Program Overview
Living History at Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center
Bringing Washington’s Past to Life — Hands-On Learning for 4th Graders
Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center’s Living History program offers 4th-grade students an immersive, hands-on experience exploring life in Washington Territory during the mid-1800s.
Designed to support classroom curriculum, Living History brings the past to life through engaging, interactive activities that foster curiosity, teamwork, and critical thinking. Guided by our experienced outdoor education staff, students step back in time to explore the impacts of Western expansion on Native cultures, the environment, and daily life in early Washington.
What Students Experience
Throughout their day at Waskowitz, students rotate through hands-on learning stations, participating in tasks that reflect the challenges and innovations of the era. Activities include:
- Constructing homesteads
- Building sections of a railroad track and carving a canoe
- Identifying native plants and their traditional uses
- Using authentic logging tools
These activities give students the opportunity to physically engage with history deepening their understanding of life in the 1800s and creating lasting memories that extend far beyond the classroom.
Connecting Learning to Curriculum
Teachers consistently share how the Living History program directly supports their classroom units on Washington state history, including Since Time Immemorial. Following the field trip, many students reflect on their experience through writing assignments such as journal entries imagining life as a child in 1885 - bringing their hands-on learning full circle.
Start Your Adventure
Program Costs
- $35 per student/chaperone
- Teachers are free
Choose the option that works best for scheduling your 2026–2027 school year program:
• Complete the program request form, and we’ll follow up with you to schedule your date
OR
• Call us to schedule your program first, then complete the form afterward
Once your form is submitted and your date is scheduled, we’ll send a contract. Your program will be officially reserved once we receive the signed contract and non-refundable deposit. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions—we’re happy to help every step of the way!
Contact Information
Meredith von Trapp - Director
Email: meredith.vontrapp@highlineschools.org
Phone: 206-732-5072
Location: 45505 SE 150th St. North Bend, WA 98045
At Waskowitz, we believe that learning should be active, memorable, and connected to both the past and the present. Living History gives students the chance to step into the story of Washington’s history and discover their place in it.