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Mount St. Helens Institute eNews
Have you ever had that Friday feeling all week long? We are brimming with gratitude for our volunteers who continue to stoke wonder and discovery all around the mountain. The sunny skies, spring blossoms, and bird chorus are also filling us with anticipation for more outdoor exploration. Read on for the latest happenings:
Upcoming Programs
Eruptiversary Views and Brews on May 18: Commemorating 46 Years
We ❤️ Our Volunteers!
Environmental Education at MSHI
Calling All Businesses: Ready to Make a Volcanic Impact?
Lights Out, Washington!
Let's Hear it for the Board
An Artist's Guide to the Hummocks
2026 at a Glance
Upcoming Programs
We've mapped out an awesome path to adventure at Mount St. Helens for curious folks of all ages, so it's no surprise our dates going like hotcakes! Here are just two of the exciting offerings still open for registration:
Photo courtesy of Junelle Lawry
Eruption Hikes
Join us for a full-day, guided hike through the hummocks, blast zone, and up to Johnston Ridge, where you’ll witness the raw forces that reshaped Mount St. Helens. Along the way, we'll learn about geology, ecology, the legacy of David Johnston, and more, all while taking in sweeping views of the Pumice Plain, lava dome, and growing (yes growing!) Crater Glacier.
Enjoy the carpet of wildflowers, scout for wildlife, and gain a uniquely serene perspective of Johnston Ridge Observatory—the rewards of human-powered exploration. We also have a one-off opportunity on Wednesday, July 22, for folks that are busy on the weekends, with the possibility of accommodating larger groups of friends or adventurous families looking for a novel day out.
Explore Mount St. Helens as a family, from your base near the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater, with a weekend of guided hikes, hands-on fun, art, s'mores, and more! This camp offers a space for both discovery of the natural world and reconnection, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Our team of on-site educators and volcano enthusiasts tailors activities to the age range of the group, which may include rock investigations, crafts, STEM games, wildlife watching, scavenger hunts, and volcanic skits—often ending in a not-so-impromptu parade (costumes optional!).
Many families have told us this experience was a gateway to other rich outdoor adventures together. We'll provide a camp spot with stellar views, all meals, and access to restrooms but also a place just to be, breathe, and reflect or to run, jump, and paddle—choose you own adventure!
"This is a barrier-reducing entry into camping. The pre-planned activities offer something for everyone and we would definitely return. Thanks so much for a memorable weekend!"
"It was a great experience for the kids. And it was great for us too. The kids felt like they were running free in nature. And we felt safe and assured within the camp community."
46 Years of Learning from the Volcano with Carolyn Driedger
Virtual AND In-Person
When: Monday, May 18th, 2025, 6:30pm
Where: Heathen Brewing & Kitchen, Vancouver, WA or Virtual
Admission: $10 per attendee in-person, $10 per household for livestream access
Join us on the 46th anniversary of the May 18th, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens as we commemorate the cataclysmic event that transformed our understanding of life in the Pacific Northwest and reshaped volcano science worldwide.
USGS Scientist Emerita Carolyn Driedger will share her personal memories of the eruption as a scientist in the field and explore how the event has created ripple effects throughout our society and the world, reshaping everything from emergency planning to public education to volcano science and beyond. Whether you lived through the eruption or are new to the mountain's story, this is an evening of reflection and community you won't want to miss.
Held in April every year, National Volunteer Month is both a time to recognize the contributions of our volunteers and an opportunity to honor the impact of volunteerism and encourage more people to get involved.
We celebrate the incredible community of folks that help us carry out our mission. MSHI volunteers serve in many different ways, from assisting visitors with wayfinding and learning about Mount St. Helens to lending their expertise to behind the scenes operations, or even supporting hikers on their summit climbs and into the crater treks.
We simply wouldn't be able to provide such varied opportunities and quality programming without their help. MSHI volunteers are an essential force for the continuation of our work: connecting people with Mount St. Helens, increasing understanding of this volcanic landscape, and building awareness of how to protect it.
Did you know? In 2025, our team of volunteers:
Gave 10,617 hours of their time
Hiked 7,550 miles (almost 3 entire Pacific Crest Trails) and...
Reached 68,592 people (that's a third of the population of Vancouver!)
Just wow! Props to MSHI's volunteers—we LAVA you!
Looking for meaningful experiences? Want to get in on the action? Join our fabulous crew! Volunteer orientation and training begins late April, so apply today. There's a place for everyone to be involved, no matter your location, availability, or background.
During Environmental Education Week (April 20-26) we'll be celebratingthe impact of all educators in fostering environmental knowledge and stewardship—a core objective of MSHI. Environmental education connects people to the natural world through immersive learning experiences, creating environmental stewards for generations to come. Supporting research also asserts that outdoor programs utilizing explorative learning can drastically improve student's overall learning outcomes (NEEF, 2026.)
