Principia Upper School Teton Trip

“[The Teton Trip] is the best thing this school does.”

-Skip Mange
Retired Upper School Physics Teacher
1994, 1996 Teton Trip Staff

I learned that there is nothing like the silence of the snow, that moose leave steaming nests behind when you spook them out of their naps, that you should never try to birdwatch or explore nature with loud friends, that sunrises are not my thing (sunsets are), that moose scat looks edible (one girl tried it before she realized it was a joke played by another guy), that I CAN draw, that I like wood stoves better than furnaces, that you have to stay on paths when the snow is deep, that I can live without meat, and that I feel most alive when I’m cold.

by Kathryn (Hosmer) Thompson
Alton, IL
1984 Teton Trip

“The 1993 Upper School trip to the Teton Science School was
unforgettable. I was a new student and was given the
opportunity to get to know my peers better and develop
strong bonds. One of which was Christian Fedele [a student from Puerto Rico] experiencing huge snowfall and learning to cross country
ski…it was hilarious! I would have probably not gotten a
chance to know him if I would have not gone on the trip. I
am still in contact with students from that trip today.

Now let me say a bit about how inspirational the outdoors
are…phenomenal! I remember waking up to the really
freezing cold and then feeling the sunlight warm my face and
gaze up into the mountains in pure awe. I have always had
an interest in animals and the education on the wildlife at
Teton Science School was so thrilling and hands on!!! The
trip to the Elk Wildlife Refuge in Jackson was too cool.

This trip did influence my studies as I attended college
where my major was Environmental Science. Additionally it
inspired me to use my senior subject to be the wolf
reintroduction in Yellowstone and Idaho. I was able to
partake in a week long study with another research group
formerly called Yellowstone Ecosystem Studies. And today, I
live in Montana with my family in the mountains. Just this
morning I was an observer to two young fox kits playing with one
another in the field adjacent to where I was feeding horses.
I have gained such a deep respect for the wildlife in
nature. Thanks Teton Science School and Principia! I will
cherish the Teton trip forever. It is a no miss.”

Tasha Sylvester
Sales Manager
Bottega, Montana
1993 Teton Trip

“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.”

Jen McLaughlin
Marketing Manager
Boston, MA
1993 Teton Trip

“The Teton Trip was probably one of the coolest things I experienced at the Upper School. “I hope more students find just as much beauty and worth, in themselves and the Tetons, as I discovered when I was there.”

Tad Blake-Weber
Christian Science Practitioner
Boston, MA
1995 Teton Trip