Teen Summer Programs
Remembering Joie Ruth Armstrong
1 "My son was a student of Ms. Armstrong's during outdoor education week with his school. I remember that he came back from that experience full of stories about Joie - She really made an impression on him, and I'm sure affected other students as well. Half of this contribution is from my son. He was very concerned to read about the tragedy and wanted to do something to honor her memory."
2 "Please accept this small donation to the memory of Joie Armstrong, who briefly but profoundly touched my life and the life of my son last year, when I chaperoned his school class as they spent a week at the Headlands Institute. I was so impressed by her skills, her rapport, and her ability to instantly connect with her students, that I wrote her afterwards to tell her of my impressions. We are greatly saddened by her loss, for it is a loss to the many children that she would have continued to teach. However, my son spent a week this summer at the Yosemite Summer Adventure, part of it at the Yosemite Institute, and I know that the good work of this program will continue to connect children with their earth."
3 "I am a 17 year old from Minnesota. In the summer of 1997 I visited Headlands and was in Joie Armstrong's first hiking group. It was a trip that changed my life and helped develop the person that I am today. I have spoken to other members of my group around the country and they feel the same. We were wondering if it would be possible for us to come and work for either Headlands or Yosemite Institute in Joie's name next summer. We are extremely interested in doing all that we can for such a worthy organization and for such an amazing woman."
4 "...In August 1998, 15 kids and I had the privilege of spending a week learning from Joie. Joie was a wonderful teacher, and I had a great time with her that week. [One student] started off the week very homesick, begging to go home. By Friday, she was clinging to Joie and refusing to leave the Headlands. And for weeks afterward, she would ask me for Joie's address so she could write to her. My favorite memory from that week is from the day we spent in Muir Woods. Joie had called the group together to explain something, and before she turned to begin hiking again she kissed the tree. 'Ooh, gross!' yelled our group of urban kids. But then, the next time we stopped, one of the boys dared another boy to kiss the tree before we started off again on our hike. Pretty soon, the whole group was kissing the nearest tree, one by one, as we resumed hiking after every break. Joie brought such joy and wonder and silliness to those kids' experience that week - and to my experience of the week."
5 "Have you ever met someone that you've only known for week, but the person changed your life forever? Well, many kids have around California. In Marin Headlands and in Yosemite, Joie Armstrong expressed her important love about the environment to many children. For Science Camp, our sixth grade class visited the Marin Headlands, and we were lucky enough to have Joie as our counselor. Even though she wasn't feeling too well that week, she was still the most energetic and enthusiastic person we've ever met. Being with Joie the whole week made us want to learn more and more about nature. Even though it's been a year since we've seen her, we still remember a whole ton of facts...Joie was also very organized and great with young adults. She always kept us busy, and we were never bored...Everyone who has ever been with Joie Ruth Armstrong will always miss her and keep her in their hearts. Our group's assignment that week of Science Camp was to give our counselor a special present. We decided to give Joie a TNT hat with everyone's signature on it because she really was a dynamite person and instructor. We will miss you Joie Armstrong."
6 "Joie Ruth Armstrong sparkled as she danced through this world, sprinkling light everywhere along her journey in life. To know this world intimately was her goal, curiosity fueling her passion for learning and living. Understanding her surroundings satisfied her, giving her strength and a connection to this Earth that ultimately drove her to be the best naturalist she could be. Of what she discovered each day, she shared zealously with her friends, family, teachers, and students. She was a teacher of the highest quality. All who met Joie felt her compassion and kindness and were touched by the joy and brightness she emanated."
