The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation will host its 2025 Youth Heritage Project (YHP) this summer from July 14-17 at the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in North Bend.
This program stands as a key initiative of the Washington Trust’s educational efforts, drawing high school students from across Washington for an immersive four-day educational field school.
The focus of this year’s YHP will be on the diverse history, culture, and natural beauty of the state’s unique locations.
Through their participation, students will engage actively with their communities, fostering leadership skills and encouraging involvement with the important places around them.
Thanks to partnerships between the National Park Service and the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, participation in YHP is offered at no cost to regional students.
This summer’s program will accommodate 40 high school students, along with eight teachers and mentors, representing 26 different communities across Washington.
Participants will come from cities including Bellevue, Camas, Coupeville, Ellensburg, Forks, Gig Harbor, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lakewood, Liberty Lake, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Olympia, Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Redmond, Richland, Seattle, Snohomish, Spokane, Tumwater, Vancouver, Wenatchee, West Seattle, and Yakima.
Setting up base at the picturesque Rainbow Lodge Retreat Center, located on 40 forested acres at the base of Mount Si in North Bend, students will engage in activities exploring the relationship between humans and the landscape.
The agenda includes hands-on conservation projects, visits to historic sites and museums, and educational sessions about co-managing cultural resources.
The students will kick off their week with an introduction to the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area, along with visits to the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, and insights into the heritage of the Snoqualmie Tribe at Meadowbrook Farm.
An architectural walking tour through downtown North Bend is also on the schedule, along with a hike around Snoqualmie Falls, where students will assess various interpretations of this iconic site.
Participants will delve into the local history at the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Museum and join a Lunch ‘n’ Learn at Rattlesnake Lake to discover the compelling story of the lost town of Moncton.
A service project at Lake Sammamish in collaboration with the Snoqualmie Tribe is also planned, alongside visits to the Snoqualmie Valley and Northwest Railway Museums.
Throughout the week, students will collaborate on group interpretation projects that investigate the interaction between humans and their environment within the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area.
They will ultimately create interpretation materials geared toward a high school audience for their project presentations.
The culmination of their hard work will be showcased in a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, July 17, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the historic North Bend Theatre.
During this event, students will present their projects to a panel of cultural resource management professionals, who will provide feedback and encouragement.
Members of the press and the community are encouraged to attend this public presentation.
Support for YHP 2025 comes from the National Park Service, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area.
Additional funding has been generously provided by Bassetti Architects, Enderis Company, the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Washington, Rafn Company, the Suquamish Tribe, the Tulalip Tribes, Pioneer Masonry Restoration Company, and Studio TJP.
This initiative not only highlights the importance of preserving Washington’s heritage but also empowers youth to take an active role in their communities.
image source from：livingsnoqualmie
