Registration and Payment Options
At the Wenatchee River Institute, we strive to make our programs and events accessible to everyone in our community. Many of our programs and events are completely free, and for those that have a cost, we typically offer a Pay What You Can option. See below for more information on how this option works for our Youth Camps and for our Community Programs.
Some free events (such as Red Barn Events and Birding Walks) do not require registration but now include an RSVP option. This helps us stay in touch with participants by sending reminder emails before events and follow-ups afterward, including any recorded content or resources linked to the session. This way, you can revisit the event, share it with friends and family, or stay engaged even if you couldn’t attend in person. RSVPs reserve your seat and are helpful for us, but are not required.
Occasionally, the costs associated with a particular program do not allow for Pay What You Can pricing. We strive to offer opportunities such as discount codes and partnered sponsorships to offset these costs.
Community Programs
At the Wenatchee River Institute, we believe environmental education should be accessible to everyone. While we strive to keep our events and programs affordable, they all have costs associated with them—including supplies, instructor time, or other necessary resources.
To help ensure that finances don’t limit participation, we offer a Pay What You Can model for most of our programs. This flexible option allows you to choose what you can contribute, whether that is more, less, or precisely the cost of the program. By paying what you can, you help WRI continue to offer high-quality programs and make environmental learning opportunities available to everyone in our community.
You will normally see three options listed for these types of events:
- Cost +
This option may be for you if you are excited to attend this program and are able to pay more than the exact cost so WRI can offer future programming at affordable rates, including our free events. - Cost =
This option may be for you if you are excited to support WRI, and attending this program doesn’t put a strain on your weekly budget. This covers the break-even cost for WRI to put on this particular program. - Cost -
This option may be for you if your budget is tight, but you still really want to attend this program and support WRI.
We aim to provide meaningful experiences for everyone, no matter what your financial situation is. Join us, learn, explore, and help create a community where access to nature and education is open to all.
Youth Camps and After School Program
We want every child to have a chance to learn and play outside with us. Our Youth Camps and After School Program are priced in the Pay What You Can structure to make these programs as affordable as possible to all families.
Each camp or program lists the full cost of camp on the registration page. If your family can pay more than the listed price of camp to support WRI providing opportunities to our entire community, you can add that amount by clicking on the "Edit Additional Service & Add-ons" link below your camper's name.
If your family needs to pay less than the listed price of camp, you can use one of the codes listed in the specific camp description page to reduce the cost of camp. On the checkout page, under the Billing information title, you can click "Add a promo/discount code" to use one of the codes.
For example, you might see codes that specify:
- $50 less - PWYC50
- $75 less – PWYC75
If your family needs to pay a different price than the discount codes allow for camp, please email us at programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. We'll work with you to set up a discount that meets your needs.
Click here to watch a video showing how to access the different Pay What You Can options.
Click here to watch a video walk through of the lottery process.
If camp events you have already registered for are cancelled, the Wenatchee River Institute will refund 100% of the registration fees. If you have questions about COVID-19 and the Wenatchee River Institute, please call us at 509-548-0181 or email us at programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
