Glacier Peak Institute (GPI) empowers and teaches children through action based education to build resilient rural communities and ecosystems encompassing the Glacier Peak region.  Amount of time spent outdoors by children has fallen 50% since 2000.  Video games and less outdoors spaces has led to less time outdoor.

 

Population in Darrington is decreasing, Arlington is increasing.  Increases in free or reduced meals and special education students.   Special needs programs take a lot of resources.  Rural communities suffer from lack of funding.  Salaries for teachers in Arlington start at $47k and Darrington start at $35k.

 

With limited resources and funding GPI has turned the forest/outdoor into a classroom.  Main focus is on the middle schools with forest STEM and STREAM (Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) programs.

 

Decrease in salmon growth is affecting communities.  The children are engineering and designing solutions to this problem and others. 

 

Hoping to obtain a 3D printer for the students.

 

Students have toured Google.  Attempting to expose the students to more career opportunities.

 

GPI has partnered with Snohomish County Parks & Recreation and Forest Services.  Recreation and tourism is important.  A recreation program has been created to get youth outdoors.

 

                                         Getting Kids to Experience the Out of Doors

GPI is largely ran by volunteers.  GPI offers shelter building classes, chanterelle hunting, mountain biking lessons, fishing.  These are offered after school and solely extracurricular activities.  Leverage grants for funding possibilities.

 

GPI is looking for long term change.  Partnered with WSU extension.  They help write grants and “incubate the program.”  All volunteers and students are registered through 4H.  Oak is the only paid employee.   America’s Best Communities has contributed to the funding.

 

GPI works to empower youth.  Encourage them to create their own videos, raft, walk in rapids, float the rivers safely, connect with the outdoors, geology, rowing, snowshoeing, etc.

 

Partnered with Seattle University.  Received a monitoring station at the slide location.

 

The future of GPI will work on its outdoor curriculum, urban – rural linkages, University collaboration, replicable for other rural communities. 

 

GPI can take donations, gear, tools, and volunteers.  More