- Annette

Alaska Is...

      Alaska is the most special place in the whole world.  People go to Alaska for many different reasons.  Those who go find beauty, peace and serenity, existing like a little piece of heaven on Earth, in a place called Alaska.  Strangers become family and the whole world becomes a smaller place.

Final Reflections

            Holy Cow!  I can’t believe how very fast this trip has gone by.  We began with weather that made us wonder if we had enough clothes on to keep us warm at night, and is ending with short sleeves and shorts and sunny days.  In between, we had snowball fights and went swimming and before it was over, we did them in the same day, at the same amazing place.  Through the entire trip, bonds grew with those around us as we said goodbye to some and welcomed others. 
            Our family has grown.  I see AGLP as one big family; from those who travel, to those who live in Alaska, to those who are back home that we call to share a moment (and usually a laugh!) with.  We are all held together by the bonds that were formed because of our experiences with AGLP.
            Family has been an especially big part of our trip this year as three of the four of our immediate family were all here together, yet we added to our family through the bonds each of us made on our own during the trip.
            It has been an amazing three weeks with this incredible group of people.  The adults are all so supportive of each other and the kids.  The kids on the trip are the really amazing part!  They try new things, push themselves as hard as they can, support and include each other, work together, get along, and laugh and cry together!  The junior leaders teach the younger ones how to love Alaska in their own way, how to work hard and how to be responsible through the examples they set as they learn to become stronger leaders.  It is a privilege to watch kids learn this way.
            This has been my third trip to Alaska and it just keeps getting better!  The scenery is amazing—there aren’t enough “beautiful” adjectives in any dictionary to describe how pretty it is here, but here is so much more to AGLP than just seeing Alaska.  Seeing AGLP is about the people.  Watching kids as they experience so many “firsts” is like watching babies change and grow.  The kids really do grow and mature a lot on the trip and have learned lessons that will help shape them into the young adults they are quickly becoming. 
            I try to live my own life with lessons AGLP has taught me.  The FISH philosophy reminds me to stay positive and take the time to play along the way as well as letting others know how much I appreciate them.  Climbing mountains has taught me perseverance.  I say this because I don’t always make it, but it’s okay, I will try again and again for as long as I can because someday, when I finally make it to the top, the view, and sense of accomplishment will overwhelm all of the struggles.  Life is like that too.  Get through the struggles and push on.
            The thing I hate most are the goodbyes.  You never know what the future holds, so I say goodbye and keep the faith that I will return and realize the privilege that it has all been in the first place.