as of 2:30 PM
New ETA puts us at A.C. Stelle at 3:30 PM.
We have just left the lunch stop in Fresno. Our ETA puts us at A.C. Stelle at 4:00 PM. If that changes, I will pull over and update the blog.
Good morning, Spartan families!
We have enjoyed our final breakfast in Yosemite, checked out of our tent cabins, and loaded the buses. We are officially on our way home! Our first stop will be Tunnel View for one last photo opportunity, followed by a fresh-air break in Wawona before continuing to Fresno for lunch.
A quick note about updates: I will do my best to keep this page updated throughout the day with our departure times and estimated arrival time (ETA) at AC Stelle. Please keep in mind that I will be driving the rental van, so I will only be able to post updates during our planned stops. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Here is our travel schedule for today:
8:00–8:30 AM: Depart Curry Village
Morning: Stop at Tunnel View for a photo opportunity
Next stop: Wawona for a fresh-air break
Lunch: Our usual lunch stop in Fresno
4:00–5:00 PM: Estimated arrival at AC Stelle
We have had an incredible week exploring Yosemite, challenging ourselves on the trails, and making memories together. Now it's time to head home! I'll share updates as I can along the way, and we look forward to seeing our Spartan families back at AC Stelle this afternoon!
Our Final Night in Yosemite!
And just like that, our final day on trail has come to an end! It is hard to believe that a week ago, we were arriving in Yosemite and getting settled into our tent cabins. Since then, these students have hiked miles, challenged themselves, explored the valley, and learned so much about the natural world around them. They have also made memories and friendships that will last long after we leave the park.
Today was our final day on trail with our NatureBridge educators, and the groups made the most of every minute! Many groups spent time rock scrambling, carefully climbing over and around the giant granite boulders that make Yosemite so unique. Some groups even explored the "Bear Caves," discovering interesting rock formations and learning more about the landscape around them. Other groups focused on fire ecology, with a special emphasis on wildfire ecology. Students learned about the role fire plays in Yosemite's ecosystems, how wildfires affect the landscape, and why understanding fire is an important part of protecting these natural spaces.
After several days of hiking, our students were definitely moving a little slower this morning, but they continued to challenge themselves and persevere through one more day on trail. We are so proud of how they pushed themselves, supported one another, and embraced experiences that may have been outside their comfort zones.
Saying goodbye to their NatureBridge educators was bittersweet. After spending the week learning, hiking, and exploring together, the students had built meaningful connections with these educators. They were sad to see their time together come to an end but grateful for everything they had learned and experienced.
When the groups returned to camp, it was time to tackle one final challenge: packing up! After a week of sleeping in tent cabins, hiking, and living out of their bags, there was plenty to organize. Students worked on packing their belongings, tidying their cabins, and making sure everything was ready for our very early check-out tomorrow morning.
For our final dinner in Yosemite, we enjoyed BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, salad, corn on the cob, and peach cobbler for dessert. It was a delicious way to end our last full day in the park!
After dinner, we gathered for our final evening program, a campfire. Each trail group put together a skit highlighting one of their favorite memories from the week. There was plenty of laughter as students brought their favorite trail moments to life for everyone to enjoy.
The campfire also gave us a chance to reflect on the week and recognize the people who made it so special. Students shared what they were thankful for, including their NatureBridge educators, their classmates, their chaperones, and their families for giving them the opportunity to experience Yosemite. Hearing students reflect on their experiences was a wonderful way to bring our week together.
This trip has been about so much more than hiking. It has been about perseverance, independence, teamwork, trying new things, learning from one another, and developing a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Our students have grown in so many ways this week, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.
Now, it is time for one final night in Yosemite. Everyone is heading to bed early because we have a very early wake-up call tomorrow morning as we pack up, check out, and begin our journey home.
We are sad to leave this beautiful place, but we are heading home with tired legs, full hearts, and a whole lot of stories to share. Yosemite, thank you for an unforgettable week!
Tomorrow morning, we will pack up our last belongings, finish checking out, and say goodbye to Yosemite! We plan to leave Curry Village between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. Before leaving the park, we will stop at Tunnel View for one final photo opportunity and a chance to take in that incredible Yosemite scenery one more time.
