Family Field Seminars

Expose your children to amazing science and develop their interest in the outdoors by joining our Family Field Seminars.  Seminars are $40 per person and require adult participation. 

Become a Researcher:  Help Monitor Water Quality

Have you ever wondered what water ecologists do?  Come spend a day at Silver Lake exploring and studying the late and several water concepts.  Our young scientists will perform water quality tests for dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature as part of a hands-on experience of the scientific process.  Offered twice:  July 9 and August 6 Ages 7-12

Orienteering using Maps and GPS

Maps are important tools for many recreational and exploratory activities in the outdoors.  This seminar is constructed to give you first-hand experience in the basics of orienteering and topographic map use.  This seminar includes a hike around Marble Mountain Sno-park and a geo-caching scavenger hunt.  Offered twice:  July 16 and August 13, Ages 10-16

Come Share a Day with the Birds!

Birding is a great naturalist activity.  Join us on the Hummocks trail for a day of learning how birds find food, adapt to their environment and hide from predators.  Offered twice:  July 23 and August 20, Ages 7-12

Observing Wildlife -- Learn how to Track Mammals

Would you like to learn how the animals of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest move through their habitats?  Mammals tend to be hard to see directly in nature as they move stealthily through the forest in order to prevent detection by predators.  But they frequently leave tell-tale signs behind to let you know where they are.  We will study characteristics used by mammals to ensure their survival.  Offered twice:  July 30 and August 27 Ages 7-12

Astronomy Field Seminar:

Bring your family on August 2/3 for an Astronomy campout with the Mount St. Helens Institute and the Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers. 

Legends of the Cowlitz Tribe: A Story Telling Workshop

Spiritual leader and story-teller Roy Wilson tells the stories and legends of the Cowlitz people. Listen to traditional stories about Coyote, Bear, Cougar, Beaver or some other type of animal person.  The stories are engaging and include life lessons.  July 26, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Coldwater Lake Picnic area.  Please bring your lunch.  Cost is $15.00 per person, 13 and up.  Under 12 is free.  Register all participants over age 13 online.   

Sign up here for all Field Seminars here: 

If you volunteer at any of our Conservation Corps Events, you can attend the Astronomy event at no cost. 

Volunteering:  The MSHI offers fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities for extended involvement with Mount St Helens.  Many of our volunteer events are family friendly.  Please refer to our calendar of events at our Forest Service Partners website for a 2008 schedule of projects, and contact us at 360-449-7883 or at info@mshinstitute.org for details about opportunities for the whole family.