From Boots to Beginnings: A Year of Growth in the Wild

June always sneaks up on me — not because I’m unprepared, but because I’m not ready to say goodbye…

As another school year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting not on grades or checklists, but on moments. The kind that don’t show up on a transcript, but shape a person all the same. This year, like so many before it, was lived outside — in mud, on mountaintops, through rain and snow and wonder.

I think about the first adventure of the year — packs too loose, boots too clean, nervous energy riding high. I think about that same group months later, confidently navigating trails, encouraging one another, laughing in the kind of way that only happens after shared struggle and shared awe. These weren’t just outdoor adventures. They were leadership labs. Life lessons. Quiet revolutions.

To the students leaving the Outdoor Leadership program and graduating this June: you didn’t just pass the course. You became part of something bigger.

You showed resilience when the weather turned.

You showed courage when the map didn’t match the landscape.

You showed empathy when a teammate fell behind.

And you showed me — time and time again — that the next generation of leaders is ready. Ready to lead their own adventures and inspire the world they vist!

Outdoor education has a way of revealing character. It humbles and empowers in the same breath. This year, I watched you grow not just as students, but as stewards — of the land, of each other, and of your own learning. You carried more than just backpacks on those trips. You carried stories, responsibilities, and a growing sense of self.

As you head into your next adventure — whether it’s high school, work, travel, or whatever wild unknown calls your name — know this: the trail doesn’t end here. Every experience, every challenge, every sunset you’ve paused to admire has left a mark. And those lessons will continue to guide you, long after the boots come off.

Thank you for walking this path with me.

For the other Educators and Leaders out there:

What moment from this year — big or small — changed the way you see yourself?