The Story Behind Winning Photo of Rucker Campout

When Jessica Sharp raised her camera to take a photo, her lens captured a long line of  second-graders walking into the sprawling grassland at Henry Coe State Park. A huge tree shades the group, silhouetted against the blue sky.

At the time, Sharp, a Rucker parent and volunteer at the “2nd Grade Campout,” said that it was just one of the many photos she took during the overnight trip.

But in capturing the moment during the unique adventure, Sharp also captured top-honors in Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman’s summer photo contest.

“I am proud to be a winner and be able to shine some light on the great program that was put together by everyone involved,” wrote Sharp in an email.

The photo, Rucker 2nd Grade Camp out—A Trail to Childhood Memories, was chosen as winners in the contest. Wasserman, who represents the area from Gilroy to Los Gatos, said he received dozens of photos showing what summer meant to residents of District 1 and will feature the three winners in his San Jose office.

The Rucker campout was the brainchild of Beth Newick, a second-grade teacher at the school. Sharp said that her now 13-year-old son took part in the first-ever trip while attending Rucker, and her younger daughter continued the tradition this year.

“If memory serves me, the hike to the campgrounds is about two miles and beautiful the whole way,” Sharp said.

After setting up camp, the class hiked to different “stations” around the park to learn about native plants, animals and the environment. Sharp said the campers were able to see “wild turkeys, coyotes, deer, reptiles, amphibians, fish and other wild animals” during the trip.

Park rangers also helped with the trip, showing the students different animal pelts, skeletal remains, snake skins and other natural artifacts, Sharp said.

“If it lived up there, the kids learned about it,” she said. 

In the tradition of outdoor camping, students, many camping for the first time, experienced a campfire, outdoor cooking, songs and skits.

“Both my children reflect on this trip as one of their favorites,” Sharp said.

Sharp said that she was grateful to Newick, the staff at Rucker Elementary, fellow volunteers and the staff and Rangers at Henry Coe for helping to make the trip happen for another year.

“I truly believe this trip was a trail to childhood memories for all these great youngsters,” she said.

The photo contest followed the popular first-ever event held in January. A third contest is in the works, and details will be announced in an upcoming District 1 newsletter, said Elizabeth Sanford, policy analyst at the district office.