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Essay written by The 1st Recipient of the Julie Seiler Memorial Scholarship Fund

JULIE SEILER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Julie Seiler
Three essays written by Julie:
  • Thinking Outside the (Nature) Box
  • A Weight Like Hope
    		•
  • My Own True North
    		•
     
    Essay written by The 1st Recipient of the Julie Seiler Memorial Scholarship Fund
     
    It’s early morning and I’m lying awake listening to the sounds of nature. I can her the brook rushing by, the cool breeze rustling the leaves in the forest, and the birds chirping in the trees. The birds are soon joined by Marcea and Tom, the trip leaders, singing us awake. There’s a stirring around me as six heads pop out of their sleeping bags. We begin our morning routine, getting up, checking our gear and cooking. Today’s breakfast is oatmeal. After stretching, packing up, and singing, we sit down to eat. Soon after we say goodbye to our campsite, pick up our packs and head off down the brook to our next adventure.

    That was the fourth day of our trip at Kroka Expeditions and for the past few days we had been bushwhacking through the forest, around ponds and into bogs. The group had only been together for a few days, but it was already like a big family, and everyone was depended upon to keep the group going strong.

    Throughout this trip I tested my limits and found that I could do much more than I expected I could. At the end I felt stronger, more aware, and connected with nature. Everyday we would go off into the woods alone and just sit, sometimes it was for ten minutes, and sometimes it was for longer. This time really helped me find my place in the natural world, a feeling I will take with me always.

    I would not have been able to go on this trip if not for Julie Seiler. Julie found a way to help girls afford to go on a Kroka Expeditions trip by creating a scholarship fund before she passed away from breast cancer. Through the generosity of Julie, those who loved her, and the staff at Kroka Expeditions, I was the lucky girl who received the scholarship this year. Although I never knew Julie, she has touched my life by giving me some of the best weeks of my life.

    Raina Gardner

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