FieldSCOPES Day Programs
FieldSCOPES are day-long field experiences that enhance curriculum, enrich science, and build community.
FieldSCOPES programs are design to provide students with a hands-on education experience in a safe outdoor classroom. FieldSCOPES has options for grade levels 4-12.
Tuition ranges from $30-45 per student. Mount Rainier Institute, the National Park Service and our partners are committed to providing scholarships to ensure all schools/students can participate regardless of cost. Please call (253) 692-4161 for current rates and scholarship information.
We are now registering groups for Winter 25 and the 25-26 school year. For more information or date availability please contact:
John Hayes
Mount Rainier Institute Director
Email: jhayes90@uw.edu
Phone: (253) 692-4161
Registering Now
For Elementary
Old Growth Exploration- Year Round
When: Year round
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: Flexible, but typically 4 to 5 hours
Grade Level: 3-6
Cost: $30 per student
What makes an "old growth forest" an old growth forest. While hiking and experiencing Pack Forest’s Old Growth Forest, students will engage in ands-on investigations focusing on the components that characterize the old growth habitat.Big Leaf Maple Syrup- January 13-February 10
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: 4 hours- 10am to 2pm
Ages: Content is aimed at 8 years old and up.
Cost: $30 per student
Come take a tour of our very own Bigleaf Maple syrup production site. While learning about the process of creating Bigleaf Maple syrup, students will engage in activities focusing on the life cycle, structure, and nutrients that trees need to survive and to produce the sap for syrup making.
For Registration options e-mail jhayes90@uw.edu
For Middle & High School
Old Growth Forest Ecology
When: Year round
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: Flexible. Typically 4 to 5 hours
Grade Level: 6-12. Higher level content for older students
Content: Ecosystems, old growth ecology, succession
What makes an "old growth forest" and old growth forest. While hiking and experiencing Pack Forest’s Old Growth Forest, students will engage in ands-on investigations focusing on the components that characterize the old growth habitat.Field Science Investigations
When: Year round
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: Flexible. Typically 4 to 5 hours
Grade Level: 6-8
Content: NGSS Science Practices
Come practice science! Students work on developing observation skills that can lead to questions, and data collection. Our science happens in an amazing temperate lowland forest. Students will engage in many of the science practices while investigating a topic connected with your classroom curriculum.
Ecosystem Services
When: Year round
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: Flexible. Typically 4 to 5 hours
Grade Level: 6-12. Higher level content for older students
Content: Ecosystem services
Ecosystems provide humans with so much. Whether its recreation, food, timber, wildlife habitat, or air pollution control, we must learn to manage these resources carefully. Explore Pack Forest and learn about all the ways us humans benefit from Washington's amazing forests.
Trees are the Answer
When: Year round
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: Flexible. Typically 4 to 5 hours
Grade Level: 6-12. Higher level content for older students
Content: Ecosystems, climate change, adaptations, carbon sequestration
This is an introduction to climate change and forestry. Students will explore the role of carbon in a Western Washington forest. While taking a closer look at different age forests students will be engaged in a number of activities that demonstrate how carbon moves through our forest system and where it is sequestered
Big Leaf Maple Syrup- January 13-February 10
Location: Pack Forest
Duration: 4 hours- 10am to 2pm
Ages: Content is aimed at 8 years old and up.
Cost: $30 per student
Come take a tour of our very own Bigleaf Maple syrup production site. While learning about the process of creating Bigleaf Maple syrup, students will engage in activities focusing on the life cycle, structure, and nutrients that trees need to survive and to produce the sap for syrup making.
For Registration options e-mail jhayes90@uw.edu
Build Your Own...
Not seeing what you are looking for? Contact us and work with our educators to adapt a day long field experience for your students. This includes the possibility of EXTENDED Day programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can home schoolers attend programs?
Most definitely! We have served many home-school students before. However, it is best to join with other families or a co-op to create a group with at least 12 students. Also, keep in mind most of the content is aimed at specific age groups, so multi-age groups need to be planed for carefully. Check our Home School Days for more info.
What is the minimum and maximum number of students I can bring?
We like to have a minimum of 12 students in a group. However if you have fewer than that, contact us anyway. There is a chance we can partner your small group with another small group.
For fall 2021 the maximum number we can serve in one day program is 60 people total, that includes any adult chaperones and teachers. If your group is larger than that, contact us. We may be able to offer other solutions.How do I schedule a program?
Contact us to discuss programming options for your group and to schedule dates.
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Mount Rainier Institute
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. Mount Rainier Institute is honored and grateful to provide programs that take place in the ancestral homelands of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Yakima, and Cowlitz.
Mount Rainier Institute provides outstanding nature-based education experiences that are rooted in science and nurture the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders.