Anna S

Alaska Is

Alaska is a home I keep coming back to. It's a way to measure my own groth as I watch others around me grow in their own ways. Its still being amazing by mountains and wildlife, by how comfortable a sleeping bag can be after a long day, by how 8th graders can be so funny that you snort with laughter.
Alaska is writing as much as you can in your journal, but knowing you cant capture it all through word. Its piddidle, and raincoats, and not buying too much ice cream.
Its prasing cherries and coffee and warm beds and all the perks of living in a house, but loving the world so much more for accepting us into nature and getting by with what we have.
            Alaska is explaining your differences and learning who you are through it. Its being treated like an adult, and actually feeling like one. Alaska houses a piece of my soul and always will.

Final Reflections

I’m not quite sure what to say. I’m not going to tell you that this has been a perfect three weeks, that would be a lie. This trip, like all the others I have experienced, was full of frustrations and arguments, mistakes and consequences, anger and drama. But this is the nature of the human condition, is it not? And here is why this trip is so special:  through all of these negative elements in our lives, everyone shines in Alaska. We work out our problems- there is nowhere to hide your anger and sadness, it all comes out and I think everyone is the better for it.

            Last night, at the pool party, there was a giant yellow floaty-toy in the deep end. Most kids gravitated toward it, climbing on top of it, playing a king-of-the-hill-esque game of wrestling and shouting. I swam back to the side of the pool and watched the others at their play. Yes, it was chaos, yes, a few people walked away with bruises, but if you looked closely, you could see how they helped each other, how everyone got up eventually, and how it was fun, really fun. This is what AGLP is: chaotic, crazy, but kind, thoughtful, and fun. These 8th graders have changed from children into young adults- mature, independent, and a lot more caring.

            I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the kind of person I want to become. I am at a turning point in my life, and I really believe that AGLP has affected my course in life. After going on this trip 4 times, I have not only gained an immense knowledge of the geography, botany, animals, and culture of Alaska, figured out how to feed 75 people three times a day, met many many new people, but discovered what is important to me, and gained confidence in myself. Thank you Alaska, thank you.