by Kenzie Hammond, Youth & Community Education Specialist
The Great Gorge Wahoo! 8th Grade (Western Gorge)
Thank you to longtime Friends board member Carrie Nobles for the generous gift that makes this annual trip possible, and to all the educators who worked with the eighth-grade students of St. Andrew Nativity School.
On May 20, 2025, Friends took the eighth-grade class from St. Andrew Nativity School on a field trip exploring the Western Gorge. Having spent time with this group the previous year when they were in seventh grade, it was a treat to have the opportunity to reconnect and share another day of discovery in the Columbia Gorge. The students had fond memories of their previous visit and were excited for a new round of adventures.
Our day began at Vista House at Crown Point—a tradition for eighth grade. Kevin Price, former region manager with Oregon State Parks and current Friends board member, welcomed the students with stories about the history of Vista House and the surrounding area. He spoke about his career in park management and the critical role public lands play in our communities, helping students reflect on why these places matter.
Next, we headed to Benson State Recreation Area where students participated in two hands-on learning stations. Jayson Moorman, a local environmental educator, led an exploration of macroinvertebrates, while Hood River photographer Paloma Ayala guided a session on cellphone photography. After the rotations, students enjoyed lunch by the lake.
We then stopped at Multnomah Falls. Despite its proximity to their school, many students had never visited, and it quickly became one of the day’s most memorable experiences. From there, we continued to Bonneville Lock & Dam, where a ranger from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led a private tour of the powerhouse and fish ladders. To close out the day, students met with salmon biologist Elise Olk from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, who led them through a high-energy “Salmon vs. Dam” obstacle course—blending science and movement in a way that kept everyone engaged and active.
It was a beautiful day of learning, laughter, and adventure. The students were curious and enthusiastic, making it a truly memorable experience for all involved.
Explore the Gorge 6th Grade (Beacon Rock State Park & Hamilton Mountain)
A special thank you to our longtime donor and friend Phyllis Clausen, who passed away last year at the age of 99, for her commitment to fund this annual program, and to all our guest educators who make this program so special.
On May 29 and 30 and again on June 4, 5, and 6, we hosted our largest education event of the year. Over five days, we engaged more than 200 sixth-grade students from Washougal’s Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle Schools in a wide array of educational activities. Students were split between two locations within the Beacon Rock State Park system: Hamilton Mountain and the Doetsch Day-Use Area. At each site, they rotated through a variety of interactive learning stations.
At Hamilton Mountain, students explored:
- Herpetology with Washington State University Early Childhood Education student Jayna Duncan
- Pika walks with Cascade Pika Watch volunteer Linda Steider and Washington State Parks Ranger Ryan Reynolds
- Wilderness survival with Johnson Creek Watershed Council Outreach and Riparian Specialist Sima Seumalo
- Watercolor painting with Lewis and Clark School graduate student Sandra Fachiol
At Doetsch Day-Use Area, stations included:
- Macroinvertebrates with environmental educator Jayson Moorman
- Birding 101 with wildlife biologist Bill Weiler
- Cellphone photography with Columbia Gorge photographer Paloma Ayala
- Geology with Oregon State Parks Ranger Miranda Mendoza and Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum educator Nick Copeland
This event was a truly collaborative effort. New this year, each student received their own Gorge Field Guide (see images on right), featuring local ID resources for birds, fish, mammals, and common plants—tools they can use on future outdoor adventures. Each year, this program deepens students’ sense of wonder and connection to place, fostering empathy and understanding for the wildlife and ecosystems that make the Gorge so special.
