Home from Alaska!

Everyone headed home on July 9 and the blog of the trip is complete -- stay tuned for trip photos to be distributed to NLC 2012 families and mentors! I've added a few miscellaneous photos I took during the trip and want to say what a pleasure it was to have our 2012 class together to challenge ourselves and grow in such a beautiful environment! (Hurray for all the sunshine!) I added another group shot on the glacier, photos from our camping on Benjamin Island, a kayaking lunch break, and our friends Kurt and Bev Smith who hosted us for 4th of July festivities.

Hello up there!

We have had dreamy harvest moon, followed by a local twister, and currently lovely sunshine. Same as usual - everything changes daily! Can't wait to see you tomorrow night, Cami - hope I can still recognize you after your visit to the final frontier:) Luv, Mums

Hello from Virginia

Hello NLC Class of 2012! What a pleasure it has been to read about your adventures via this blog. Thank you Camille for this great idea. You all are truly having the adventure of a lifetime in the true spirit of the Congressional Award and Discovery Bound programs. Tori we think about you constantly and can't wait till you are home so that we can hear about all of your adventures. We just dropped Toby off at the CGA and are making the long drive back home and of course you are your group are on our minds. Enjoy these last few days and make the most of this adventure. We love you lots. Mom, Dad, Papa and Gramma

Juneau what? I'm in Alaska...

OK, I didn't think of that title myself, but I did see it on a T-shirt in a store. It gave me a laugh when I first saw it.

After arriving in Alaska, our NLC class has hiked on, slept on, and climbed on the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier. We had three fantastic guides named Corey, Dawn, and Ed who were extremely helpful in assisting us in our quest to conquer the Mendenhall Glacier by instructing us how to use ice-axes while hiking/climbing and how to put crampons on your hiking boots so you don't slip and fall on the ice.

After leaving the Mendenhall Glacier, we checked into the Driftwood Lodge. Not the greatest motel, but it was perfect for somebody who hasn't had a shower and slept in a bed for a VERY long time.

Yesterday, we crossed the bridge over the Gastineau Channel to Douglas Island, where our wonderful hosts, Bev and Kurt, fed us dinner and provided us fun activities like hanging out on the beach and using a SeaCycle paddle boat. We also had a really good testimony teen-led testimony meeting, and the annual fireworks show ended the night with a bang (literally!).

Other people have to blog, so I need to get going. I can't wait for the kayak trip!

HAPPY FOURTH! :)

Wow... Alaska has been so amazing so far. Its been sunny weather and breathtaking views, we've barely gotten any rain and the mendenhall glacier was possibly the most beautiful thing ever. The wind was a little chilly but overall it was SOOOO amazing. I miss my family and hope everyone had a greattttt fourth of july.

MUCH LOVE

Liza-Jean:)

greetings from juneau, alaska!

Hey guys! I just wanted to say that I am having a blast here in Juneau! In the past week, we have washed eachother's feet, climbed up and camped on the famous Mendenhall glacier, and watched a wonderful show of Juneau's 50th anniversary fireworks on the 3rd while huddling around an enoromous bonfire. These are just a few of the amazing activities that we have participated in so far! Postcards are on the way! So much love from Hanne <3

Message from Georgie!!!

I just came from an amazing week of a Juneau, Alaska July 4th parade, sleeping and camping on a glacier, leading a spiritual feet-washing activity and co-leading a Friday testimony meeting with fireworks going off outside. I could tell you about all the other awesome things I've done and seen, but for now I'll just say a quick thank-you to Bev and Kurt, Kevin, Elizabeth and Gina and most of all the Discovery Bound program worldwide and the whole NLC '012 class for being so supportive and awesome!!! I'm loving this trip! It's just amazing!

alaska.!

wow alaska is so cool.! my highlight so far has been going in the crevasse and through the ice tunnel. it was really beautiful beyond words. i also enjoyed the parade thing and i made some new friends among the locals. overall its been a really good time and im having a lot of fun.!

i miss you all.. see you soon.!
i.l.y.!<33

Howdy!

It's Angelica! Happy Fourth of July!
We are at Bev and Kurt's house eating many a veggie burger! Yumm yumm(:
Tomorrow we are leaving to go sea kyaking! Whoopie!
Alaska is ravishingly exotic and beautiful.
And kinda cold.
I slept on a melting ice cube, it was invigorating.
The end(:

Hey... it's Lakiera. Alaska has been more cooler than I thought :). Hiking to the Glacier, ice climbing, and repelling down the crevass was a cool experience. Also, the parade was very fun.

The glacier was awesome!!! It was really really pretty!!! =) The fireworks were pretty amazing too!!! There was a great bonfire too!!! =)

You all are truly having an adventure of a life time - the best part.....being together! Thank you so much for sharing!

"We live in an age of Love's divine adventure to be All-in-all." My 158

The class of 2012 is 'ALL' that!!

Love from the NLC class of 2011 ~Jeni

BBQ & Fireworks

Saturday 6:15pm

We're here at Kurt and Bev Smith's house for the second day in a row. We came last night to have a BBQ and watch the fireworks. Several teens cruised around the Gastineau Channel on the SeaCycle, we did several "Something I love to Do" presentations, had a testimony meeting, and built a bonfire. Kurt is an amazing photographer, and provided the shots below...

