What happens when you step outside the classroom?

Not all lessons come from textbooks. Some arrive on the breeze, wrapped in the smell of cedar smoke and sea air. Some are shaped by the curve of a tide pool or whispered through stories passed down around a fire. And some are felt—deep in the belly. Like when a young person realizes they belong to something larger than themselves.

This spring, LIFRC was honored to partner with the Samish Indian Nation’s Department of Education and the Lopez Island School District to offer the third installment of Coast Salish: Land, Sea & Place — a fully bilingual, inclusive outdoor learning experience for Lopez youth in grades 6–8.

Funded through the WA State Outdoor Learning Grant program (OLG), administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and managed by Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) and the Washington Department of Commerce family resource center grant, this program brought students, families, and tribal leaders together for a truly immersive journey across the Central Salish Sea.

At its heart, the program centers on the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial and the Samish 13 Moons curricula. LIFRC is honored to partner with Coast Salish tribal educators, Elders, and Denise Crowe from Samish Indian Nation to incorporate our local tribal history and resources.

“When you learn with an impartial teacher like nature, you start to trust yourself in new ways. You learn to balance caution with curiosity,” said one outdoor educator.

And the students agree!

“I wish we could’ve done more crafting with the Elders. It was really fun, and I didn’t get to do all the things!” said one 7th grader.

“The caves at Sucia were the most surprising—all the different rocks and places to crawl into and explore,” said a 6th grader.

At a Glance:

  • 12 Coast Salish Elders & Cultural Educators
  • 44 middle school students
  • 5 LIFRC staff + 3 LISD educators
  • 5 family/guardian co-learners
  • 4 paraprofessional supports for special education students
  • 4 outdoor educators
  • 5 nonprofit organizations
  • 5 state parks
  • Bonfires with Coast Salish Creation Stories
  • Cedar weaving, carving, beading and seine net tying
  • Hikes with tribal educators on 5 different islands: Lopez, Orcas, Matia, Jones and Sucia.
  • Team building games with Brenda, bilingual youth leadership program manager
  • 1 great ramen night, a recommendation of high schoolers who are part of Youth Health Advocates, some of whom have attended in the past years. Youth and chaperones had a blast cooking up noodles, broth, LOTS of veggies, plus dumplings and veggie or meat skewers.

This is what happens when you give youth the time, space and guidance they need to learn not just about the world, but within it.

When learning moves beyond the classroom, it becomes a full-bodied experience: rooted in culture, shaped by place, and held in community.

Students discover not just facts, but meaning. Not just lessons, but belonging.

We are incredibly grateful to Leslie Helitseliga Eastwood whose tireless leadership and mentorship have made this entire project possible. Leslie, we love you! 

We also want to give special thanks to Liz Doane at the San Juan Preservation Trust for an awesome trek up the steep side of Turtleback Mountain. In addition, we want to offer heartfelt friendship and gratitude to Denise Crowe, Gene Thomas, Pat & Diana Dunne, Janis Bailey, Chikyoten Wagner and Jennifer Ambriz for their generous lessons, songs, stories and endlessly funny moments together along trails, playing 7 Objects, and numerous music-filled rounds of slahal

Across the Salish Sea, HÍSW̱ḴE!!

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