“Everyday was a new adventure...””
Every year, STEP partners with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) to send a group of rising high school seniors to the wilderness of Alaska to test their limits and discover what they’re capable of when they leave their comfort zones.
This past summer, 36 STEPPERs accepted the invitation to kayak in Prince William Sound or backpack the Talkeetna Mountains for three weeks. No comforts. No amenities. No technology (including cell phones!).
Team building workshops and outdoor education classes helped the students learn basic skills necessary for the trip — but could anything truly prepare them for the opportunity (and challenge) of a lifetime?
Here’s what they said.
Leslie V.
North High School
Leslie is pictured second from the left.
The Alaskan Expedition showed me how strong and courageous I am. It taught me how to be a good leader and how to be more decisive. It showed me that, while I can make a final decision on things, a good leader still listens to others, is considerate and understanding, and takes intentional time to bond with their team.
All these skills will help me—not only in high school or college—but also in life. I am more ready to challenge myself and push beyond my comfort zone. Thanks to the STEP Alaskan Expedition, I now know that I can overcome any challenges that are thrown my way.
Samantha M.
Bioscience High School
Before embarking on the STEP Alaskan Expedition, I felt scared and nervous—but excited, too. I had never camped before. The first night in Alaska, I was pretty shy. It was hard being away from my family and surrounded by people I didn’t really know. But as the trip went on, I felt more confident and started to come out of my shell. I learned leadership skills and how to socialize with anyone in any environment. I now know that if I can survive the wilderness, I know I can survive college.
Danny T.
Rincon High School
The STEP Alaskan Expedition pushed me out of my comfort zone. I'm not a social person. Sure, I can be put in a group and tell people what to do, but that's not working as a team. Team work requires understanding others—their strengths, weaknesses, dislikes, likes, and more. I learned that this helps you build stronger relationships and work more efficiently as a group. And that was my favorite part of the trip: having conversations and interactions with my peers and teachers. Everyone had such unique personalities and backgrounds. We sang, we laughed, we cried; it was amazing.
Overall, the STEP Alaskan Expedition helped me strengthen my confidence, courage, mindfulness, independence, and leadership. It taught me that being a lone wolf is lonely. It's much more enjoyable when you can share your life with others.
Thank you to the STEP donors for making the STEP Alaskan Expedition possible. You're the reason why STEP is...well, STEP! You enable low-income students to experience things they'd NEVER be able to do otherwise. You make it possible for kids who don't have readily accessible resources to realize their dreams. In a way, it's kind of your superpower. From a singular act of making a donation, you change kids' lives forever.
Melissa O.
Camelback High School
Taking initiative during the STEP Alaskan Expedition was my biggest hurdle. I'm usually the quiet kid in class, but experience required us to share opinions and thoughts with our peers. Everyday was a new adventure. In the end, I created so many new memories and friendships.
The Alaskan Expedition taught me to believe in myself more. Before it, I was a shy person. Even small tasks like raising my hand in class made my heart race and hands sweat. Talking to new people and taking on leadership roles gave me a newfound sense of courage and confidence.
I encourage future STEP students to go on the Alaskan Expedition. It was a life changing experience for me, and I grew as a person, peer, and leader. I have no words to describe how thankful I am for this opportunity.
Sarah R.
North High School
Most of my time is occupied with schoolwork. I was so excited to be going on the STEP Alaskan Expedition and experiencing something new.
The long hikes with the heavy backpacks on hot, summer days were the most challenging. But singing tunes with my team while traversing the trails for hours on end made it more manageable.
In the end, I learned that I am a capable leader, good at connecting with others, and fully comfortable living by myself. I discovered my love for being independent. Alaska only made me more excited and ready for college and all that my future has in store.
Aaron T.
University High (Tolleson)
Being in Alaska emphasized to me the importance of tolerating adversity. There were many times when I had to adjust to a new schedule, wake up earlier, or continue a search for a campable site.
I learned that my mental strength overpowers my physical strength. For instance, some days my arms felt sore, my back hurt, and my ankles felt overworked, but as long as I focused on my desire to succeed, I could kayak endlessly. There was a day when we needed to kayak 14 miles, which equated to seven hours. Physically, I was tired, but I thought about the songs I liked and memories I'd made with friends so far. That helped me work through it with a smile on my face.
Moving forward from the expedition, I will continue to face the fear of the unknown with my head held high. I will stay adaptable and cool-headed when my plans don't work out. And most importantly, I won't give up my goals—even when I fail.
Letura K.
Buckeye Union High School
Letura is the fourth from the left in the standing row.
There were so many moments during the STEP Alaskan Expedition when I questioned myself, my surroundings and my ability to keep going. But being a delegated leader taught me how to believe in myself in order to lead my group down the right path and toward our destination. Of course, I still encountered challenges, but leading my team and learning from my mistakes caused my confidence to slowly improve.
My favorite memory from the expedition was when we hiked over Mount Monarch's pass. Looking at the trail the day before, all I could think about was how much elevation we had to gain and how hard it would be to climb something that seemed so high. To my surprise, I had a ton of fun. We climbed over a lot of snow, saw many beautiful flowers and the view from the top was amazing. It honestly didn't even feel like I was hiking but rather enjoying myself and the present moment.
There are still tough moments ahead but now I know that the good times will always overshadow them. Thanks to the STEP Alaskan Expedition, I now have bonds and memories that I’ll remember for a lifetime.
Katelyn P.
University High (Tolleson)
My favorite memory from the STEP Alaskan Expedition occurred at our very first campsite. A friend and I were talking near our tents and invited other people to join us. We all formed a circle and talked about our personal experiences and school lives. That conversation helped me relieve uncertainty or anxiety. I enjoyed laughing and talking without any judgment. It was just the ice breaker I needed and made communicating for the rest of the trip a lot easier.
The Alaskan Expedition made me realize that I need to learn how to take care of myself more. Self-care was something that was difficult for me. Throughout the trip, our instructor taught me new methods of self-care. I've learned that before I can take care of others, I have to make sure that I take care of myself.
Yuliana M.
Nogales High School
A contagious positive attitude can uplift the spirits of others around you and raise morale in a world with pessimists and cynics. "Why am I doing this?" I kept asking myself, as I encountered a steep mountain with a 45-pound pack, however, the scenery and feeling of accomplishment made everything worth it.
I learned that the struggle is worth every beautiful moment. All you have to do is move forward one step at a time. You may be attempting to ascend slippery and difficult terrain, or rigorous college courses, but millions of people have done so successfully.
In many ways, college is similar to a short but difficult trail. We all too frequently give up on our ambitions and goals as we travel through this life because of difficulties, discouragement, or hopelessness. On the other hand, hiking trails teach you that as long as you put one foot in front of another, you are progressing. Although it may be a straightforward lesson about hiking, when it is applied to your life and to education, it will have a significant impact. But I realized that if I could subsist on the trail while carrying a 50-pound pack, I will thrive during college.