The sixth season of Cascade Mountain School’s environmental systems programming is underway, and this summer we are excited to explore Trout Lake Valley, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and Mt. Adams with over 300 students. Our summer camp season opened with our middle school MacGyver camps, where students learned to collaboratively design and build a shaded meeting space outside our dining hall. At Little Trackers, our youngest campers tuned their keen senses to the rhythms of the Gifford Pinchot, looking for signs of animals and learning to “think like a tracker”. Throughout July and August, our day campers will explore the worlds of lichen and moss and the rush of water; engineer like beavers and adventure to fun Trout Lake spots!
Our overnight programs for middle and high schoolers explore the ecosystems of Mt. Adams and the Columbia Gorge. Our students engage with the geology of the Cascade Mountains, watershed science, and climate change resiliency while honing their backpacking, leadership, and rafting skills.
We’ll wrap up our summer camp season in mid-August with a free camp for Mid Valley Elementary School 4th graders on Mt. Hood, where we’ll experience the flora and fauna of the Columbia Gorge’s backyard. In addition to our custom outdoor school programs and summer camps, we are offering monthly Saturday Adult & Family Excursions. Bring friends and family to learn about compassion and mindfulness at the Trout Lake Abbey on July 15 or hunt for wildflowers to dye your own scarf with Julie Beeler from Oregon College of Arts and Crafts on August 12.
We are so appreciative of the amazing community members, expert “-ologists”, and beautiful natural landscape that support our programs and learning. Looking forward to exploring with you this summer!