About Us

"My kids experienced a sense of wonder and awe as they explored the beauty of this place." - Deb Werner, Teacher, St. Catherine School (Seattle, WA)     Bring your school to Olympic Park Institute!

Mission

Olympic Park Institute is dedicated to teaching science and environmental education in nature's classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it.

Our Impact

We are Olympic Park Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, and since 1987 we have been committed to educating the next generation of environmental stewards. Located in Olympic National Park, our programs inspire a personal connection to the natural world and motivate students to become engaged citizens who address environmental issues that impact their local communities.  

Our field science education programs serve a diverse group of more than 6,000 young people each year, of which each student has a unique experience based on the personal connections formed with our river, ocean, and alpine ecosystems.

“I visited Olympic Park Institute in 8th grade…I had an unforgettable experience there. The environment, the hikes, and the learning opportunities were amazing. It was a life-changing experience.”  – Student, KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (San Diego, CA)

We Offer

• Inquiry-based field science education programs for grades 4-12
  
• Adult education programs, including teacher training for more than 120 teachers annually
• Conference and retreat facilities for groups of 10-100

Commitment to Diversity

We serve a diverse range of communities including underserved and under-resourced schools with a large number of academically at-risk youth. More than 25 percent of our field science participants and half of our participating schools receive scholarship assistance.

It is important to us that the students we serve reflect the diversity of youth in our region. Through robust community outreach, we ensure that the students we serve reflect the diverse socio-economic and ethnic demographic of students in our region. We work closely with the Lower Elwha Klallam and other local Tribes to serve the needs of tribal youth in the North Olympic Peninsula area.

For more on our diversity practices, visit NatureBridge Diversity.

Bring your class to Olympic Park Institute!

For more details, call our office at 206.382.6212 x.13 or fill out our online inquiry form.