FieldSCOPES For Homeschools
Mount Rainier Institute has a long history of serving home school families. FieldSCOPES programs are designed to provide students with a hands-on education experience in a safe outdoor classroom. FieldSCOPES includes options for home school students ages 8-18 (grades 3-12).
*If you represent a co-op with multiple families, please contact us for special scheduling options.
It is best to join with other families or a co-op to create a group with at least 12 students. You may also register without a group (we will schedule you with other groups). Also, keep in mind most of the content is aimed at specific age groups (3rd grade and up). Multi-age groups need to be planed for carefully. Contact us to discuss this further.
Tuition ranges from $15-45 per student. There are discounts for groups/families with more than 5 people. Mount Rainier Institute, the National Park Service and our partners are committed to providing scholarships to ensure all students can participate regardless of cost. Please call (253) 692-4161 for scholarship information.
All day-program dates are subject to change or cancellation based on public health concerns.
We are now registering groups for Spring 2022 and the 2022-23 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 Ages 8 and up
Old Growth Exploration-April 19, 21, 22
What makes an "old growth forest" an old growth forest? While hiking and experiencing Pack Forest’s Trail of the Giants, students engage in hands-on investigations focusing on the components that characterize the old growth habitat.
Duration: 4.5 hours- 10am to 2:30 pm
Ages: Content is aimed at 8 years old and up.
Location: Pack Forest in Eatonville WA
Fees: $40 per group of 2
$60 per group of 3
$70 per group of 4
$80 per group of 5
For families/groups larger than 5, please contact jhayes90@uw.edu. Individuals under 2 years of age are free therefore will not count in your pricing. Please let us know about your under 2 family member below so we can take them into account for group sizing.**Please be willing to attend multiple dates. We do ask for your preferred date and will do our best to ensure that you receive that date. We will contact you no less five days before the program to confirm your slot.
For Ages 10 and up
Snowshoe Day Program- Snow Science-April 19, 21, 22
Have you ever stopped to think about how much snow and ice is on Mount Rainier? Come explore Mount Rainier's snowy wonderland with us. We will pull on our snowshoes and get out to some of our favorite locations to dig into the science of snow! We will learn about weather patterns in our region, the lifecycle of a glacier, and calculate the amount of water in the snowpack.
Details:
Dates: April 19, 21, and 22
Location: Mount Rainier National Park-Meeting starting at Longmire
Duration: 4.5 hours 10:30am - 3:00pm
Ages: 10 years old and up
Location: Mount Rainier National Park-starting at Longmire
Fees: $60 per group of 2
$60 per group of 3
$70 per group of 4
$80 per group of 5
**Attendance in this program comes with a park fee wavier, making entry to the park free on this day. We will also provide snowshoes.
**Due to snowshoe sizing and terrain, and length of hike, this program is for students 10 years of age and above.
**Please be willing to attend multiple dates. We do ask for your preferred date and will do our best to ensure that you receive that date. We will contact you no less five days before the program to confirm your slot.
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.
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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.