Ranger Led Programs

Ranger Led Programs

Photograph - Ranger Teaching Students
Ranger-guided interpretive programs for school groups are available by reservation at Ape Cave.

Most programs are geared towards Middle School-aged students.  Advance and confirmed reservations are required!

First registered, first served.

Johnston Ridge Observatory Programs  NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
Program Offered Eruption Talk (20-30 minutes):  Join a ranger to explore the geologic processes that build up and tear apart volcanoes. Students will discover evidence of three powerful events from the May 18, 1980 eruption. Your students will discover the largest landslide in recorded human history, the lateral blast that blew down 230 square miles of forestland, and searing flows of pumice that poured down into the Toutle River.  Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the 1980-1986 and 2004-2008 lava dome building eruptions.

Rock Identification Activity (50-minutes):  This hands-on activity is designed for groups of 30 students or less.  Size limit is strictly enforced.  Students discover eruptive stories told by volcanic rocks as they identify intrusive and extrusive igneous rock samples by color, texture, or crystal type.

  • Teachers must download the pre-visit instructional sequence and student worksheets that are required to conduct this activity with the ranger.
  • Teachers must also print off the appropriate number of student worksheets for your group–worksheets are not provided by the rangers at Johnston Ridge.

Elementary School Rock Identification
Middle School Rock Identification
High School Rock Identification
High School Instructional Sequence
Dates / Times NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
Other offerings if you have questions, please call 360-274-2131
Teacher Responsibilities Chaperones and teachers must remain with their groups and attend all programs. The ranger is there to teach and lead the activities. Chaperones and teachers are responsible for:

  1. Ensuring that students behave in a respectful manner towards the ranger and other visitors;
  2. Making sure that students do not damage exhibits or facilities;
  3. Ensuring that students stay on the trails and on pavement at all times;
  4. Helping students complete their assignments; and,
  5. Making sure students don’t damage or remove resources, such as plants and rocks.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a federally protected educational, research and scientific site. Penalties for damaging this resource and/or removing plants, rocks and other artifacts may range up to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
 Ape Cave Programs
  Rangers aim to provide a brief introduction to ALL groups to talk about the cave, the rules, and white nose syndrome.  The following additional options are available dependent on group size:

  • for groups of 40 or less, guided tour of the lower cave (1 to 1 1/2 hours)
  • for groups up to 50, an introduction and one educational stop soon after entering the cave, leaving you to explore the rest on your own
  • for groups over 50, introduction only.
Dates / Times   May 20 – June 14 and September 16 – October 11, 2024
Other Contact a ranger for any other needs, questions, or requests.  360-449-7800.