Why I Am Proud of Summer Program Students

• You like each other. And you act like it.
• You are putting in the necessary effort to be prepared.
• You eagerly try new things, even scary things.
• You are excited to get to know new people in new ways.
• You are very observant and very patient.
• You draw and paint and write beautifully.
• You are excited to develop fresh eyes for landscape and living things.
• You are responsible and respectful.
• You understand when it's time to take care of business.
• You understand when it's time to play.

• "I have three rules for leaders in the outdoors: You have to know where the people you're leading are coming from, you have to know what you want to do with them, and you have to love them." -Paul Petzoldt, mountaineer, founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School.

The second one is easiest. The first one is coming along well. The third, and most important, is happening. I am looking forward to spending a couple weeks on the road with you, and in the mountains, forests, meadows, streams. And I am certain that, at the end of two weeks, I will wish that we had two more. You are a group of exceptional people, and you are an exceptional group. Thanks.