North Cascades Institute youth and family programs

North Cascades Institute youth and family programs includes Family and Adult Programs, Base Camp Learning & Lodging, Family Getaways, Learning Center, Online and Field Classes, Online Classes, Skagit Tours, Nature of Writing Speaker Series, Cascadia Pathway Graduate Program, and Wilderness Medical Courses. The program includes natural history excursions, Learning Center weekends, online presentations on geology, birding, watercolors, amphibians, and photography, as well as family getaways with outdoor playtime, meals, and accommodations.

Programs

• Family and Adult Programs
• Base Camp Learning & Lodging — Stay at the Environmental Learning Center on your own schedule and enjoy outdoor learning adventures, accommodations and meals in the heart of the national park.
• Family Getaways — Gather your family together for multi-generational learning fun, outdoor playtime, meals and accommodations this summer.
• Learning Center, Online and Field Classes — Featuring natural history excursions, Learning Center weekends and watch-when-you-want online presentations on topics including geology, birding, watercolors, amphibians, photography and more.
• Online Classes — Affordable online classes offer engaging educational experiences you can access from anywhere at any time with leading experts and unique content.
• Skagit Tours — Hop aboard the Alice Ross IV and enjoy views of snow-clad mountain peaks, islands and waterfalls while hearing stories about the people who have lived and worked in these mountains.
• Nature of Writing Speaker Series — Presentations by authors, artists and naturalists sharing their new works at Village Books in Bellingham and Third Place Books in Seattle.
• Cascadia Pathway Graduate Program — Earn your Master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University while gaining paid teaching experience at North Cascades Institute.
• Wilderness Medical Courses — Medical skills for individuals working or playing in remote or wilderness settings.

About the provider

North Cascades Institute was founded in 1986. Its mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is Firewise-certified and has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Rating from the US Green Building Council, and it received the Designing and Building with FSC Wood Award from the Forest Stewardship Council. North Cascades Institute, in partnership with Seattle City Light, offers fun, interactive tours of the Upper Skagit Valley and North Cascades National Park.

Scholarships and student, military and disability scholarships are available for most programs.

What families say

“The campus is gorgeous, food was delicious and most of all the staff was super-engaged and knowledgeable. We participated in several programs and couldn't have enjoyed them more. What a beautiful and special place!” — Ally

“We had a wonderful 3-day stay at the Learning Center... wish it had been 5 days! A nice retreat with beautiful buildings and healthy meals prepared, and I loved the activities offered and the nearby trails. Our compliments to the staff!” — Jackie

“The staff was amazing. Such a welcoming and inclusive place. I really appreciated the incorporation of native/indigenous stories and history in the programming.” — Eva

Last updated August 19, 2026.