Day 2 | Acadia National Park

​​Tonight's journal almost wrote itself because two campers shared reflections that captured the heart of what STEAM in the PARK is all about.

One camper talked about arriving in Acadia after a flight and a long drive feeling completely frazzled. Honestly, doesn't travel do that to all of us? But she said what happened next was what made this week so different. She shared that this group simply takes you as you are. There is no pretending to be someone you're not. It's a week to put life on the back burner, grow alongside fellow educators, laugh, and say yes to things you never imagined yourself doing. She talked about slowing down enough to notice the things in nature that are so often overlooked so that when she returns to her classroom, she'll be more intentional about noticing the child who may be struggling quietly. She finished by saying, "This week I am finding my joy, finding my people, and finding myself." I don't know that I could have summed up STEAM in the PARK any better than that.

Then another camper shared something that has stayed with me all day. She said, "One of my favorite things about STEAM in the PARK is you go at your own pace. We are all on the same walk. However, some are in front of me and some are behind me. Some stay up front talking and some stop to take pictures of everything. We all belong somewhere along the path." I immediately wrote those words down because what a beautiful reminder that there isn't one right way to experience this week. Some people love asking questions. Others quietly take everything in. Some are drawn to every wildflower, mushroom, and tide pool while others are eager to hear the next story from a ranger. Some friendships happen quickly while others take a little longer to grow. None of it is wrong because we're all walking the same path together. Those reflections stayed with me throughout the rest of the day.

Our morning began at Sieur de Monts, a place that tells the story of Acadia's beginnings. Named after Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, the French explorer connected to one of the earliest French settlements in North America, this area later became the center of George B. Dorr's dream to preserve Mount Desert Island. Standing there, it's easy to appreciate that Acadia exists today because people believed this landscape was worth protecting long before it became a national park.

From there we continued exploring Acadia National Park, and honestly, even the bus ride became part of the adventure. So many campers were able to experience parts of the park they may never have seen otherwise. Sometimes the conversations between stops are just as memorable as the destinations themselves. We also made our way to Cadillac Mountain. Looking out over Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and the rugged coastline never gets old. Named after the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the mountain has become one of Acadia's most iconic places. It's one of those views that naturally causes conversations to pause as everyone simply takes it all in.

We were fortunate to spend time with Lauren from Friends of Acadia, who helped us understand the impact invasive species have on the park and why protecting native ecosystems takes all of us. Stephanie followed with a fascinating discussion about soil stewardship, reminding us that healthy forests begin beneath our feet. It's easy to admire the trees while forgetting that everything depends on healthy soil. Tommy and Maddie introduced us to the fascinating world of beavers and freshwater ecosystems through dip netting. Watching educators become completely captivated by tiny aquatic creatures never gets old. Curiosity has no age limit, and today was proof of that.

Ranger Kate helped make today incredibly special. Every camp has people who quietly make the experience better for everyone around them, and today Kate was one of those people. Her kindness, encouragement, and willingness to help added something special to an already wonderful day.

Tonight we wrapped up by connecting everything we learned about the Civilian Conservation Corps with our CCC LEGO engineering challenge. It was amazing to watch history come alive through creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. There was plenty of laughter around the tables, but there were also some thoughtful conversations about the legacy the CCC left behind throughout our national parks.

By the time we headed back to our rooms, we were tired—but it was the kind of tired that comes from filling a day with purpose, learning, and good people. As I closed my journal tonight, I kept coming back to those two campers. One reminded me that this is a place where you can simply be yourself, a place to find your joy, your people, and maybe even a little more of yourself. The other reminded me that we're all walking the same trail this week. Some of us are out front. Some of us stop to notice every little thing. Some of us are still finding our footing. The beautiful part is that no one is expected to walk at anyone else's pace. We all belong somewhere along the path. I think that's exactly what makes STEAM in the PARK so special.