Day 2: North Cascades National Park

 ​"There are friends for a season, friends for a reason, and then there are the forever friends you never expected to find around a campfire, on a trail, or beside a glacial lake."

Day 2 at STEAM in the PARK: North Cascades National Park reminded us that the greatest gift of our national parks isn't just the scenery—it's the people they bring together.

Our morning began with a truly special visit from Acting Superintendent Jason Taylor, a longtime friend from our years together at Indiana Dunes National Park. Jason has been one of the biggest supporters of Expeditions in Education. Seeing him now serving at North Cascades National Park felt like watching a friend doing exactly what he was meant to do. Jason is at his very best when he's sharing his love for nature, connecting people to these remarkable places, and reminding others why our national parks matter. His enthusiasm is contagious, and whether he's talking about the landscape, the wildlife, or the mission of the National Park Service, you can tell this isn't just a job—it's his calling.

He generously spent part of his morning with our educators, sharing stories, answering questions, and encouraging all of us to continue building connections between classrooms and our public lands. It was a wonderful reminder that the parks are made even more meaningful because of people like Jason—people whose passion, kindness, and commitment inspire others to care a little more deeply for the world around them.

Thank you, Jason, for your friendship, your encouragement over the years, and for continuing to help others discover the wonder of nature. We couldn't have imagined a better way to begin our day. We are incredibly grateful that he spent part of his day with us. It felt less like welcoming a guest and more like reconnecting with family.

From there, we made our way to the breathtaking shoreline of Diablo Lake for our official group photo. Standing together on the banks of that impossibly turquoise water, surrounded by peaks that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, we captured more than a photograph. We captured a moment in the story of fifty STEAM in the PARK camps—a reminder that educators from across the country continue to say yes to learning, adventure, and one another.

Back at the North Cascades Institute, Ambassador Chelsea led a beautiful SEL activity called Shadow Buddies. Campers traced one another's hands and filled them with words describing the strengths, gifts, and qualities they saw in each other. It was a simple exercise with a powerful reminder: sometimes the things we see in others are the very things they struggle to see in themselves. There is something deeply encouraging about hearing your strengths spoken by someone else.

Next came one of our favorite community-building activities, To Each Its Own, and KT did a beautiful job facilitating this opportunity for our campers. As always, she created a space where different perspectives weren't just welcomed—they were celebrated. It reminded all of us that there isn't one right way to experience nature, solve a problem, or see the world. Diversity of thought is one of the greatest strengths any community can have.

After a camera walk that encouraged us to slow down and notice the little things, campers enjoyed a bit of free time before gathering for lunch at the amphitheater overlooking the lake. Good food always seems to taste a little better when the mountains are your dining companions.

The afternoon invited us into our Rewilding session, enriched by thoughtful insights from campers Stephanie and Nathalie. Rewilding isn't simply about landscapes. It's about remembering the parts of ourselves that become buried beneath busy schedules, endless to-do lists, and the constant pace of everyday life. It asks us to notice, to breathe, and to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with ourselves.

Free time looked different for everyone, and that might be one of the best parts of camp. Several adventurous campers tackled the 3.5-mile round-trip hike to Sourdough Creek Waterfall, winding through towering old-growth forest, crossing lively mountain streams, and finally arriving at a beautiful cascading waterfall tucked into the North Cascades wilderness. The trail offered quiet moments beneath giant trees, countless shades of green, and the kind of peaceful conversations that only seem to happen while walking through a forest. Others chose naps, books, porch conversations, or simply the joy of sitting still in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Following an incredible Greek-themed dinner, we headed out for one of the most creative evenings of the week. After asking permission from the plants—and saying thank you—we gently gathered leaves and flowers, pounding and pressing their natural pigments into beautiful inspirational note cards. It was another reminder that art and science often begin with careful observation and gratitude.

Then... KAMPioKE happened. Let's just say there is no shortage of talent—or courage—in this group.

Our ambassadors had everyone laughing and singing along to Girls Just Want to Have Fun, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. Then Kayla, Marge, Alex, and Rodney absolutely stole the show with their spirited performance of Goodbye Earl. By the end of the night, everyone was cheering, laughing, clapping, and realizing that sometimes the best memories happen when we're willing to look just a little bit silly together.

As the music faded, hugs replaced microphones.

Now, as the evening settles over North Cascades, some campers are braving the icy waters once again, others are deep into competitive UNO games, while small groups continue conversations on porches, in cabins, and beneath the stars.

It feels a little less like a group of educators now. It feels like the beginning of forever friends.

And perhaps that's one of the quiet miracles of STEAM in the PARK. We arrive hoping to learn about national parks, but somewhere along the way, we discover one another.

That's a lesson worth taking home.