Online Registration

Ranger-guided interpretive programs for school groups are available on an advanced reservation basis at both the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Ranger-guided programs at the Johnston Ridge Observatory will have an Earth Science focus, while programs at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center will have a Life Science focus.

All programs are generally geared towards Middle School Students.

Advanced and confirmed reservations are required!

• General Program Information
• Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center Programs
• Johnston Ridge Observatory Programs

General Program Information

Program Offered

Johnston Ridge Observatory Programs

Eruption Talks (20-30 minutes):

Join a ranger to explore 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 2004-2005 lava dome building eruptions.

Rock Indentification Programs (50-minutes):

Students identify intrusive and extrusive igneous rock samples by color, texture, or crystal type in these hands-on programs. Join a ranger to discover the eruptive stories told by volcanic rocks.  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.  This program is designed for small groups with hands-on activities.  Group sizes over 30 are not recommended.

Elementary School Rock Identification Worksheet

Elementary School Instructional Sequence

Middle School Rock Identification Worksheet

Middle School Instructional Sequence

High School Rock Identification Worksheet

High School Instructional Sequence

Critter Cart Talks (20-30-minutes):

Pictures, puppets, skulls, hides and antlers are used to reveal how an individual animal species survived the eruption or was able to colonize habitats created by Mount St. Helens.  These talks explore the importance of all life within the Monument by demonstrating how individual plants or animals can profoundly influence the other creatures around them.  Critter topics vary due to rotating seasonal staff schedules.  Topics have included elk, beaver, birds of prey, insects, salmon, and amphibians.

Dates / Times

Monday - Friday

May19, 2008 - June 6, 2008

•  10:00am - 11:00am
•  11:00am - 12:00pm

September 22, 2008 - October 10, 2008

•  10:00am - 11:00 am
•  11:00am - 12:00 pm

Limitations

Chaperone and
Teacher
Responsibilities

Chaperones and teachers must remain with their groups and attend all programs. The naturalist is there to teach and lead the activities. Chaperones and teachers are responsible for:

1. Ensuring that students behave in a respectful manner towards 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 activities; 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.