More Glacier Shots

Saturday 6pm: Here are a few more shots from Glacier...a group shot before we left, the glacier and our camp site at night (taken by Kurt Smith), hiking down, and rappelling into the crevasse. There are hundreds more but it's time to move on!

Friday Afternoon 4:45pm: Sorry for the lack of pics and posts on the blog. We got back from the Glacier late last night and we've been busy all day. I downloaded over 1000 pictures from teen cameras this morning and I'm hoping to sort and upload them this evening. I've uploaded four pictures from the glacier to whet your appetite.

Our trip up on the glacier was amazing. It was quite chilly the first day and evening but the sun was out the entire second day. We did some ice climbing and played in a crevasse/ice tunnel before heading down to town for a late dinner at a local pizza joint. We're staying at the Driftwood Motel in Juneau for the next few days (see photo).

Today we did our laundry and some leadership training, followed by a hike of the flume trail in the hills above town and a visit to the Alaska history museum. We're going to a BBQ at someone's house tonight and then watching the fireworks display at midnight.

Hello from Utah!

The pictures are so beautiful! I just can't wait to hear all the stories of camping and kayaking...bears and beauty...friendship and fun. Abby, you are missed TERRIBLY! Thanks so much for leaving a birthday message for me yesterday. I was very distraught to miss you, but know you were heading off to another grand adventure. Utah is hot (finally), so enjoy the cool of Alaska.

Happy faces in beautiful surrounding! Enjoy it all!

Great photos!

sue, (Kevin's mom)

Kayak Class on Auke Lake #3

Update

Everyone's here, last person (Angelica) got in last night. Took Kyaking classes this morning, pictures have been uploaded by kevin, look below. More to follow. When other group finishes thier classes, we will pack for our hike tomorrow- we are hiking up the mindenhall glacier! We will post again in 3-4 days when we have acess to a computer again. Kevin will be posting more pictures from his IPhone.

-Andrew Early

Auke Lake Kayak Class #2

Kayak Class on Auke Lake #1

MOMMY!!!!

Mommy!!! Alaska is awesome!! Beautiful scenery... we've already seen two bears but don't worry they were from a safe distance away with us inside the cabin and them outside. :)

Love you and miss you. Today we are having our Kyacking classes and then tomorrow WE SLEEP ON THE GLACIER!!!!! We're all super-excited!!

We're all warm and cozy so no need to be worrying about how warm we are... I hope everything is going well at home and that your readings in Church were amazing!!


love ya!!

Glad you're there!

It looks beauty-full. If anyone can figure out how to bring back some of that fresh air, please do so:) Otherwise, take it all in with deep breaths. Pictures often, and be filled with awe at all times. Once again, you're 'tops' - returned renewed, refreshed, restored - FILLED.

First 24ish Hours in Alaska

Scroll down past the pictures to read my

initial thoughts on Alaska so far.

After waking up at 4:00 AM on Saturday and 3 long flights later, I arrived in beautiful Juneau, Alaska. Everywhere you look, you see a sea of green trees covering the gigantic mountains. Patches of snow are scattered on the mountains as well.

The weather is extremely nice here. There's an occasional light, misty rain. The air is fresh, crisp, clean, and free of any kind of pollution.

When I woke up this morning, it was incredible to see the clouds covering the top halves of the mountains. The scene almost looked unreal; it was like puffy cotton balls were perfectly placed onto a paper mache mountain project for school.

It's been great so far, and I can't wait for the rest of our trip!

Glad you arrived to a beautiful sunset. We left Juneau Tuesday about noon in the rain! We spent a day the previous week with Bev Smith and you all will love her. We had lunch at her house and saw the beach where we think you will have your bonfire. You will have tons of fun!! Kay and Wick (Lakiera's grandparents)

Just arrived!

Flew into Juneau last night at around 10:00pm to a gorgeous sunset! It is so beautiful here -- lush and green, green, green. Teens, as you fly in, take a good look at the glacier you can see near the airport -- that's the Mendenhall Glacier and that's where we'll be! See you soon :-) Elizabeth

I know that we will have wonderful time in Alaska and thank you Camille for making the blog. :)





"The only safe ship in a storm is leadership." -Faye Wattleton

juuuuuust an idea.

What would ya'll think about someone bringing a digital camera and/or a video camera? We could post footage and pictures on a youtube channel when we had access to a computer.

Just some cool footage like on the glacier, while kyaking, perhaps around the campsite...?

Would be cool to look back on and for the parents/mentors to look at.

Almost in Juneau!

I'll be leaving for Juneau next Tuesday to check things out before everyone arrives -- Gina Lindquist, our other adult chaperone, is joining me on Thursday and Kevin is coming in with the teens. Gina and I will try to post some photos once we are there!

Your Adventure Trip is Almost Here!

Hi Teens,

Looking forward to watching all the fun you are having during your adventure trip - just about one week away!

