- Liz

Alaska Is...

      Alaska is…
A panorama view and a bright orange patch of lichen
A soggy tent and a hot bowl of homemade chili
Hyper freshman and veteran van drivers
A close encounter with wolves and a distant grizzly bear
A 10K sprint and a 2 hour chance to meet someone new
Porch parties, van songs and quiet reflections, blue and green
Peanut butter sandwiches and fresh wild salmon
Social butterflies and those who are quietly clever
Daily cups of coffee and rarely seen orcas playing off the bow
Alaska is complex, familiar and always an experience like none other

Final Reflections

         During my three summers from AGLP, many things have changed.  Kids these days all have cell phones and so phone cards and long lines at the phones are a thing of the past.  Now kids can climb to the top of a mountain and call home to say look at what I accomplished.  Everyone has a digital camera so that pictures are instantly gratifying. 
         However, most things have not changed.  This trip is still so eye opening for all the students involved.  They still learn and grow so much over the course of three weeks.  They climb mountains, learn how to do laundry, and begin seeing the world around them in a different way.  Their universe expands with the friends they make, the places they see and the way they became more self-sufficient.  I hope that this project continues on for a very long time because the rewards for all involved are endless.