Chattermarks

Every family has different holiday traditions.  Most families gather for a big meal on Thanksgiving. Some watch or play football. My family likes to run in a local “Turkey Trot”. But how many people go for a canoe ride in a 14-person voyageur canoe on Thanksgiving?

This year, several families had that opportunity as participants in the first Thanksgiving Family Getaway program at North Cascade Institute’s Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake.

Families from all over Washington and Oregon gathered at Diablo Lake to celebrate Thanksgiving while surrounded by pristine beauty. Though the forecast called for rain, rain, and more rain, we were showered with more sunshine than precipitation. Families enjoyed activities such as canoeing, hiking, tracking, art classes, and the microscope lab.

» Continue reading Rewriting Thanksgiving traditions

It was cool to find an interview with North Cascades National Park superintendent Chip Jenkins in an outdoors blog on the Oregonian’s website. Chip has been a great supporter of the Institute since arriving at the park in 2007, especially championing our youth programs like North Cascades Wild and the new Parks Climate Challenge, both of which rely on the landscapes and resources within the national park.

Q: Tell us a bit about your family and how you spent a recent summer weekend together in the park.

A: My wife and I have two sons, ages 9 and 7. We joined a Family Getaway with North Cascades Institute, staying in a cozy lodge with wonderful meals (with the tastes of young diners in mind). Family adventure options included Diablo Lake, nearby trails, games, art, storytelling and scientific explorations. These programs run Memorial Day through Thanksgiving. My youngest boy caught his first trout from the accessible fishing platform at Colonial Creek Campground on Diablo Lake.

The rest of the interview is right here.

In celebration of Earth Day, North Cascades Institute is offering families of 3 or more $100 off the total registration fee for the Memorial weekend Family Getaway at North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, May 23-25!

(In addition to the Family Getaway, we should point out that we’re offering enrollment in our “Hands to Work: Learning Center Stewardship Weekend” happening May 1-3 — two nights of lodging and six delicious meals for only $40! Learn more here and call our registrar at (360) 856-5700 ext. 209 to sign up!)

» Continue reading Earth Day Stimulus Specials!