From there, we will take Highway 41 and make a quick stop in Wawona to stretch our legs and get some fresh air after the winding mountain road. Our next stop will be Fresno, where we will return to the same location we used for lunch on the way to Yosemite. After lunch, we will load back onto the bus and continue our journey home to AC Stelle.
I will update the blog when we leave Curry Village and again when we depart Fresno. I will also provide an estimated arrival time at AC Stelle so families can plan accordingly. Please remember that our ETA may change depending on traffic and road conditions, so check the blog for the latest updates.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow and sharing stories from an unforgettable week in Yosemite!
Good morning, Spartan families!
Today is a big day for our students because it is their last day on trail! After several days of hiking, exploring, challenging themselves, and discovering Yosemite in ways that most visitors never get to experience, our students are heading out for one final day with their NatureBridge educators.
We started the morning with a breakfast of mixed fruit, regular and gluten-free French toast, turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and a variety of cereals.
After several days of hiking, it is safe to say that everyone is moving a little slower this morning! Their legs are definitely feeling the miles they have put in this week. But even with tired legs, our students are ready to challenge themselves and make the most of one more day on trail.
Today’s focus is Yosemite Valley. Our students will spend the day learning more about the incredible place they have been exploring all week, looking beyond the scenery to understand the geology, ecology, history, and people that have shaped Yosemite. Their NatureBridge educators have spent the week teaching them to slow down, look closely, ask questions, and notice details they might otherwise miss. Today gives them one more opportunity to put those skills into practice.
It is also their final day learning alongside the NatureBridge educators who have guided them through the trails, encouraged them through the challenging hikes, answered their questions, and helped them make connections between what they see around them and what they have learned throughout the week.
This week has asked a lot of them. They have hiked miles, climbed steep trails, dealt with the hot temperatures, slept in cabins, carried their own gear, worked together, and pushed through moments when their legs were tired and they wondered how much farther they had to go. And they kept going.
Today is a chance to take it all in. One last day on trail. One last day with their NatureBridge educators. One last day of learning in Yosemite.
Today was definitely a day that our students will remember! Three groups headed out for their challenge hikes, while the group that hiked yesterday had another full day on the trail. So, while the challenge hike groups were certainly challenged by some tough terrain, our other students had their own challenge: getting back out there and persevering for another day of hiking after yesterday’s adventure.
Our three challenge hike groups took on some of Yosemite’s more demanding trails. One group tackled the Yosemite Falls Trail, making their way up to “Oh My Goodness” Point. The trail climbs steadily through the granite landscape, and the higher they went, the more spectacular the views became. It was a tough climb, but the students kept moving and encouraged each other along the way. Unfortunately, there was no water flowing down Yosmeite Falls that the students were able to visit. Maybe on their next trip!
The other two groups took on the Mist Trail, where the challenge came in the form of steep granite steps, elevation gain, and the Merced River beside them. One group made it all the way to Clark’s Point, while the other made it just past Vernal Falls. The students definitely earned those views! Those groups were lucky to find a very slight trickle of water falling down Vernal Falls.
These hikes were challenging for sure, but so was simply sticking with it. Students had to manage tired legs, stay hydrated, eat enough to keep their energy up, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. It was great to see them encouraging their friends and discovering that they could push through something that was difficult.
And for the group that was back on the trail for a second day, they had to dig deep in a different way. After a full day of hiking yesterday, they had to wake up, lace up their shoes, and do it all over again. That takes perseverance, too!
For dinner tonight, we had orange chicken, rice, vegetable egg rolls, fried tofu, mixed vegetable stir-fry, salad, and pudding. After another full day outside, everyone was definitely ready for dinner!
Tonight’s evening program was stargazing, and the students even created a skit about the Big Dipper. It was pretty entertaining to watch them come up with their own ideas and perform together.
One of my favorite parts of this trip is seeing what happens during the students’ free time. They have been playing catch, cards, Mafia, and different tag games that the NatureBridge educators have introduced throughout the week. It has been so much fun watching them find ways to play together, make new friends, laugh, and enjoy being outside without needing a screen.
It was another big day in Yosemite, and I think we will have some very tired Spartans tonight! Tomorrow brings another day of adventure, and we’ll see what Yosemite has in store for us next.
