Grand Teton National Park continues to connect and serve the local Latine community through Pura Vida, a program offering extensive outdoor learning experiences, leadership training, and wilderness recreation to local Latine youth. The Foundation has supported the Pura Vida program along with many other youth engagement initiatives for nearly twenty years.
During spring break in late March, thirteen participants explored their abilities in recreation, leadership, and stewardship of the outdoors this year. Over half of them had prior experience with Pura Vida. The winter program included several activities, such as snowshoeing to Taggart Lake and along the Moose-Wilson Road, cross-country skiing, reflective art time at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and a stewardship seed cleaning project. The group thrived when pushing themselves during the recreation portions of the program, and they also really pushed themselves creatively during the reflective art sessions. Reflection time throughout the week helped them decompress, process, and celebrate the challenging moments of hiking or skiing during the week.
Part of celebrating and bringing the community into this program is for participants to step up and lead a family night. About twenty family members attended, and the participants opened by explaining their favorite parts of the week. They curated an experience at the National Museum of Wildlife Art with a scavenger hunt showcasing some of their favorite wildlife art pieces. To top it off, the participants created their own artwork reflecting values important to them or their community. Families loved it because many had not had a chance to visit on their own yet.
During the final day, the group celebrated the achievements of four participants who are graduating later this year. Participants had a great learning experience together, and the educators are looking forward to building deeper connections with these young individuals as they progress through high school. Although it was sad to say goodbye, the park's education team is confident that each participant will achieve great things in the future. The park also looks forward to welcoming new people to the Pura Vida program and sharing the same experience with them.
