Have you already made arrangements with the Mount St Helens Institute for using the Science and Learning Center? If not, send a message to [email protected].
For the Ranger-led programs, if your group is more than 15 minutes late for your reserved program (ex. 10:00a program, but group arrives at 10:25a), your program is forfeit.
When you arrive, please send a representative into Johnston Ridge Observatory to notify us. In the meantime, either gather your students in front of the visitor center or keep them on the bus and wait for a ranger to arrive. A ranger will greet your group and inform your students and chaperones of expected and appropriate behaviors during your visit.
Worksheets and other field trip activities for are available to download on the “Lessons / Worksheets” section of the “Teacher’s Corner” website: https://mshnvm.org/teachers-corner/lesson-plans-and-worksheets/ .
If you are bringing a group of 4th graders, they are eligible for the national “Every Kid Outdoors” pass, which is good for the school year, learn more at: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm .
If you are planning on hiking the Hummocks Trail with your group, download the app on your smart devices and look for our mission at Mount St Helens. http://agentsofdiscovery.com/ .
We show two movies at Johnston Ridge. On the hour, we show our 17-minute film “Eruption of Life”. It shows the recovery of Mount St. Helens after the 1980 eruption. On the half hour our 16-minute original movie “Message from the Mountain” plays. It focuses on the geologic events of the May 18, 1980 eruption and discusses how geologists were monitoring the mountain at that time. Please use this information to assist with your planning.
A fee waiver is granted for school field trips with an educational purpose. We expect your group will take full advantage of this opportunity and respect all Monument rules and regulations. Teachers are expected to provide their students with an assignment to complete during their visit; students are expected to work on their assignments; and chaperones are expected to remain with their students, ensure that they obey Monument rules and regulations, and assist students in completing their assignments.
Please be advised that we admit, for free, one adult for every five students. Any additional adults will need to pay the regular fee of $8.00/adult upon their arrival at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
If you plan on visiting the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, it is managed by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Their fee program is separate from ours. Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission also admits one adult for every five students in for free. Any additional adults however will need to pay the regular fee of $5.00/adult upon arrival to the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. For additional information about the State’s fee program please call 360-274-0962.
We look forward to your visit. If you need to make any changes to your reservation, please call me at 360-274-2117.
Thank you!
Kristine M. Cochrane-Bell