We have officially reached the HALFWAY POINT of our Yosemite adventure! It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the trip. Our students have settled into camp, figured out the NatureBridge routine, gotten to know their groups, and have already accomplished so much. They are becoming pretty experienced Yosemite campers!
We had a great night at camp, and this morning we were reminded that we are definitely not the only group staying at NatureBridge. Another school arrived last night and brought a whole new crew of campers to camp. They were up and moving this morning, so our students got to hear some of the excitement of a new group arriving while they are already HALFWAY through their adventure! It was a funny reminder of just how far our Spartans have come since we arrived.
We are currently enjoying breakfast in the Curry Village Dining Hall. This morning's breakfast included mixed fruit, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, regular and gluten-free Belgian waffles, and a variety of cereals to choose from. There were plenty of options to get everyone fueled up for a big day!
And speaking of fueling up... most of our students are taking on their Challenge Hike today! These hikes are a big part of the NatureBridge experience and give students the opportunity to challenge themselves on the trail. Some students will be hiking farther and pushing themselves more than they have on previous days, so we are making sure they have what they need to keep those legs moving!
We have also learned an important Yosemite lesson: hungry students + dehydrated students = grumpy students! So, A.E. Wright has been supplementing the NatureBridge snacks with a variety of snacks from home, along with making sure students have plenty of extra water available throughout the day. We want our Spartans fueled, hydrated, happy, and ready to enjoy every mile!
After breakfast, we will head out for another day of hiking and exploring Yosemite. We can't wait to see what today's Challenge Hikes bring!
Halfway done, but definitely not done having fun! Stay tuned for more pictures and updates this evening!
*The AQI is currently 30 this morning.
Today was another wonderful day on the trail! Our students spent the day exploring the west end of Yosemite Valley, and each group had the opportunity to experience a little something different.
One group took on a challenge hike toward Vernal Fall and made their way to Clark’s Point, where they enjoyed their lunch surrounded by some pretty spectacular Yosemite scenery. The other groups explored the meadow in front of El Capitan, where they learned about the geology and history of this incredible area. Some students even found a little time to slow down and watercolor a Yosemite scene. It was a great reminder that being in nature doesn't always have to mean hiking. Sometimes it means sitting quietly and taking in what is around you.
It was a warm one today! Temperatures reached about 88 degrees in the meadow, so the Merced River was a very welcome sight. On their way back to camp, students had another opportunity to cool off in the river, and they took full advantage of it! The cold water has felt so good after a long, warm day of hiking. I think the students would all agree that Yosemite's version of air conditioning is pretty fantastic!
When the students arrived back at camp, I had them share a high and low from their day in order to earn a sweet treat. The highs were plentiful. The spectacular views, exploring the west end of the valley, spending time with friends, and getting into the river were definitely favorites. The most common lows? Tired feet and discovering just how COLD that Merced River really is!
Some of our students also had the opportunity to visit the gift shop today, while the remaining students will get their chance tomorrow. You may notice some fun Yosemite souvenirs making their way home on Friday!
We are continuing our daily journaling, too. Each day, students take some time to reflect on what they have experienced, what they have learned, and how they are connected to the natural world around them. It has been really special to see them slowing down, noticing their surroundings, and thinking about Yosemite in a way that goes beyond simply seeing the sights.
Dinner tonight was beef and vegetarian burgers with regular and gluten-free buns, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tater tots, and a cookie for dessert. After another long day on the trail, the burgers and tater tots were definitely a hit!
Tonight's night program took us to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, which was about a 3-mile round-trip walk from camp in the evening. The students competed in Yosemite Jeopardy, and let's just say they got VERY competitive! There was plenty of cheering, laughing, and a little good-natured arguing over answers, but everyone had a blast.
The walk back to camp gave us one more special Yosemite moment. We stopped in the meadow to stargaze, and the Milky Way was especially apparent tonight. With the valley quiet around us and the stars stretching across the sky, it was a beautiful way to end the evening.
Another full and memorable day in Yosemite! The students are tired, happy, well fed, and continuing to make memories that we hope they will talk about for a very long time. We are so grateful that we get to share this experience with them.
