I learned more during Parks in Focus than I do in school. (Colin, age 11)

My trip to Glacier was awesome. I saw three bears and a mountain goat, and a lot of big horn sheep. It was the best and most awesome trip ever. We went swimming in Lake McDonald. Even though it took three hours to get there it was all worth it for how much fun it was. It was so fun with our leaders. They showed us all this really cool stuff and I'm glad my mom got me to go. (Siarra, age 11)

Today the weather was great. The sun was shining, the birds were there and everything was beautiful. I'd like to thank you for what you have done for me. I really enjoyed the cameras and taking pictures of nature. I loved it all. (Renaldo, age 12)

My favorite thing was that I got to pick up a salamander. (DyQuasia, Age 11)

Nature is all kinds of plants and animals coming together beautifully. I saw a lot of trees, plants, moss, berries, fungi and bugs. I also saw a chipmunk on a tree. It smells fresh and sweet, like wilderness. I hear mosquitoes, birds and waves around us. It is peaceful and quiet here. (Aramis, age 11)

As Vice President of Program Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, I am responsible for the programming that takes place in our six clubhouses. Over the years I have seen many programs come and go; all with the intention of affecting change in our members. Often the impact is short-lived, lasting only as long as the program's existence, which can mean a few weeks or months. However one such program that has been an exception to the rule is the Udall Foundations' Parks in Focus Program. (John McDowell)

I have seen very real positive changes in the confidence and interpersonal skills of several of our more challenging participants as a result of this experience. I have also seen a new and intense interest in science and nature emerge from more than one unlikely participant. (Jamie, BGC Staff member)

This trip was LIFE CHANGING for our kids! Thank you so much for all your efforts. What memories the kids (and staff!) will have. (Raul, BGC Staff member)

Each day the group got to progressively learn and practice new photography skills with a variety of landscapes, subjects, and lighting conditions. The kids got to experience and learn about the park's rich ecosystems and diverse life zones from a variety of sources, including NP rangers, BGC staff and PIF leaders. (Mark, Udall trip leader)

Participants explored bogs, marshes, dunes, lakeshores, caves, rivers, lakes, fields and forests. Individually, each participant put more than 12 miles of sand and mud-covered trail beneath their feet, and collectively, the participants took over 11,000 pictures of the people, places, plants and animals they met along the way. (Bret, Udall trip leader)

Cameras encouraged the participants to be observant of their surroundings and to stop/smell/look, act like an animal to take a great photo and sometimes, even be silent in nature. (Nicky, Udall trip leader)