Programs are currently on pause. Contact us or join our mailing list for updates.
Students meet weekly after-school to explore a local Kitsap County Park with an experienced guide. Junior Naturalists will learn about the natural environment and their place within it. This outdoor learning opportunity will supplement what your student is learning in school with hands-on experience in the natural world. Observe local flora and fauna, ecosystem cycles, and the interconnections between all living and non-living things.
- Cost: $190 per 4-week session
- Age: 8-12 years
- Time: 2:30/3:00-5:00/5:30 PM, varies by session
- Duration: 1 day per week for 4 weeks
2023 Spring Sessions & Dates
Port Gamble Heritage Park, North Kitsap
- Session 1: Wednesdays April 12 – May 3, 3:00-5:30pm
- Session 2: Wednesdays May 10 – May 31, 3:00-5:30pm
Richard Gordon Elementary
On early release Wednesdays in April, Wild Society staff will pick up your student from Richard Gordon Elementary using our bus and will transport them to Port Gamble Heritage Park in Kingston.
End of day parent pickup will be at 5:30 pm at the Port Gamble Heritage Park Trailhead off Hwy 104.
All Other North Kitsap Schools
Drop off will be at 3:00 pm on Wednesdays at the Port Gamble Heritage Park Trailhead off Hwy 104. Parents will meet the Wild Society bus at the trailhead. The bus will be arriving from Richard Gordon Elementary.
End of day parent pickup will be at the same location at 5:30 pm.
Newberry Hill Heritage Park, Central Kitsap
- Session 1: Thursdays April 13 – May 4, 2:30–5:00pm
- Session 2: Thursdays May 11 – June 1, 2:30-5:00pm
Silverdale Elementary
On early release Thursdays in April, Wild Society staff will pick up your student from Silverdale Elementary using our bus and will transport them to Newberry Hill Heritage Park.
End of day parent pickup will be at the trailhead off of NW Newberry Hill Rd towards Klahowya Secondary School at 5:00 pm.
All Other Central Kitsap Schools
Drop off will be at 2:30 pm on Thursdays at Newberry Hill Heritage Park. Parents will meet Wild Society guides at the trailhead off of NW Newberry Hill Rd towards Klahowya Secondary School. The bus will be arriving from Silverdale Elementary.
End of day parent pickup will be at the same location at 5:00 pm.
All-gender groups meet weekly at their local park for a total of 4 weeks. No prior experience is necessary and kids of all physical and cognitive abilities are welcome. Financial aid and personal gear loans are available. All Wild Society guides are experienced outdoor educators trained in First Aid and CPR.
Wild Society welcomes youth of all backgrounds, regardless of experience, access to equipment, or ability to pay tuition. Financial aid is available.
Wild Society will provide:
- Transportation from authorized school to local county park
- Hiking guides/naturalists trained in local flora and fauna
- Staff trained in CPR and First Aid
- Individual nature journals to be used on the trail
- Guides will supply observation materials such as hand lenses, field guides, drawing materials, etc.
Topics to learn on the trail with our guides:
- Nature Journaling
- Hiking trail games and community building
- Observation skills
- Botany and taxonomy
- Identifying fungus and invertebrates
- Understanding connections be living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem
- Thinking like a scientist
Typical program structure:
- Wild Society staff will pick up students from authorized schools only and will transport them to local Kitsap County park on our bus
- The group will hike 1-3 miles around the park
- Students will engage in conversation and observation while hiking
- Guides will choose an interesting spot off trail for a nature lesson
- Students will play games and build community with the other junior naturalists
- Pick up your student and hear about their awesome adventure!
What to bring:
- Day pack
- Snack (optional)
- Full Water Bottle
- Sturdy Close-toed Shoes
- Weather Appropriate Clothes (we will be outside hiking for 3 hours, rain or shine!)
- Sunglasses and Sun Hat (optional)
- Inhaler/Epi-pen/Other Pertinent Medical Needs (if applicable)
What not to bring:
Please do not bring any electronic devices (watches are ok) or knives. They are an unnecessary distraction, and disrupt our activities and curriculum. Instructors will have cellphones in case of emergencies and all the necessary tools for learning!
Learn more about our Health and Safety Policy:
- Students and instructors will remain outdoors at all times except restroom use and on bus
- Students and instructors will maintain a physical distance of at least 6 ft.
- Students and instructors will use masks when a safe distance cannot be maintained
- Students will not share food or materials
- Students will be expected to frequently wash hands or use hand sanitizer
- Students will remain home if they are experiencing any Covid-19 like symptoms
Questions? Visit our FAQ page for additional help or email us at programs@wildsociety.org!