On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) hosted its 4th Annual Sunset & S’mores event at its campus in Leavenworth, WA. The WRI community, including supporters, staff, volunteers, and students gathered for a relaxed evening of food, drinks, education and outdoor activities. Guests arrived to happy-hour mingling across indoor and outdoor spaces, and enjoyed a catered meal while they explored educational stations:, a watershed model of the Wenatchee River in the River Haus Sun Room, stereoscopes to view moss, rocks, and other details of nature up close., exhibits on the lawn, and a campy photo booth. Not even the rain could dampen the celebration, and was in fact a welcome refresher after the recent fires.
The event fostered connection among the community in a laid-back evening celebrating nature, discovery and community. Orin Melvin, current Board of Directors President, spoke to the gathering about the importance of legacy and WRI. “When you get involved with WRI, you’re not just helping that moment in time, but for future generations,” said Melvin. “Sunset and S’mores is a chance to get the board, staff and volunteers together and honor everyone, and to remind us all of the importance of this property to the community.”
Melvin noted how important the unique property is to WRI's mission. It not only serves students but also the local community—the native gardens and green space offering a respite a far cry from condos or commercial space. This land will continue to serve the community for generations, and the WRI supporters are to thank for that.
“We all play a part in this legacy,” says Melvin.
Claudia Cockerham is one of the stalwart supporters of WRI, having served for years as a volunteer, member of the Board of Directors and all-around cheerleader for WRI. She noted that it’s important to celebrate the community, donors, and supporters at a fun event like Sunset and S’mores. Sometimes people don’t see all the various aspects of WRI’s programs. This event allowed adults to see some of the programming WRI offers students, like the skins and skulls or watershed model. But it’s important for supporters to see both the forest AND the trees.
“It’s good to step back from time to time and remember why WRI is so important,” says Cockerham. “The event is a good way to meet the staff and look holistically at WRI, and see the bigger picture about what’s going on and how we’re doing.” She added, “WRI just has a great sense of place. It’s really meaningful to gather on the grounds and appreciate it.”
Besides being a great showcase of the incredible work that WRI does, Sunset and S’mores was a way to thank all the volunteers, donors, staff and community who put so much into the organization. The work will continue and everyone will get back to the mission of WRI—but on October 1st, celebration and fun was the agenda.
View 2025 Sunset & S'mores on Facebook.
