- Family Weekend: Dec 13-15, 2013
- 2013 Family Weekend
- Yosemite National Park: Crane Flat and Yosemite Valley
33 participants came out from Los Angeles and Stockton to celebrate the holidays in Yosemite National Park.
Eight alumni from the WildLink program brought their friends and family up to Yosemite for a weekend of playing in the snow, going on hikes, eating good food, and spending time around the campfire. Highlights from the weekend included hikes to "OMG Rock" and Columbia Point on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail and a journey through a dark cave - once with lights on and once with them off! Around the campfire on the last night, participants shared about the things they love about their communities and what they would like to change, and they all brainstormed ways to bring their experience at Family Weekend back to their homes.
Some quotes and photos of our participants:
"I loved everything, especially the challenging hike where we saw such an amazing view."
Emily is Superwoman!
"Thank you so much for this opportunity. This is such a beautiful place and they do such a wonderful job and they're hard workers to accommodate the guests and keep them happy. This is a perfect program for people who cannot afford this trip."
Gretania and Shennon hang out by Lower Yosemite Falls.
"I was reminded again why I want to get in to environmental education. Everyone - no matter what background - should be able to experience the outdoors."
Avingston sizes up the competition for an impending snowball fight.
"If it weren't for WildLink, I don't think I would have been able to visit Yosemite (to be completely honest, I had never heard of it; I Googled Yosemite before coming up). It definitely opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. And with WildLink Family Weekend, I'm determined to some day bring my parents. They need a break from the city more than I do, and that's something this program allows to happen."
Shemariel makes a snow angel.
"Wilderness makes you realize how fortunate you are to be alive. It nurtures your soul and gives you new eyes to see beyond a tree, see its function in nature."
Some of the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail group on their way up!
"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and with WildLink's help, families like mine can come together and enjoy quality time."
Siblings "Moose" and Diego play in the snow together.
"I'm 15 years old. I've never seen snow until this trip and it was amazing. Never have I been able to have a trip as cold and fun!"
All smiles from the Meza family.
"The intergenerational component is powerful. I loved watching a mother hike with us in order to bond with her daughter. It was priceless."
Mel and Lizbeth catch the view on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail.