't happen. When we first began planning this summer, Camp 3 was supposed to be at Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We were excited about bringing STEAM in the PARK to the West Coast, but sometimes even the best plans meet unexpected obstacles. With the World Cup taking place in the San Francisco area, airfare prices soared. Despite interest, only two campers registered, and we knew we had to make a difficult decision.

So we pivoted. One phone call led to another, and we reached out to Ranger Lori at New River Gorge. Within two days, she had secured permission to host us here. Two days. Sometimes doors open so quickly that you can't help but wonder if they were meant to be open all along.

Tonight, sitting beneath the trees at Camp Brookside, surrounded by laughter, stories, and new friendships, it's hard to imagine being anywhere else. The right people showed up. That phrase has become one of the unofficial themes of STEAM in the PARK over the years. Every camp develops its own personality, and this group arrived with enthusiasm, kindness, curiosity, and a whole lot of joy. Everywhere we looked today there were smiles, conversations, and people genuinely excited to be here.

And can we talk about the weather? After some warm days earlier this summer, the cool mountain air felt like a gift. Several educators commented that they could stay outside all day, and many of us did exactly that.

This afternoon brought two creative surprises. Our leather stamping project quickly turned into a friendly competition as participants compared designs, techniques, and finished products. Meanwhile, our nature prints exceeded every expectation. Sometimes activities work exactly as planned. Sometimes they don't. Today they turned out even better than we hoped.

One of the things that makes this week especially meaningful is the incredible commitment of our ambassadors. Not only are they leading activities, welcoming participants, and helping build community, but they also volunteered to coordinate meals and do the cooking for the week. Their willingness to serve behind the scenes reminds us that community is built by people who quietly step forward and say, "I'll help."

Tonight's first family-style dinner was exactly what a camp meal should be: simple, delicious, and shared together around the table. We enjoyed hot dogs with all the toppings—chili, onions, and sauerkraut—along with baked beans, coleslaw, and cantaloupe. A special thanks goes to our newest participant, Jennifer, who arrived with the cantaloupe and instantly became everyone's favorite produce supplier.

The evening ended with our first Gather Here Campfire, one of our new favorite traditions. There is something special about ending a day around a fire, watching faces glow in the light, listening to people share pieces of themselves, and realizing that strangers are already becoming friends.

We are also incredibly fortunate to have Ranger Lori with us for the entire week. Her willingness to spend this time with our educators is a gift, and we're excited about everything we'll learn together over the next few days.

As I write this, breakfast preparations for tomorrow are underway. The campfire is slowly fading into glowing embers. A few people are carrying chairs back toward the lodge. Others are gathering around tables, and I suspect card games are about to begin.
The day is winding down, but the week is just beginning.

New River Gorge almost didn't happen.

And yet tonight, sitting here beneath the stars, it feels exactly like where we were meant to be. Because sometimes the detour becomes the destination.

And sometimes the camp you almost missed becomes the one you'll never forget.