Olympic STEAM in the PARK – Day 3 Reflections

There are days that slip by, and then there are days that settle in and stay with you—and today felt like one of those. Paddling across Lake Crescent in traditional Salish canoes, surrounded by misty mountains and glassy water, it felt like time slowed down just enough for us to notice the details—the laughter between strokes, the quiet strength of teamwork, and the beauty of a place that’s held stories for thousands of years.

A few unofficial canoe races may have broken out (you know who you are), and we learned that Lake Crescent is nearly 650 feet deep, carved by ancient glaciers and steeped in natural wonder.

After lunch, some campers hit the trails. They gave Storm King a valiant effort—didn’t quite reach the top today, but several are already planning a rematch tomorrow. Others headed to Marymere Falls, where cool mist and ranger wisdom made for a perfect pairing. Rangers Alex and Coady led us with heart, and yes, Coady pulled off a flawless waterfall dance with just a little encouragement from me. 💃

The afternoon shifted to creativity with a Manet & Monet-inspired art session, co-led by camper and fantastic art teacher Laura Lester. With brushes in hand and forest light all around, we painted what we saw—and maybe what we felt, too.

Dinner was burrito night, and the day closed with a truly special moment: time spent with members of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. They welcomed us with stories and taught us to make wooden red cedar roses, a beautiful tradition rich in meaning and memory.

It was a day full of movement and stillness, of learning and laughter, of nature and community. And we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 💚
#STEAMinthePARK #OlympicReflections #CanoesAndCedar #HeartWideOpen