Education Programs

Discover Your Northwest provides free education programs across the Deschutes National Forest, connecting students, educators, and communities to public lands through field-based and classroom learning experiences.

Our Educational Program Offerings

School groups and other bona-fide educational institutions may qualify for entrance fee waivers when scheduling through Discover Your Northwest. Limited grants may also be available to help schools with restricted travel budgets cover busing costs.

Outdoor Experiences

On the Forest

Outdoor programs immerse students in winter ecology, volcanic landscapes, forest habitats, fire resilience, and place-based stewardship across Central Oregon.

Field-Based Learning Seasonal Programs Ranger-Led Experiences
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 local winter environments. While snowshoeing through fresh powder, students learn about the biology, hydrology, and geology of the Deschutes National Forest and make connections about how life in Central Oregon is impacted by snow.

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 is open
  • NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS2-1, 4-LS1-1, 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-1
Project Snow Inquiry
Ashes to Ecosystems

Fire Ecology Program

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 & Spring Field Sessions
  • Grades 3, 6, 9
  • Partner Program
  • NGSS Aligned: 3-ESS2-1, MS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-1
Contact Us to Book
Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Lava Lands Visitor Center

Lava Lands Visitor Center takes students back in time, about 7,000 years. 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 available soon.

  • May–September
  • Grades 4–12
  • Booking Opens March 1
  • NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS1-1, MS-ESS2-1, 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 available soon.

  • May–September
  • Grades 4–12
  • Booking Opens March 1
  • NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS1-1, MS-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1

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.

  • July–September
  • Grades 4–12
  • Ranger-Guided Hike
  • NGSS Aligned: 4-ESS1-1, MS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS1-5
Contact Us to Book
Skyliner Lodge

Kindergarten Forest Days

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

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
Contact Us to Book

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
Contact Us to Book
School-Based Learning

In the Classroom

Bring public lands learning directly to students with educator-led classroom lessons focused on habitats, ecosystems, and volcano science.

Educator-Led Lessons NGSS Aligned No Travel Required
Grades 2–3

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
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Grades 4–5

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
Contact Us to Book

Energized Ecosystems

Students trace the flow of matter and energy through High Desert ecosystems and study the structures and processes plants and animals use to make or obtain energy.

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Middle School 6–8

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: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2
Contact Us to Book