River Discovery Tours Fridays, July 10th & 17th 5:00PM-7:30PM |
Join us on the Wenatchee River by paddleboard or kayak guided by WRI Staff! These beginner-friendly tours include boat rental and shuttle from Leavenworth Outdoor Center and give folks a chance to explore the plants and animals of our diverse river ecosystem. Photo by Dave Masuda. |
|
| Dog Days of Summer Saturday, July 11th
4:00PM-7:00PM |
Join WRI and the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society for a dog-friendly block party! This free event will feature a guided dog walk, free food from Top Dog Concessions, pup first aid demonstration, scavenger hunt, and more.
Come with your leashed dog or join us even if you don't have a dog! Kids welcome (no leash required). Check out the event page for a schedule of events and RSVP to be entered in a special raffle! |
|
|
|
Paint & Stroll Fridays, July 24th & 31st
1:30PM-2:30PM |
Get inspired by the amazing artists at Village Art in the Park, then join us for a short walk down to the river and take some creative time for yourself. Join us for this free program suitable for children and adults by meeting at the Leavenworth Gazebo (820 Front St). View the event calendar for August dates. |
|
| Nature Menders Wednesdays, July 15th & 22nd
8:30AM-10:30AM |
We're making a great impact on the Native Plant Garden this season!
We’ve been focusing on one species per session. Come enjoy a morning outside; the plants appreciate it!
Questions? Email Tiffa. |
|
|
|
Birds of the Wind - The Lives and Times of Northwest Shorebirds |
NCW Audubon Society is hosting a Speaker Series with a presentation by acclaimed birder, naturalist, author, and photographer Dennis Paulson, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected voices in bird conservation and natural history. Dennis was also the Bird Fest Keynote Speaker in 2021!
In his engaging, photo-illustrated lecture, Paulson will explore the fascinating natural history of Pacific Northwest shorebirds, offering an in-depth look at their foraging behavior, remarkable migrations, and breeding ecology. |
|
|
|
We have a few remaining spots left in these incredible July and August camps:
River Wild 2 Camp - Status: 1 spot recently opened!
-
When: July 13-17 | Who: Students entering 4th-6th grades
Creativity Camp (at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts)
- Status: Only 1 spot left!
- When: July 13-17 | Who: Students entering 4th-6th grades
Pathfinders Outdoors Camp (at Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp) - Status: Spots available - now expanded to include 3rd graders!
- When: August 3-7 | Who: Students entering 3rd-6th grades
Forest Friends (recently added) - Status: Spots available!
-
When: August 10-14 | Who: Students entering 1st-3rd grades
Join a Waitlist If these dates don't work for your family, you can always view our full summer calendar online. If your preferred camp is full, we highly recommend signing your child up for a waitlist spot—plans change, and spots do open up! |
|
|
|
Wenatchee School District Summer Camps |
Lincoln Elementary Campers Explore Local Ecosystems
We hosted 25 adventurous campers from Lincoln Elementary for an action-packed, three-day journey across different local habitats. Each day brought a new location and theme, challenging campers to work as a team while observing how our surrounding ecosystems change from place to place. We kicked things off close to home on Day 1, where campers tested their aim with inflatable archery, hunted for bugs, and explored our campus trails. On Day 2, the group headed to the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery for an insider tour. There, they learned all about the fascinating salmon life cycle, crafted salmon-themed bracelets, and stepped up the challenge with some real archery practice. For the grand finale on Day 3, campers headed up the lake to Lake Chelan State Park to explore the unique landscape and dive into how freshwater cycles through our planet.
Newbery and Lewis & Clark Elementary Schools Double the Adventure
A lively crew of 43 campers from both Newbery and Lewis and Clark Elementary schools joined us for a four-day exploration focused on team-building and sharp-eyed observation. They spent their first day bonding over inflatable archery, bug hunting, and campus exploration. On Day 2, they took a deep dive into the salmon life cycle at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, where they got creative making bracelets, took a facility tour, and practiced their archery skills on the range. Day 3 was all about stewardship in action at Ski Hill; campers learned what it means to care for our shared spaces, then rolled up their sleeves alongside Al Murphy from the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to help clean up the trails using real tools. To celebrate their hard work, they wrapped up the afternoon with a fun "stuffie" scavenger hunt. The adventure concluded on Day 4 at Lake Wenatchee State Park, where campers hiked the waterfront trails and explored the critical role freshwater plays in sustaining our region.
|
|
|
|
WRI/Cashmere Museum Explorers Camp Entering 4th-6th grades |
For the first time ever, we launched a brand-new history and pioneering camp, and our campers had an absolute blast stepping back in time! Throughout the week, the kids immersed themselves in hands-on history by touring the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village, churning homemade butter, and dipping their own candles. They got a taste of early homesteading life by practicing laundry with old-school washboards and trying their luck panning for gold. The creativity kept flowing as they crafted paper mache volcanoes and experimented with unique art forms, including charcoal drawing and creating anthotype prints using natural materials with our Land Steward, Tiffa. Balanced with plenty of team-building games and riverfront explorations to hunt for macroinvertebrates, it was an unforgettable week of discovery, history, and outdoor fun.
