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 by calling 360-414-3439 at least two weeks in advance to avoid overbooking.
• Plan a meal. Students may use our small covered picnic area, but no food service is available on-site. The gift shop sells snacks and beverages. Food, drinks and gum are not allowed in the Center.
• If possible, please limit groups to 60 students and chaperones.
• One adult chaperone must accompany every five or six children.
• It is highly recommended that larger groups divide students into smaller groups of 10 to 15 each. Rotate groups through the exhibit hall, viewpoint and Forest Discovery Trail (weather permitting).
• 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 60-90 minutes for your visit. Groups of 50 or more may require two hours.
• Make a day of it by going to other visitor centers nearby.