“The Teton trip totally changed my life. There’s actually no other way to say it. At the time I was heavily involved in theatre and dance, and had very little interest in science or the outdoors. I went on the Teton trip because I’d heard so many positive comments about it. Everyone said it was life-changing, so I thought ‘well I’ve got to see what that’s about.’ During that marvelous week, I learned more about the outdoors, science, animals, plants, birds, and ecology than I thought possible. And let’s not forget learning how to cross-country ski, making new and unexpected friends, and learning how to draw (I always thought I was a terrible artist, but after a few lessons at Tetons I was actually quietly thrilled with what I was able to produce). And – best of all – it was all REALLY interesting.
See, at Tetons you breathe learning – it’s built into everything you do. It’s not like you walk into a classroom and switch on the “pay attention” switch like you do at school – at Tetons, you’re always looking around and talking about what you see and what it means; you relate the lessons you’re learning about the outdoors to how you’re living your life both on a personal and metaphysical level. That week of learning made me question how I viewed the world and my place in it, what I thought about God, and how to get out of my comfort zone into a space where I could try new things fearlessly and make some incredible friends in the process.
Now, 13 years later, that trip is still just as vivid and remarkable as it was when we were there. One friend from that trip was in my wedding; another is now one of my best friends. And, funny enough, I ended up majoring in Environmental Science in college and working in the conservation sector for several years after college – which stemmed in part from that week in Jackson Hole. Even if Tetons isn’t as powerfully life-changing for you as it was for me, it’s still a great week to make friends and learn stuff far away from school, dorms, and classes – in one of the most beautiful spots in America.”