|
|
|
|
Middle School Adventure Camp Entering 7th-9th grades |
Our middle school campers pushed their limits and had an absolute blast tackling a brand-new adventure every single day. They kicked off the week exploring the beautiful trails and shoreline at Lake Wenatchee State Park. The excitement kept rolling on day two with a refreshing, lifejacket-clad float down the Blackbird Channel right here in town. On the third day, the crew headed to Riverfront Rock Gym, where they absolutely rocked it—scaling walls and testing their grit during an epic, five-hour climbing session. To wrap up an unforgettable week, they hit the water one last time for a fantastic day of stand-up paddleboarding with the Leavenworth Outdoor Center.
|
|
| Cool Critters Camp Entering 1st-3rd grades |
Our youngest campers enjoyed an incredible week exploring the trails around WRI, keeping their eyes peeled for signs of local wildlife and bonding over plenty of fun games. The kids put their sharp eyes to the test with camouflage challenges, hunting for expertly hidden paper butterflies and beanie babies along the trails. Later in the week, the group headed out on a field trip to Lake Wenatchee State Park, where they spent a perfect afternoon building forts by the water and exploring the beachfront. Back on campus, creativity took center stage with several hands-on art projects, including sculpting clay animals, crafting "bird airplanes," and designing their own vibrant animal masks.
|
|
|
|
Reminder: During the months of August and September, renovations will be happening to the Red Barn and Outdoor Classroom. |
|
|
|
Welcome Summer Camp Educator Interns!
|
Summer camp season is officially here, and with it, we are thrilled to welcome two incredible interns to the WRI team to support our youth adventures.
First, please join us in welcoming back Sophia Kinninger! Many of our returning campers will recognize Sophia, as she is returning to WRI for another fantastic year with our Summer Camps. Her energy, familiarity with our campus, and dedication to inspiring kids in nature make her an invaluable part of the team, and we are so excited to have her back in action.
We are also very excited to introduce Haley Watson! While Haley is a fresh face here at WRI, she is certainly no stranger to outdoor education. She brings a wealth of experience teaching and guiding in the outdoors, and we can’t wait to see the fresh perspectives and passion she brings to our youth programs this season.
If you see Sophia and Haley out on campus or leading a train of eager campers down the trails, please give them a warm WRI welcome! |
|
|
|
WRI is hiring for our next After School Program (ASP) Lead Educator. The ASP Lead Educator will develop and implement program four days per week for participants in grades K-3rd. The position is 20 hours per week and priority will be given to applications received by Monday, July 20. See below for the full position description and how to apply.
|
|
|
|
Contribute! Apply to be a Board Member! |
Are you passionate about environmental education, community stewardship, and connecting people to the natural world? The Wenatchee River Institute is looking for dedicated community members to join our Board of Directors!
As a board member, you will help guide our organization’s future, champion our local ecosystems, and support everything from youth field days to community celebrations. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and skill sets—whether your strengths lie in strategic planning, fundraising, or simply a deep love for the Wenatchee Valley.
Help us grow our impact and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. |
|
|
|
Seeking Wheels to Support WRI School Programs |
WRI educators travel to many different schools to teach naturalist lessons to hundreds of students across NCW, but we’ve hit a bit of a speed bump. While we love our 15-passenger "Otter Force 1" for moving groups, we’ve realized that for many of our daily trips, we need something a little more nimble and efficient.
Do you have a dependable, fuel-efficient, all-weather vehicle you aren't using much? Whether it’s a donation or a discounted sale, your contribution would help our educators get on the road to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. If you have a lead on a reliable "New-to-WRI" car, please reach out to us!
|
|
|
|
Last year, Derby Canyon Native Plant Nursery generously donated a batch of annual Rocky Mountain bee plant to WRI. We tucked them into the ground with high hopes that at least a few would survive to self-seed—and our wish came true! This summer, a thriving patch of about 10 plants has popped up right under the ponderosa pine next to the Outdoor Classroom, where just three were originally planted last year.
The most incredible part? They’ve received absolutely zero supplemental water or extra care, and now they are in full bloom! This resilient native is a powerhouse for habitat restoration and a favorite for local pollinators. Beyond their ecological value, they are historically edible and can even be used to make dye. Swing by the Outdoor Classroom to check them out while they’re blooming. Their striking purple stalks are beautifully reminiscent of fireweed! Written by Tiffa Theden, WRI Land Steward |
|
|
|
Thank you to our donors from the last 2 weeks! |
|
|
| Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining Jeremy and Maria Howell - Sustaining Jenny and Ken Ezpeleta Cathy and Drew Gaylord Angela Morris Karl and Denise Ruether
Robert Bencivenga and Bettina Sobey
Laura Maguire and Shane Sheldon
Ginger Holladay and Dean Marson Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Mall Boyd - Sustaining
Christine Emmel - Sustaining
Melissa Roe - Sustaining Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining
Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining
Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining
Druska Salisbury-Milan and Paul Milan - Sustaining |
|
| Anonymous Donors Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining Stephen Ettinger - Sustaining Jean and Russ Speidel Patrick English Lisa and Brian Koblenz - Sustaining
Connie Cogburn and Andy Day - Sustaining Katie Decker-Erickson
Stevie Clifton and Hannah Kwon - Sustaining
Vincent Badagnani and Wina Wichienwidhtaya Kendra Wilson Hillary and Chris Clark - Sustaining Blake and Jennifer Markham
Bill and Mary Jones
Randy and Marge Zerger Annette Jouard and John Taylor - Sustaining Chris Clark |
|
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
|
| |
|
|
