When I was younger, our family would go on camping trips to Glacier National Park every year. A large group of us would go. It would be a couple of my cousins and their parents as well as my best friends from birth with their parents. Our parents had grown up together, so us kids were always hanging out since we were babies.
I looked forward to these camping trips every year. The thing was that we never actually stayed in the park because with knowing my father, he never wanted to be around very many people. We typically camped by a river which was just as fun or even more fun than staying in the park. We looked and looked until we found the perfect spot every time.
We would all go fishing by the river right where we set up camp and my friend’s dad always caught the biggest fish.
While we were there we would do many fun activities. We would all go hiking at the coolest hiking spots all around Glacier Park. We would all go fishing by the river right where we set up camp and my friend’s dad always caught the biggest fish. At the river, us kids would play in the water even though it was pretty cold.
We also went on the Road to the Sun. As much as it was such a beautiful experience, I was very afraid of the road because it would get to be really high up in elevation and I have always been pretty scared of heights. We would play corners on the way up so when it came to the time when it was my corner, I would tend to freak out a little.
My favorite part of it all was campfire food.
My favorite part of it all was campfire food. My mom would make the best food. We would have pancakes and eggs for breakfast typically and sandwiches for lunch. After a long day of doing super fun activities, we would come back and relax and some of us would fish. Once dinner rolled around, we would either have fish, hot dogs, or smokies. After dinner, I had the most s’mores I could get my hands on.
I want to say that something we all still joke about today from the trip was when my little brother would mess with one of my cousins and would push her to her breaking point until one time, she chased him with this giant stick. We all laughed so hard about it and still do.
If I could ever relive this experience again I would. It brought all of us together every time and was a great excuse to get out of the house. As much as I would have loved to use only one experience from this whole trip, I believe that the entire experience has been the most memorable.
I will forever hold these memories in my heart. I would love for more children to have the same experience as I did.
I will forever hold these memories in my heart. I would love for more children to have the same experience as I did. If it came down to it I would bring my kids there every year just like my family did.
Caiya Yanick is a graduating Senior at Clark Fork High School. She submitted this essay for FSPW’s high school scholarship contest. Stay tuned for more winning essays from students across Idaho and Montana.
