Posted on the boards in the Prospector was something called "The Director's Hike." I didn't know what it was but it sounded important and, of the five spots reserved for teachers, four were already filled! We were bused in a coach to the Brighton Lakes Trailhead and, starting at the already breath-taking 8800', we hiked our way up to 10200'. I didn't realize it until we were well on our way why each of the PCMI programs had a limited number of slots available for the hike -- it encouraged a lot of cross-program socializing. After a while of marching single-file up that mountain, you start getting to know your neighbors. Director Dick Hain at one point walked from the back to the front of the lot of us, listening in and commenting on the variety of conversations going within the hiking groups. And, when we weren't climbing, we were stunned by how pretty the big lakes were as we passed them. Lake Mary alone was worth the hike!

~Jason Lang