The ABCs of AWLS
Exploring AWLS One Letter at a Time
American Wilderness Leadership School 2019
“ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” -Albert Einstein.
On July 5, 2019, thirty-six educators from all across the nation converged upon the Granite Creek area of Wyoming at Safari Club International Foundation's American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS), and I, Tammy Drudy, am privileged to have been one of them. For eight lightning-paced days we soaked in the expertise of Safari Club International members about the science of conservation and the positive role that hunters and anglers play in it. We shot firearms of all sorts, studied many aspects of stream ecology, constructed our own fishing flies, and practiced fly fishing techniques. Additionally, we participated in thought-provoking--albeit sometimes heated--class discussions. We went on ecology hikes, and learned essential outdoor and survival skills. Throughout this time of fellowship, we networked with our fellow educators--and fast friends--to learn how to use the outdoors as a classroom.
To even attempt to convey what this experience has done for my heart and soul is next to impossible, but I'll try. As a primary teacher, it makes perfect sense for me to do so by incorporating the alphabet to summarize this life changing adventure...one letter at a time.
A is for American Wilderness Leadership School
The Lodge
The Arch Welcomes Us
Camp Attendees
B is for Breathtaking Scenery
Granite Falls
A Bridge to Serenity
Indian Paintbrush
C is for Competitions
Straight Shooter
Sleeping Bag Stuff
Tomahawk Tammy
D is for Dudes
Carson City John
Ga-a-a-a-a-ary!
The Ultimate
E is for Ecology
Ecology Walks
Insect Identification
Ecology Entertainment
F is for Fly Fishing
Fly Tie Guy
The Finished Product
Practice Makes Perfect
G is for Grand Teton National Park
For Purple Mountains Majesty
Another Iconic National Park Sign
Mormons' Row
H is for Habitats
Pronghorn
Pronghorn Corridor
Habitat Shuffle
I is for Informational Field Trips
Trappers' Point
Dean Dishes Details
Not Your Ordinary School Cafeteria
J is for Jackson Hole
Welcome to Jackson Hole!
The Silver Dollar Bar
Davey...not Crockett; Jackson
K is for Kitchen
Institutional-Style Camp Food?
The Grillmaster
The Picnickers
L is for Lodging
My Cozy Corner
Powder Room
Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge?
M is for Magical
Alpenglow
Starry, Starry, Night
Don't Be Afraid...
N is for National Archery School Program
Aiming Archerer
3-D to a T
N.A.S.P. Organization is Paramount
O is for Opportunity Through Philanthropy
Succinctly Sables
Stellar Staff of SCIF
Airfare, too????
P is for Project Wild
Project Wild Curriculum
Oh, Deer!
How Many Bears?
Q is for Questions
Who?
Where?
Why?
R is for Rafting
Barker-Ewing River Rafting
Rollin' on the River
Whoa!!!!
S is for SCI Foundation Staff
Experts in Their Field
Gregarious Gary
Interning in Adventures
Todd & Co.
The Glue that Holds it All Together
Delightful DeAnn
Tomahawk Queen Bri
Unique Accolades
Archers' Pens
Trap Shooting Extraordinaire
Course Completed!
V is for Veterans' Park
Proud Pronghorn
The Veterans' Memorial Park
Veteran's Memorial Monument
W is for Wildlife
Fawn and Momma
What a Pair!
Taxidermy Territory
X is for Experts
Safety 1st
Flyin' High with John
Identifying with the Expert
Y is for Yellowstone
Harlan Kredit
Bison's Back
"Oh, Give Me a Home..."
Z is for Zzzzzzzs
Sleep Much at AWLS?
Be Zany!
Even the Zealous need R & R
Closing Thoughts
"Seek first to understand; then to be understood."
Thank you Safari Club International Foundation, Sables, and American Wilderness Leadership School for enriching my life in ways you'll never fully know.
-Mrs. Tamara A. Drudy
*Photo creds.to Gary Brennan, DeAnn Roggenkamp, and Vicki Husar
About Us
Email: tammy.drudy@uc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.uc.k12.in.us/liberty-elementary/liberty-elementary/
Location: 501 Eaton St, Liberty, IN, United States
Phone: 765-458-5521