North Cascades Wild

Tuition-free outdoor service and leadership program for underserved high school students

North Cascades Wild features 8- and 12-day summer wilderness expeditions in North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in northwestern Washington State. High school students canoe camp, backpack and complete conservation service projects while developing leadership skills and learning about the local natural and cultural history of the North Cascades region.

The program includes spring and fall monthly field trips for Skagit and Whatcom students, a fall reunion and a Youth Leadership Conference at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.

Give back to the environment through wilderness stewardship
Develop leadership skills
Challenge yourself in new ways
Learn how to live in the outdoors through canoe camping and backpacking
Explore and learn about the North Cascades
Earn community service hours
Enhance your job resume and college applications
Enjoy future career opportunities
Have fun!

Summer Program Overview

Summer trip length: 8 or 12 days
Cost: FREE!
Begins/ends: Seattle, Bellingham or Sedro-Woolley, Washington
Location: North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Features canoe camping, backpacking, leadership development and service projects

2012 Program Dates

Additional Program Components

1.) Saturday field trips for Skagit and Whatcom students: Explore our region, go hiking and canoeing and complete local service projects. Transportation provided from Sedro-Woolley and Bellingham only. 2012 dates:

March 24: North Cascades National Park Marblemount Nursery Service Day (Skagit and Whatcom students only)
April 21: Migratory Bird Festival (Skagit and Whatcom students only)
May 19: Canoeing and stewardship at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
September 15: Fall hiking
September 22: Stewardship with Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

2.) North Cascades Wild REUNION, September 29, 2012: Join us in Seattle for a day of service, pizza, slideshows, storytelling, games and FUN. Bring your families!

3.) North Cascades Youth Leadership Conference, November 10-12, 2012: Come back to the North Cascades for a weekend of reconnecting, enhancing leadership, communication and collaboration skills, meeting regional service organizations and more. See the Youth Leadership Conference webpage for more information.

Application Information

The program is designed for high school students from diverse backgrounds who have limited prior experience with the outdoors or other outdoor service programs. Students with prior experience are invited to apply but are expected to act as role models for other students.

Applicants must currently be in high school (any grade) and live in Oregon or Washington (8th graders not eligible to apply).
Applicants must be in good physical condition. The program involves daily canoeing and hiking over rugged terrain, often carrying a backpack containing food, water, extra clothing, camping gear and service project tools
Program is tuition-free
No experience is necessary; all food and gear are provided
Transportation is provided from Seattle, Bellingham and Sedro-Woolley. Applicants must be able to get to pickup locations (or the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center) in order to attend summer trips
Skagit and Whatcom County students are expected to participate in monthly Saturday spring and fall field trips
Participants should attend a Student Parent Orientation evening meeting before the summer trip on a weekday evening in May in Bellingham, Sedro-Woolley, Seattle or Lake Forest Park (mandatory for local students; encouraged for everyone else)
Due to the competitive nature of the program, not all applicants can be accepted. Students placed on our wait-list still have an excellent chance of attending so are encouraged to turn in their paperwork.

How to Apply

1. Be a high school student from WA or OR ready for a challenge!
2. Download and complete application (see sidebar)
3. Mail or fax with completed reference and signature forms to:

North Cascades Institute
Attn: North Cascades Wild
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Fax: 360-856-1934

4. We will contact you to set up an interview if you look like a good fit for the program
5. Accepted applicants will receive information about the program and attend a Student Parent Orientation evening in May

Application Due Dates

February 21 – Skagit and Whatcom County students
March 30 – All other students from Washington or Oregon

Partners

North Cascades Wild is made possible thanks to the generous support of our individual donors and partners in the North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Core program support is also provided by Student Conservation Association and Ross Lake Resort.

Sections