Mount Rainier Institute

  Overnight Environmental Education Center •  Multiple day experience •  Immersive •  Using Pack Forest & Mount Rainier National

  Middle & High School students (target audience) •  4-6 grade •  Adults & Family •  College & Professional •  Underrepresented groups

  World Class Education Center •  Science focus (STEM) •  Natural History, outdoor recreation, natural resource management •  Interdisciplinary (social studies, arts, etc.) •  Connected ERLS (i.e. Standards based)

  Help students develop their relationship with the environment through education

•  Appreciation for nature •  Build confidence in being outdoors •  Build leadership skills

•  Build knowledge •  Explore complex environmental issues

•  Foster hope   Build a foundation for students to consider natural sciences a

career path •  Particularly important for underrepresented groups •  Provide role models

  Connect students to National Parks   Strengthen connections with higher education

•  Partner with UW Tacoma teacher training program

“If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” Wendell Berry

Why?

• Happier: Nature play increases self-esteem, improves psychological health and reduces stress. Children learn self-discipline and are more cooperative.

• Healthier: Nature play improves physical conditioning and reduces obesity.

• Smarter: Nature play stimulates creativity and improves problem solving. Children do better in school.

  Iconic National Park

 Education Education Education

 Close the gap

 Generation “M”

“I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electric outlets are.” 4th grader in San Diego from Last Child in the Woods

 Pack Forest-home base

 Mount Rainier National Park

 Target Fall of 2014 •  Planning •  Initial curriculum development •  Pilot programs/Fundraising •  Refinement •  Gear up & Recruitment •  Launch •  Evaluate & Refinement

 Identify key stakeholders & “champions” •  Potential partners •  Funders

 Gather a planning team •  Confirm mission & vision •  Develop a “programmatic framework”

 Implementation plan  Develop business plan

•  Sustainability •  Market analysis

 Market •  Compete vs. Complement

 Logistics •  Transportation •  Ideal teaching areas

 Defining Sustainability  Branding  Funding