Glacier Peak Institute

We are a community of mentors, educators, and families who are passionate about the future of the Glacier Peak Region and believe that a stronger future starts with our kids. Our faculty lives for the outdoors and is passionate about the lasting impact that outdoor connection has on kids’ health. Our students are part of a rural community greatly impacted by devastating natural disasters and a need for educational opportunities. They’re part of the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators—it’s our mission to show them what’s possible.

We create opportunities for children, teens, and young adults living in rural and historically underinvested urban communities to enage with their environment through outdoor adventures, hands-on projects, and cultural exchanges. We do this by developing STEM lesson plans with local school district teachers and designing immersive outdoor after-school and summer programs. We partner with local tribes, universities, nonprofits, and environmental groups to develop unique educational opportunities that empower students to identify, design, and solve today’s problems. Our students are encouraged to think creatively, work collaboratively, and live sustainably as they take ownership of environmental projects and the opportunity to impact their community. Through these experiences our participants discover a love for the outdoors, a passion for service to community, and grow in resilience and confindence to build a more sustainable and equitable future.