Planning a Trip

Careful preparation will improve your experience at the Forest Learning Center. Here are a few suggestions.

• Visit us yourself first to become familiar with exhibits and layout.
• Make reservations. Make reservations by calling 360-414-3439 at least two weeks in advance so we can have a guide ready and avoid overbooking with other groups.
• Plan a meal. Food, drinks and gum are not allowed in the Center. We have no food service. Students may use our small covered picnic area. Food is sold at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center (360-274-2131) and Hoffstadt Bluffs Restaurant (360-274-7750).
• Please limit groups to 60 students and chaperones.
• One adult chaperone must accompany every five or six children.
• Divide students into groups of 10 to 15. Rotate groups through the exhibit hall and grounds.
• Our one-seat helicopter exhibit is always popular. Often students wait in line and miss other displays. Deal with this in advance by limiting chopper time, making it off limits, or rewarding certain students with pilot privileges.
• Allow at least 90 minutes to visit the Center. Groups of 50 or more may require two hours.
• Make a day of it by going to U.S. Forest Service visitor centers nearby.