Carrie Elko

I would love to visit Acadia National Park in Maine. I have never been to the east coast and would love to add a new state to my list, especially during the fall when the foliage offers such a beautiful landscape. I would welcome the opportunity to sit on the coastline, stare out into the water, and reflect on anything that came to mind.

My loved hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park. A humbling experience for both my mind and body. This trip showed the awe and wonder of nature and how small I really am as part of it. A sign there read: Caution: Down is optional, up is mandatory. This hike showed me that my body is amazing and can do more than what my brain thought it could! This trip taught me to keep trying hard things and started a love for exploring more of the outdoors.

$10,000 would afford me the opportunity to take an adventure of a lifetime, experience a new place (or more than one)! I would also use a portion to become a Wilderness First Responder so I would be better prepared when on my adventures and able to help others. This could also lead to expanding my teaching scope to start a hiking club for students to share my love of adventure and the outdoors with the next generation.