Education Programs

Our Educational Program Offerings

Discover Your Northwest provides free of charge education programs across the Deschutes National Forest. Forest Service regulations do allow for school groups and other bona-fide educational institutes to obtain a waiver of Monument and Forest entrance fees, provided they schedule through Discover Your Northwest. Please consider donating to our education fund if able. For schools with a restricted travel budget, there are a limited number of grants to assist with busing. Contact us with any questions.

On the Forest

Mt Bachelor West Village

Project S.N.O.W.

Project S.N.O.W. (Studying Nature Outdoors in Winter) brings students into the field on snowshoes to learn more about our local winter environments! While snowshoeing through fresh powder students will learn about the biology, hydrology, and geology of the Deschutes National Forest and make connections about how our lives are impacted by snow in central Oregon.

Lottery registration is now closed. Please complete an inquiry form to join the waitlist.

January - March
Grades 4-5
Lottery registration for 2026 field trip dates are open
NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS2-1, 4-LS1-1, 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-1

Project Snow Inquiry

Groups of kids with a ranger in a lava field

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Lava Lands Visitor Center

Lava Lands Visitor Center takes students back in time, about 7,000 years back in time! Join Forest Service rangers on a guided-tour of the Trail of Molten Land and learn about the explosive history of Lava Butte and central Oregon. Self-guided options available.

Information for 2026 registration will be coming in 2026.

Operational May - September
Grades 4-12
Booking opens on March 1st for May & June Programs
NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS1-5

Lava River Cave

Lava River Cave programs allow students to explore the longest lava tube in Oregon! Explore with a ranger and learn about the geologic history of Newberry Volcano and our local bats who call the cave home. This program focuses on the fascinating geology and biology of the Lava River Cave.

Information for 2026 registration will be coming in 2026.

Operational May - September
Grades 4-12
Booking opens on March 1st for May & June Programs
NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS1-5

Newberry Caldera

Newberry Caldera offers many geologic wonders to learn from! Take a ranger-guided hike of the Big Obsidian Flow, the youngest volcanic rock in Oregon, while exploring inside an active volcano. Students will learn about the igneous rocks produced by Newberry Volcano and how volcanic eruptions shape our landscape.

Operational July-September
Grades 4-12
4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS1-5

children looking at earth piles around a table

Ashes to Ecosystems

Ashes to Ecosystems
Ashes to Ecosystems brings fire ecology into the classroom and students out into the field to explore the vital role fire plays in Central Oregon ecosystems. While fire is often seen as a destructive force, this program empowers students to understand fire behavior, fire ecology, and how fire shapes our landscapes. In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, students will work with fire specialists to learn how to reduce wildfire risk, live with fire safely, and build more fire-resilient communities.

Fall field sessions: September – October
Spring field sessions: March – June
Grades 3 (Available Fall 2025), 6 (Available Spring 2026) and 9 (coming Spring 2027)
NGSS aligned: 3-ESS2-1, HS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-4, MS-LS2-1

Kindergarten Forest Days at Skyliner Lodge

Discover Your Northwest educators are available to assist with Kindergarten Forest Days at Skyliner Lodge. Choose from one of the hands-on and experiential lessons below to be taught in the forest.

Tree-Mendous Trees

Tree-Mendous Trees
Nature detectives hit the trail to uncover the life cycle of trees through games, role play, and guided observation. Our discovery includes investigations into seeds, saplings, adult trees, and fallen logs. Connections are made between fallen logs and soil production to bring the amazing cycle full circle.

Available October-December and April
NGSS aligned: K.3S.1, 1.L1.1

Sensing Nature

Sensing Nature
Animals, including humans, use more than their eyes to learn and survive in nature. In this hands-on, noses-on, eyes-on, and ears-on program, students discover how all five senses can be used to explore nature. Discover shapes and textures in nature and the various ways color and scent are used by trees.

Available October-December and April
Oregon state science standard aligned: K.1P.1, K.S3.1, K.S3.2

In the Classroom

Grades 2-3

Animals Homes

Animal Homes
Trees provide shelter as well as food for animals (even humans!). In return, animals are vital to the life cycle of trees by dispersing seeds, contributing to soil production, and aiding pollination. Through engaging activities, students explore what animals need to survive in their habitat and the interdependence between plants and animals.

NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS2-1

Grades 4-5

Volcano in the Classroom

Volcano in the Classroom
The Cascade volcanoes extend from southern British Columbia, Canada, to northern California. Volcanic eruptions, collapsing calderas, tectonic plates shifting and igneous rocks forming, Volcano in the Classroom is a one hour classroom presentation focusing on the geology and volcanic history of the Cascades and Newberry Volcano. Students will gain an understanding of volcanic processes through demonstrations and exciting hands-on experiments.

NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS2-1

Energized Ecosystems

Energized Ecosystems
Trace the flow of matter and energy through our High Desert ecosystems. Explore the processes that allow nature to recycle and renew itself. Uncover the connections that lie between organisms and the energy in their environment. Students will examine the structures and processes that plants and animals use to make or obtain energy.

NGSS Aligned: 5-LS2-1SS

Middle School 6-8

Volcano in the Classroom

NGSS Aligned: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2

More Information

Donations are suggested to support Discover Your Northwest in providing educational programs and volunteer support to the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland.

Tour size is limited to first-come, first-served without a reservation
Pets not allowed

Group Tours

Group tours for schools, youth, or other organizations may be scheduled.

Available on weekdays
Contact Us for group reservations

Education Programs

Our Educational Program Offerings

On the Forest

Mt Bachelor West Village

Project S.N.O.W.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Lava Lands Visitor Center

Lava River Cave

Newberry Caldera

Ashes to Ecosystems

Ashes to Ecosystems

Kindergarten Forest Days at Skyliner Lodge

Tree-Mendous Trees

Sensing Nature

In the Classroom

Grades 2-3

Animals Homes

Grades 4-5

Volcano in the Classroom

Energized Ecosystems

Middle School 6-8

Volcano in the Classroom

More Information

Tour size is limited to first-come, first-served without a reservation

Pets not allowed

Group Tours

Available on weekdays

Contact Us for group reservations

Email Signup

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