At our day and overnight Volcano Outdoor School trips, Mount St. Helens is an outdoor learning lab, with activities like Mountain Moves, Lava Race, Hazard Mapping, Volcano Crisis Mission, and other engaging volcano and ecology focused activities, designed by our educators around Next Generation Science Standards.
Photo courtesy of Ian Reed
After field trips we ask educators, how did this outdoor learning experience benefit your students? These are a couple of the responses highlighting the rewards of environmental education:
"We used a mental health grant to pay for the trip this year after seeing the emotional impact of being in nature for a few days. This trip gives our students confidence because the see what they can accomplish. They challenge themselves to do new things—for some it is knowing they can succeed at a steep hike, or stay away from their family, or go two days without WiFi, or eat unfamiliar food with new people. I saw a student who has struggled to connect with other students hanging out with new friends. As a multilingual group ... they also built cultural knowledge of common American/Washington state experiences like campfires ... this helps them with peer connections and also makes them more open to other outdoor experiences in the future."
"This was one of (if not the only) big field trip students have gone on in their educational careers. From the bus ride, the science learning, the beautiful views, and the kind staff all of it made for a wonderful day. We had a lot of kids who have never been outside for that extended length of time really come alive during our trip."
In 2025 alone we served over 1500 students,with a whopping 20,384 people having passed through the program since 2013 (limited only by the capacity of our current facilities.) We like to think in terms of learning hours:last year we provided 12,310 hours of environmental education, bringing the grand total to 117,181 hours since 2013!
Calling All Businesses: Ready to Make a Volcanic Impact?
MSHI is looking for businesses ready to partner with purpose, and the sponsorship opportunities are as exciting as the mountain itself.
Whether you want to put your brand in front of thousands of adventure-seekers as an Adventure Partner, help spark a lifelong love of science in young women through GeoGirls, raise a glass (and a paddle) at our beloved Boots and Bow Ties Gala, or create a custom sponsorship that's uniquely you, there's a place for your business here.
When you sponsor MSHI, you're not just buying logo placement. You're fueling youth science education, public land stewardship, and one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences in a one-of-a-kind living laboratory. That's the kind of community investment people notice and remember.
You might be aware that Washington's spring bird migration peaks in mid-April through May, with a rush of species arriving or passing through on their journey along the Pacific Flyway, but did you know that most migratory birds fly at night? Susan Saul, a key figure in establishing the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, is also championing Light's Out, Washington! A campaign focused on education, awareness, and action to reduce hazards for night-migrating birds.
Support safe passage on the Pacific Flyway by taking the Pledge to Go Lights Out! You can learn more about the simple actions we can all take to reduce unnecessary lighting, which helps prevent birds from becoming disorientated and vulnerable to deadly collisions, at Audubon Washington. Minimizing light pollution is great for other animals and stargazing too!
Let's Hear it for the Board
Volunteerism takes many forms and MSHI's dedicated board members are important ambassadors for science and education, providing not only legal, ethical, and financial governance but also strategic oversight of our non-profit organization, supporting the programs we love. Thank you for your service!
We are pleased to share this message from our Board Chair Hector Hinojosa:
"Spring is a season of high energy at the Institute! The board is thrilled to see the MSHI team preparing for another incredible season of students learning about the volcano, climbers standing in amazement at the crater rim, and volunteers engaging visitors from around the world as they discover the wonder of Mount St. Helens. We are so grateful and extend our deepest gratitude to the staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and program participants who bring our mission to life.
As board chair this year, I am especially excited about our partnerships with schools and youth-serving nonprofits. Watching students catch their first glimpse of Mount St. Helens from the Science and Learning Center balcony is a singular joy. For many, this is their first intimate encounter with the volcano; the look of awe on their faces is beyond measure.
The experiences young people have with MSHI—watching thatch ants scurry on their mounds, collecting sediment data, or simply journaling among the lupine—stay with them for a lifetime. Increasing access to hands-on field science experiences like these is critical, and I am proud of the work MSHI is doing to bring young people from all backgrounds to this amazing landscape."
Photo courtesy of Ralf Wiegand
An Artist's Guide to the Hummocks
We're thrilled to share this wonderful guide to the Hummocks Trail created by one of our 2025 Artists in Residence. Thank you Jackie Roberti! You can view and download the guide on our website. Aside from the enjoying the beautiful and informative illustrations, you never know, even seasoned hikers and volcano lovers might just discover a different aspect to this landscape - tell us which features you spotted next time you hike the loop!
Mount St. Helens Institute operates under a special use permit from the US Forest Service and is honored to work on the Traditional Cultural Property, ancestral and present-day lands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
Mount St. Helens Institute is an equal opportunity provider.
