Steh-Chass Youth Camp

August 5th, 6th, and 7th (10:00 am- 5:00 pm)

Location August 5th and 6th: Heritage Park (Capitol Lake)- Downtown Olympia

Location August 7th: Historical Capitol Theater- Downtown Olympia

Ages 11-14

30 Spots Available (Native youth are given priority registration)

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

Camp Overview

Indigenous cultures naturally make the connection between science, nature, and art. In current times, teachers and curriculum coordinators are engaged in adding art to the formal STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) model to encompass our relationship to the world in terms of design, poetry and story-telling, music and visual arts. In this approach, students make connections and examine their expressions through art and nature in the real world. This responds to the need to address current problems such as climate change with creativity, innovation, and ingenuity and to learn from local tribal history and cultures that have been evolving for centuries.

The Essential Question youth will be answering through the WHY Climate Change Project is “How do I use science and art to inform climate change solutions, decisions, and ideas in the Steh-Chass - Deschutes Watershed - and help implement water quality and wildlife protection strategies and restore the estuary?

Tribal Youth participating in this climate change project will:

Develop a sense of place based in the Steh-Chass – the Deschutes Watershed.

Youth will build a sense of connection to their place by learning about their watershed, understanding where the Deschutes River is, where it’s estuary was and how it impacts their daily life. Additionally, students will understand how human communities impact the watershed. Build a scientific understanding of how a watershed works.

Youth will engage in Science, Engineering and Art Practices, and utilize Crosscutting Concepts (Next Generation Science Standards) to learn about the Deschutes Watershed, and build a local base of scientific understanding in their local watershed with a focus on climate change. Become critical thinkers, with the capacity to use scientific understanding to make personal and policy decisions.

Youth will learn and practice using scientific understanding to inform their decision making, specifically by understanding and applying the Science, Art, and Engineering Practices (NGSS) as they investigate the Deschutes Watershed and solutions to climate change impacts. Youth will become knowledgeable about water quality and develop ideas to mitigate climate change impacts to estuary restoration, salmon, Orca and forage fish health, and all ecosystem connections. They will engage the Deschutes TMDL Implementation Plan and Tribal priorities to find projects. Experience nature as a teacher of science and use science as the basis for art. Nisqually and Squaxin Tribal Youth will learn about the history, culture, and art of the local tribes of the Steh-Chass region. They will learn about and experience a connection with nature as a teacher, innovator, and designer.

Youth Camp Registration

Limited spots are available for the three-day youth camp. Use the online registration form to get signed up. Contact Ali Johnson ajohnson@salmondefense.org for more information.