Summer 2025 at the Institute

If you were to describe this summer by the senses, you might remember how amazing PB&J tasted after a long hike, a shock of ice-cold water splashing off oars, eye-popping views of mountain peaks or starry skies, bird song or laughter bouncing off canyon walls, and the piney scent of the trail or maybe wood smoke. As you scroll through our latest round-up of photos, you’re invited to relive the sights, sounds, and feels of an unforgettable season at the Institute!

Youth Leadership Adventures

This summer’s Youth Leadership Adventures program brought 76 participants out on 9 trips exploring Ross and Baker Lakes by canoe and hiking a new backpacking route up to Anderson and Watson Lakes. So much time on water helped one group in particular blossom in confidence and overcome their fears to make a floating “estrella de agua”. Service and appreciation for the hard work of maintaining backcountry amenities was a big theme as two groups made impressive progress digging a pit toilet with the Forest Service. Amidst the paddling, trail time, and service projects, students forged real friendships through meaningful conversations and fun around camp—one group even set up and ran their own Dungeons & Dragons campaign with hand-drawn illustrations of everyone’s characters. See more in our Best of YLA 2025 photo album.

Family Getaways

What a joy to host the 76 multi-generational family groups who stayed at the Learning Center this summer! Everyone enjoyed Family Getaway classics like Big Canoe adventures, field games, knot-tying lessons, building fairy houses in the forest, silly skits, and costume parades. Multiply that list by almost 300 parents and guardians, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins and kiddos—that’s a lot of fun! Huge credit for the smashing success of these weekends goes to the stamina and creativity of our program staff, tasty meals served up by our kitchen crew, and attentive support from operations and behind-the-scenes staff. See more in our Best of Family Getaways 2025 photo album.

The Art of Field Excursions

A common thread in this summer’s classes and field excursions was connecting with nature, each other, and one’s self through creative arts. Photography students captured dramatic views of the Milky Way at Artist Point under the guidance of Juan Aguilera. Field journalling and wildflowers drew participants to Sauk Mountain with Hannah Black. On a misty morning at Bowman Bay, Holly Hughes and her group pondered mindful writing and sketching prompts. We also hosted two hands-on arts & craft workshops at the Learning Center—Brendan McGarry’s Carving & Conservation and Molly Hashimoto’s Wildflower Watercolors. What is your creative connection to nature? Let us know in the comments.

*Carving and Conservation* with Brendan McGarry at the Learning Center; photo by Lindsey McBride

*Night Sky Photography at Artist Point* with Juan Aguilera; photo by Lindsey McBride

Stars over Komo Kulshan (Mount Baker) at Artist Point; photo by Mark Browning

*Flowers & Field Journaling on Sauk Mountain* with Hannah Black; photo by Kelly Figueroa

Red-tinged leaves of wild blueberries hint that fall is coming; photo by Kelly Figueroa

*Watercolor Wildflowers* with Molly Hashimoto at the Environmental Learning Center; photo by Lorin Wells

Molly inspired students with art from her new book *Wildflowers of the West*

*Writing our Way to a Deeper Connection with Nature* with Holly Hughes at Bowman Bay; photo by Lindsey McBride

Sparking ideas for mindful journalling and sketching; photo by Lindsey McBride

Institute Gatherings

In addition to welcoming hundreds of walk-up visitors, program participants, and Skagit Tours guests, the Learning Center hosted several group gatherings this summer. Our second annual Weekend for All brought 57 attendees together in August to rest, reflect, and connect in this beautiful, shared landscape. In September, we hosted our annual Fall Gathering for Institute friends and supporters with Big Canoe adventures, a wildlife tracking lesson, delicious food and a presentation by award-winning author and biologist Thor Hanson. Staff from the Sedro-Woolley office and the Learning Center also gathered together for a group picnic and end-of-season celebration at Rasar State Park.

2nd Annual Weekend For All at the Environmental Learning Center

Weekend For All attendees enjoy a nature walk with Hannah H and brush up on plant identification

Fall Gathering attendees receive on-land canoe training; photo by Kim Nelson

Kyle puts finishing touches on the spread prepared by our talent kitchen team for Fall Gathering ; photo by Jodi Broughton

Thor Hanson shares from his latest book *Close to Home* during a presentation for Fall Gathering; photo by Kim Nelson

*Almost* our entire staff at the end-of-season Institute picnic, Rasar State Park

Clockwise from upper left: Meg, Cindy, Christian, Gunnar, Kales and Pat; photos by Jason Ruvelson

Eric, Kate, Maria, Eva, Pinal, Neal, Julie at the staff picnic

A Glimpse into Regional History

Earlier this summer, a new friend of the Institute reached out to share some special historical family photos she has recently acquired. To our amazement and fascination, the collection includes many North Cascades scenes from the early 20th century: hunting and fishing excursions, rustic homestead cabins, a river barge transporting heavy equipment, and even some photos showing early stages of dam construction in the Skagit River gorge. Local history buffs will also appreciate glimpses of prolific PNW photographer Darius Kinsey, and John McMillan of Skagit River lore. Please take a few minutes to browse the album and leave a comment if you recognize the faces or scenes in any of the photos!