A group of Cascades Job Corps students and staff joined others from Western Washington University and the Sedro-Woolley School District to take part in a trip to Sucia Island in the San Juan’s, for five days of environmental studies and volunteer service work.

The unique earth science lesson plan was prepared by the students at Western, and included island hikes, lessons on otters, cedar trees, fault lines, tree and plant identification, and glacial erratics. Participating students were able to earn .25 science or physical education credits at State Street High School and a letter of recommendation from a WWU staff member or student.

One day was dedicated to volunteer service work for the Washington State Parks Service with projects that included trail clearing, building sandstone stairs, building picnic tables and benches, and clearing camp sites. The students were awarded with 100 volunteer hours with the Parks Service.

The week with the bachelor’s students from Western gave Cascades students the confidence to set their sights on college, and they thought the hands on earth science education was more that they would have learned from years in the classroom. Most students felt more environmentally minded and a self awareness of their own ecological footprint.
Students cooked for one another, shared their personal stories, volunteered, exercised, and learned together. It was a powerful, and very positive experience for the Cascades students.