Good morning from Yosemite! We woke up to another beautiful morning in the valley, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. After a very full first day yesterday, everyone was ready for a good night's sleep, and the students were up and moving this morning, getting ready for another day of adventure!
A quick update on the air quality: the AQI is currently 64. It mostly smells like campfires around the valley. So far, though, the smoke of the Dome Fire has been cooperating with us! We are keeping an eye on conditions throughout the day and following all guidance from NatureBridge and NPS.
We started the morning with a hearty breakfast that had something for everyone! The students had fruit, scrambled eggs, French toast sticks, turkey sausage, oatmeal, cereal, and tofu eggs. There were also gluten-free pancakes available. Needless to say, everyone had plenty of options to fuel up before heading out for the day!
One of the really cool parts of this trip is watching the students become more independent as they learn what their bodies need when they are spending an entire day outside. They are learning to be responsible for their own water, snacks, and energy levels and to recognize when they need to stop, hydrate, eat, or take a break.
Our trail groups just headed out with their NatureBridge educators for Day 2 on the trail! They are continuing to build relationships within their groups, practice teamwork, and learn about Yosemite while exploring it firsthand.
There is something pretty special about seeing students experience Yosemite this way. They aren't just visiting the park and looking at the scenery. They are hiking through it, playing in the river, learning from their educators, getting a little tired, getting a little dirty, and making memories with their friends.
Everything is going smoothly, and we are looking forward to another great day! We will share another update this evening with all of the details from today's adventures.
Have a wonderful day, Spartan families! We are off to another day in Yosemite!
WOW! What an amazing first full day in Yosemite! Our students met their NatureBridge educators, played icebreaker games, and started learning what it means to be part of a trail group where everyone contributes and works together.
Today was full of adventure! Our groups explored Yosemite, spent time along the Merced River, and even got in the water to cool off. We also played lots of games together along the river, which was a great way to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have some fun with our groups! So groups even were able to rock scramble and explore the caves that the boulders created.
For dinner tonight, we had lasagna, zucchini, salad, breadsticks, a salad bar, and red velvet cake for dessert. Gluten-free noodles and marinara sauce were also available for students who needed them.
Tonight's evening program was led by our NatureBridge educators, who kept the students engaged after a full day of exploring. We played more nighttime games along the Merced River. After the program, we headed back to camp to get ready for bed.
The students are TIRED and ready for some much-needed sleep! Tomorrow, we will wake up and do it all over again.
What a fantastic first day! We are so excited for everything still to come this week. Goodnight from Yosemite!
We all slept amazing last night. It was so warm many of us didn't even turn the heater on in our cabins! Currently the students are eating breakfast. We have a buffet of a variety of cereals, fruit bars, pancakes, turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, and breakfast potatoes. After breakfast we will go back to our cabins and get ready to meet our NatureBridge educators and our first day on the trail! Stay tuned!
I tried to add photos last night, but only a few will load. I hope to be able to add some more today.
The AQi this morning is 26. We cannot smell or see any smoke. It looks like things are moving in our favor.
Well, they are all asleep! I didn't even have to patrol very long! Lights were out by 10 and almost all were asleep with 15 minutes.
Dinner was delicious! Chicken tenders, deep-fried tofu, broccoli, tater tots, salad, and a variety of cake desserts! We didn't hear any complaints, and we saw them pile their plates! We took our hike to the Lower River Amphitheater. NatureBridge staff reviewed the rules of camp, our itinerary for the week, and the students ended up making and performing skits about what they learned. It was very cute to watch.
Wake-up time is 6:50 in time for our early breakfast at 7:20. Stay tuned tomorrow for more updates and more photos!
We made it! After a very long travel day, we arrived at Curry Village around 4:00 this afternoon. The students received a welcome orientation, received their cabin keys, moved into their cabins, and we just sat down for dinner. After dinner we will go back and get a little bit more settled in. Tonight we have our first night program, where we will walk to the Lower River Amphitheater to have a fun, interactive welcome program. Once we get back to camp, we will get ready for bed and try to go to sleep as quickly as we can so that we can wake up bright and early and get ready for our first day on the trail.
Currently the AQI is 52. It is really clear, and we can barely smell any smoke. YAY!