Family Getaway - Early July 2021

North Cascades Institute’s weekend Family Getaways offer a premium 'camping' experience and you’ll love it. No need to bring a tent and no need to miss gourmet eating; sleep in a comfy rooms and enjoy healthy, family-style meals in the dining hall. In between sleeping and eating, soak up the stunning North Cascades scenery on hikes, during organized games, while reading or sketching, or partaking in whatever kind of family fun suits you."

— ParentMap

Come enjoy the great outdoors with your family in the heart of North Cascades National Park and start a new family tradition! Situated on the wooded shores of Diablo Lake, three hours from Seattle or two from Bellingham, the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center beckons with its inviting lodges, cozy library, lakeside dining hall, outdoor gathering spaces and network of trails.

Our talented kitchen staff creates delicious meals — using fresh, local and organic ingredients as much as possible — that please the palates of people young and old. The coffee pot is on all day and every night brings a new dessert delight!

Institute naturalists present your family with a daily slate of engaging, hands-on activities. Fun options may include voyages on Diablo Lake in the big canoe, exploring old-growth forests, learning to navigate by map and compass, creating art using natural objects and discovering what tiny critters live in Diablo Lake. Each season presents unique occasions for outdoor explorations and fun adventures, and our knowledgeable staff is adept at making the most of what nature has to offer. You will also have opportunities to enjoy free time however you please.

In the evening, we’ll gather around the campfire with stories and songs beneath the innumerable stars of the North Cascades night sky.

At the conclusion of every Getaway, you'll feel inspired and refreshed, your children will have a new tribe of friends, and you'll wonder how soon before you and your family can return to the Learning Center!

We welcome groups that include parents, grandparents, children, guardians, aunts and uncles and nontraditional families. Children under three years of age can be added to the family registration at no charge. Children are the responsibility of a parent throughout the program.

Questions? Call (360) 854-2599 for friendly assistance.