previous SABBATICAL
Yosemite National Park
Fall 2018
We partnered with Yosemite Conservancy and Mariposa Arts Council to offer the opportunity to work on exciting projects, and provide affordable destination sabbaticals in and around Yosemite National Park. We were joined by 6 creative professionals from across the country to kick off our pilot program and we are thrilled to share their work and experiences with you.
Creatives
For our pilot, we were joined by 6 creatives from across the USA who supported the following types of projects:
Visual Design & Illustration
Branding
Wayfinding
Content Strategy & UX Design
Business Development & Strategy
Community Hosts
Amble's community hosts are our local partners in sabbatical destinations who are in need of creative services. These organizations are nonprofits and conservancies with a mission to serve, protect, and enrich the communities and natural environment around them.
Yosemite Conservancy
Yosemite Conservancy provides grants to Yosemite National Park based on the highest-priority needs of the park. They fund trail and habitat restoration projects, wildlife-protection programs, scientific research and more to preserve and protect Yosemite’s natural wonders and enrich the visitor experience. They also provide Youth in Yosemite programs which transform the lives of youth of all ages, while youth help transform the park.
Mariposa Arts Council
The Mariposa Arts Council is an incorporated not-for-profit organization, created to promote and support all forms of the cultural arts, for all ages, throughout Mariposa County. Their programs and services are designed to benefit the community in a variety of ways, including: supporting the local economy, positively increase the visibility of Mariposa, provide opportunities for collaboration among individuals, organizations, businesses and civic leaders in Mariposa and beyond—to name a few.
“I’ve described it as life changing. Taking the time to focus on some projects, explore new opportunities, shift my everyday, and work with new folks was outstanding. It was inspiring to watch the work others in Amble were creating - whether for themselves or for their community partners.”
Accommodations
Amble offers a one-of-a-kind experience, as well as affordable lodging in private cabins otherwise not available to the public in Yosemite National Park. To provide affordable destination sabbaticals, the Amble program fee includes one-month of lodging at the fraction of the cost for a one-month rental.
WAWONA
A few creatives in our Yosemite cohort stayed in cabins managed by the Yosemite Conservancy—otherwise unavailable to the public—in Wawona, a small community in Yosemite National Park.
Mariposa
Others stayed on a 340-acre old ranch property in Mariposa—a gateway town to Yosemite National Park—which boasts stunning views of the Sierra Mountain range and easy access to shops & restaurants of downtown Mariposa.
“This was an incredible growth experience creatively and personally. I feel like I was able to face a lot of personal fears and accomplished things on my own that normally feel very intimidating to me. I had several personal breakthroughs which is definitely a product of having time to step away from both my professional situation and my personal life. I am able to look at situations in life with a fresh perspective.”
““I’m so glad I took the leap. Amble was exactly what I needed to help reignite my professional passion. The wide landscapes of Yosemite also helped me return to my everyday life with a better perspective. I’m very thankful for the experience.””
the work
“It was an opportunity to dedicate some time in nature and disconnect a bit while taking on a pro-bono project for people, communities, and organizations that seem to truly appreciate the help—and meet some fellow creatives while doing so.””
Sponsor
Parks Project creatively connects consumers to parks through quality products, volunteer events, and compelling digital content. A for-profit social enterprise, Parks Project works with over 40 non-profit organizations and serves as a supporting business partner to the National Park Foundation. Every purchase supports a high-priority project in a park, focusing on the areas of habitat restoration, youth education, wildlife conservation, and visitor services.