Susan
Co-Leader NLC 2010

yayy. i figured this out. thankk youu camille. ha this is pretty legittttt. cant wait to see you guys!

Re: Communications

Andrew,

If you want to post your drafts on the discussion board on Facebook we could all take a look at them and vote... thanks for making the drafts that gives us a good headstart!!

Communications Comittie.

We should start writing group letters of thanks, to everyone funding us.

just an idea from the facebook page.

I already have some rough drafts.

or perhaps we could all sign a card?

Hi Everyone

Alaska. The Ultimate Adventure. Thanks for this Blog. We're gearing up to venture out. The best is yet to come!

Hey. I finally got on! Thanks camille and can't wait to see everyone...

Hey guys! This is George, and I can't wait for the trip!!!

In the meantime, you can head over to www.filmwins.blogspot.com to check out my film reviews! At least two new reviews every week! "Up" is the current featured feature. The next should be "Away We Go," the new Sam Mendes comedy with John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph.

IMPORTANT: Preparation Information for Alaska!!!

Hey guys!! Just some stuff to take care of before we set out on our Alaskan adventure... please remember to fill out the Participation Release Waver forms and return them to Elisabeth at the DB Headquarters by June 19th!!


Talk to you all (teens) on our next conference call (June 7th)
:)

The following is very important information to have please pay very close attention and read everything!!

Transportation

We will have an adult available to help individual teens with transfers
to Alaska Airlines for Juneau (Seattle and Anchorage connections).
Kevin Watters will be in Seattle and we will notify teens with
Anchorage connections of adult contact. Elizabeth, and Gina will
help with Juneau arrivals. (It’s a small and very convenient airport)

PLEASE NOTE:

• There is no requirement for “unaccompanied minor” fees with Alaska Airlines, but there may be a fee with other airlines depending on their age limits — please check before you arrive at the airport!
• New Alaska Airlines baggage policy: “Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air passengers traveling on tickets purchased on or after May 1, 2009, for travel on or after July 7, 2009, will be charged $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag. “ This charge does not apply to you if you purchased your ticket before May 1.
  

Contacts

DB Headquarters
5201 South Quebec Street o Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(888) 416-7348 x134 phone o (303) 773-0291 fax
www.discoverybound.org o info@discoverybound.org

Group Leader Contact Info.

1. Elizabeth Schelle, office phone above, cell phone: 907.321.5422, elizabeth@discoverybound.org
2. Kevin Watters, phone: 603.520.6358, kpwatters@yahoo.com

Adventure Trip Contacts

1. June 28-30 and July 8-9 — Eagle Valley Center, contact: Nate Heck, 800.789.6172, evcpro@servealaska.org, www.servealaska.org
2. July 1-2 and July 5-7 — Above & Beyond Alaska, contact: Becky Janes, 907.364.2333, beyondak@gmail.com, www.beyondak.com
3. July 2-4 — The Driftwood Lodge, contact: Kathy Wilson,907.586.2280, driftwood@gci.net, www.driftwoodalaska.com
   

What To Bring

Essential Items to Bring: (items listed are mandatory)
Plan for layering — Southeast Alaska is a rainforest and temperatures
vary in the summer. Could be in the 60’s/70’s or cooler and always a
chance of rain.

Bring to Alaska:

• Spiritual preparedness/inspirational ideas — work with our AT metaphysical themes and share other inspiration
• Bible and Science & Health — plus chalk, quarterly/full text/my Bible Lesson
• NLC notebook and writing materials

Clothing for glacier trekking and kayaking:

• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
• Framed backpack—2-3 day (can use for suitcase to Juneau)
• Underwear—regular underwear is fine
• Long underwear—1-2 pair Polypropylene (not cotton)
• Wool socks—for warmth, cushion, and absorbency; thick wool socks are important (bring several pair—enough to change each day of glacier trek and kayaking trip)
• Shirts—1-2 warm long-sleeved wool or synthetic
• Other shirts—2-3 short-sleeved or t-shirts (be sure to bring red NLC t-shirt!)
• Sandals (such as Tevas, Chacos, or Crocs) for use around kayak camp (and around town)
• Ankle high hiking boots
• Sweater or fleece jacket—insulation layer (if you tend to be cold, bring 2-3 insulation layers); synthetic jackets or down jackets are nice to have at camp
• Rain gear—waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Warm hat—wool or synthetic to cover ears (not baseball cap)
• Gloves—Bring one pair fleece or liner gloves to wear at camp for warmth (paddling mitts are provided)
• Shorts—1 pair

For in town (will have access to laundry facilities):

• Additional pair of shorts/cotton pants
• Pajamas—appropriate for mixed company

Yay! I found it! :-> Great job, Camille -- this will be a wonderful way to track our trip and to communicate as we prepare -- bravo!!

Just Checking in!!

Hey Guys!! It's me again!

I just wanted to make sure that I know who is on this blog... So far there's only four, right?

Hannah, Colby, Andrew, and myself?

Nice page

Oh god, my neck. Nice page, cammille.

Test

Hey Camille - Just testing to make sure it works. Thanks for setting up the blog for all of us!