Summer is almost gone. The fireweed is done blooming and my job here in Alaska is over. I enjoyed my time here. I had good times and bad times, but I annot say that I regret coming to Alaska. On the contrary I am very pleased to have spent a summer here: the staff I worked with were some of the most dedicated environmental educators I have ever met, the kids were fun, teaching was rewarding, my host family was like my own family, and the scenery in Alaska was great.
From the first day of staff training I knew that i was going to have a great summer because I saw that I was surrounded by a great group of people. Everyone was so committed not only to teaching environmental concepts, but also environmental ethics. Modeling the most environmentally friendly behavior was a way of life, like healthy lunch awards and envolvment in public service projects. My Director, Thomas Burek, was always there for me when I needed advice. My Program Manager, Kolleen "Koliflower"Yake, was always there to work with me when problems arose and help with behavior management. I had the best interns that helped me out whenever I needed it and always gave more than was expected of them. All wonderful people.
The kids that I worked with here in Anchorage were great. Some perfect from the start and others that needed a little more attention. I learned a great deal about how bright the smile on a child's face can be, and how to keep one glowing like a warm fire. I found that 8 and 9 year old kids are much bigger than I had previously believed. They caught on to the lessons that I taught them quite well and made me proud when they put them into action. I'll never forget the week I had two campers, Trevor and Olivia, that never wanted to stop hiking. Then there was Lige, the counselor in training, that was always helpful and mature beyond his age. How about my little orientering pal, Chris, who took onto map and compass and treated me like his big brother. I also had a little friend in preschool, Madison, that would run up to me and give me a hug every time that she saw me making my darkest days bright.
Having a host family up here in the great land was helpful beyond measure. I stayed with Mike, Diane, and Anson Moxness in a neighborhood near the water in downtown Anchorage. They were there for me when ever I needed anything, and there to hang out with after work. I really enjoyed eating dinner with a family everyday after work, mountain biking, climbing at the rock gym, and just spending time talking about anything that was on our minds. I even grew to love Luna, their Polish Sheep Dog with personality. We all had some great adventures together and my summer would not have been nearly as great without them. I'll never forget all the time I spent chatting with Mike about the outdoors, talking with Diane about camp, and just goofing off with Anson. I hope to see them all again some time soon.
What can I say about the scenery in Alaska. Well it is not called the "Great Land" for no reason. My father and I took five rolls worhte of pictures in a week!!! So that should sum it up nicely. I will write another web page dedicated to my two weeks of travels in Alaska next. So keep tuned into www.geocities.com/cmwcolebrook/ to hear all about me going to Denali National Park with five beautiful women and driving down the Kenai Peninsula with my Pops to see our boat drive through icebergs from a glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park.
