For many students, a field trip is a fun break from class. For Kyrsten Bowden, it was life-changing.
Kyrsten is a senior at Lincoln High School and a force of nature in her own right. She’s 18, full of grit, and living with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita—a rare disorder that affects bone growth and mobility. But none of that has kept her from climbing mountains, literally and figuratively, through LHS Science Outdoors.
With the support of Science Teacher and co-lead Mx. Elainea Kesler-Horan, Kyrsten joined a cohort of 65 Lincoln students at the this March—an overnight outdoor science learning experience that pushed boundaries for everyone involved. From muddy trails to snow-covered hills in Paradise, this trip wasn’t about just checking off curriculum boxes. It was about changing narratives around who belongs in outdoor learning spaces.
More Than Just a Field Trip
The preparation alone for MRI was a journey. Elainea, Natalie, and Kyrsten met for months leading up to the trip. Every concern was addressed. Safety. Access. Equipment. Independence. “I was included in the emails and meetings. That made me feel more confident going on the trip,” said Kyrsten.
Confidence became courage. On her solo hike, Kyrsten walked half a mile with her cane—the farthest she’d ever walked. “It felt really refreshing to be out of my chair and just to experience nature as a whole.”
The following day, snowshoeing in Paradise with adaptive equipment from , Kyrsten took on a literal mountain. “Even when I fell several times, I used those tools to my advantage and I overcame that mountain,” she said. “It was really empowering… I don’t have to just sit out while everyone else enjoys.”
The Power of Representation
For Kyrsten, seeing visibly disabled staff in leadership made a real difference. Mx. Kesler-Horan, who also lives with disabilities and uses mobility aids, has been open with students from day one. That transparency created a safe space for Kyrsten to dream bigger.
“I think it’s important just to be able to show students, even those without disabilities, the possibilities of what they can overcome,” Kyrsten shared. “You gain a sense of belonging with the Science Outdoors community.”
That sense of belonging matters. In an earlier emergency at school, Kyrsten had been left behind during a fire alarm because the elevator was out of order. She had no plan in place. This time, things were different. Her independence was centered, not sidelined. That’s what equity looks like.
Growth on All SidesThis experience wasn’t just transformative for Kyrsten. Her classmates learned how to support one another in ways most classrooms can’t replicate. Whether navigating muddy trails with her wheelchair or cheering her down the mountain in a sit-ski, they were in it together. “When we returned, Kyrsten emailed to say we had changed her life,” said Mx. Kesler-Horan. “But the truth is, she changed her own life.” Redefining What’s PossibleAt Lincoln High School, LHS Science Outdoors isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have. It ensures that every student—regardless of ability—can experience the transformative power of outdoor education. Through partnerships with organizations like the Mount Rainier Institute and Outdoors for All, we’re dismantling barriers one trip at a time.
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This life-changing experience was made possible thanks to funding from the , managed by Sheila Wilson (sheila.wilson@ospi.k12.wa.us). This support gave our students not just access to the outdoors, but a pathway to independence, inclusion, and deep learning.
If you want to learn more about how we’re reimagining access and equity through outdoor science, reach out to our co-leads: