Yosemite Memories and Photos

On December 13th, 2009, 31 students from EXCEL High School in West Oakland and 10 chaperones boarded a bus to Yosemite National Park.  Rose Foundation’s Program Associate Myesha Williams chaperoned the students on a week-long Yosemite Institute (YI) trip intended to bridge city youth with the natural world.  The students, 9-12 graders, opted out of their regular coursework to attend what is essentially nature school for one week in the snow-filled Yosemite Valley.  

Throughout the week we learned about the history of the Yosemite Valley from it’s indigenous settlers, to wars that were waged on the land, to how the National Park was created.  Each day the students, split into three groups of about 10 students and lead by a Yosemite Institute instructor, explored a different part of the valley.  Equipped with snow boots and gear, backpacks full of water, food for lunch and snacks, and our field journals, we hiked for hours each day. We participated in team building exercises that tested our will, our physical capabilities, our fears, and our ability to work as a team to survive. 

The spider caves were one such experience.  To get through the spider cave, we had to rely on each other to give us direction on how to maneuver our way through the pitch-black cave into the light at the other end.  We had to stick together and communicate extremely well.  We had to take care of each other.  It was a beautiful and intense experience.  

Throughout the week we learned many survival skills:  how to identify animal tracks in the snow,  how to identify different trees and plants growing in the valley, what was edible and what wasn’t, how to make fresh spring water drinkable, and how to encourage our other group members to push through difficult challenges.  Some of the students received a blessing from the river by dunking their heads in the cold river water as part of YI tradition.  And of course there was time for building snowmen/women and snowball fights!

The students adapted really well to weather conditions that were totally unfamiliar to most of them.  The valley floor was covered in snow and we often had to hike through snow as high as four feet. And one group was successful at hiking to the top of the Yosemite Falls trail!

Toward the end of the trip the students participated in a Hetch Hetchy debate and learned about the history of this dam and the points of view of different people affected by the decision to dam this water source.  

Overall the students gained a new appreciation for the natural world. They learned perseverance and how to enjoy the journey.  They realized their tremendous inner strength and the power of a positive attitude.