Narrative Nature: An observation-based writing workshop

When: Aug 01, 2026 10:00 AM to
Aug 02, 2026 11:00 AM
Where: North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
Instructor: Lance Garland
Activity Level: 3.0
Minimum Age: 16
Triple Accommodations: 290.00
Double Accommodations: 337.00
Single Accommodations: 410.00
Cost with no Lodging: 160.00
Tuition Includes: Overnight accommodations, three meals, guided outdoor adventure and writing instruction
Add it to your calendar: vCal
iCal

Join award-winning author and North Cascades enthusiast Lance Garland at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center for a day of hiking, reflection, and creative writing in a spectacular mountain setting.

We’ll begin with hiking boots, a notebook, and a pen, carrying one simple intention: to be deeply present. As we hike, we’ll pause at turquoise waters, forested shelters, babbling creeks, and rushing waterfalls to explore the connection between writing and the natural world. Guided by brief readings and prompts, participants will move between group discussion and quiet time for observation and writing.

In these moments of stillness, what captures your attention—light filtering through the canopy, the scent of warm soil and moss, or the feel of sun and shade on your skin? Writing by hand helps deepen awareness and invites a more immersive creative experience.

This workshop blends personal reflection, creative practice, and time outdoors, offering space to reconnect with your creativity and the living landscape. Writers at all levels are welcome, as are those interested in beginning or deepening a journaling practice.

After dinner, we’ll gather around the fire for s’mores and storytelling, and the following morning we’ll meet for breakfast to discuss what we wrote on our hike, and our intentions as we say farewell.

Participants are invited to stay longer at the Environmental Learning Center to take part in the guided naturalist activity of the day, or ask for a good hike recommendation in the area!

There is a commuter option if you only want to take part in the main August 1 portion of the class - choose "No Lodging" during check-out. Call us for more information on this option.

Scholarships and Student, Military and Disability discounts are available for most in-person programs. Call (360) 854-2599 for more info!

Learning Center Accommodations

Single, Double, Triple and Quad Accommodations are for families and groups who wish to guarantee lodging with specific individuals during their stay. Triple and Quad Accommodations will require use of an upper bunk, accessible by an easy-to-use ladder. Hostel pricing is the cost for sharing a room with up to three other participants. The number of occupants per room (1-4) will be determined based on the total number of hostel guests each night. We do not guarantee a room with your requested roommate under this option, and you may be lodged in a mixed gender room. Please do not select this if you have participants under 18 in your group.

The Learning Center campus features classrooms, a dining hall, a library, outdoor learning shelters, trails, a canoe dock and an amphitheater. Our three guest lodges have shared gender-specific bathrooms with showers and each room contains two sets of twin bunk beds, desks, wardrobes and wireless internet connectivity. Facilities and local trails are all ADA accessible and a personal mobility vehicle is available. Delicious, healthy meals incorporating local and organic foods are provided in our dining hall. If you have special dietary requirements or food allergies, we will gladly attempt to accommodate them with advance notice. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate pets.

Registration

To register online, click the Register Now button on this page:

By phone, call (360) 854-2599 with your VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card ready.

Or by mail, download and mail a registration form with your credit card information or personal check.

Narrative Nature: An observation-based writing workshop

Event Details

Learning Center Accommodations

Registration