Check out these stories about what's happening at Mount St. Helens this season!
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Mount St. Helens Institute eNews
December is here - we're looking back fondly at 2025 and making new plans for 2026! Before we kick off 2026, the Mount St. Helens Institute team would like to send warm winter wishes, happy holidays, and a happy Solstice this month as we prepare to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome in the new year. We are so grateful for your support in the myriad ways that it comes - whether together out on the trail, online in the comments, or at an MSHI event or program, thank you for being supporters of Mount St. Helens Institute!
News you'll find in this month's edition of Rumblings:
Explore Mount St. Helens with Us in 2026!
Volcano Naturalist Program still has a few spots left...
Staff Updates
We're Hiring!
GeoGirls applications will open in January 2026!
Support science and stewardship with a year-end gift to MSHI
First Day Hike 01/01/2026
Volcano Views & Brews: Avalanche Awareness with the Northwest Avalanche Center 1/14/2026
MSH Holiday Gift Guide
Photo by Alex Lennox
Explore Mount St. Helens with Us in 2026!
As we close out an adventure filled 2025 with you, we're already daydreaming about the fun we'll have in 2026! Our 2026 Programs are open for registration on the website - head on over to find your preferred program dates and secure your spot on the roster today!
From Guided Photography Hikes with a pro photographer to a special adventure into the Crater of Mount St. Helens with the guide team - MSHI has something for everyone, no matter what your interest, experience, or skill level is! Bring the whole family on a campout at the Science and Learning Center on a Family Adventure Camp, or push yourself to new heights on a classic Summit Climb on the Worm Flows or Monitor Ridge climbing routes - MSHI's awesome educational programs team, pro guides, and volunteers can't wait to join you out around Mount St. Helens in 2026!
The 2026 Volcano Naturalist Program Has a Few Spots Left!
Registration for the 2026 Volcano Naturalist Program is now open, and fills up fast! In this 12-week course, participants explore all aspects of Mount St. Helens' geological, biological, and cultural history, learning from experts in the field. This year the program will be held virtually on Tuesday evenings 6:00 to 9:00pm from February 3rd through April 28th, with three optional weekend field trips.
We've still got a few spots left in the 2026 Volcano Naturalist Program - don't miss your chance to connect with fellow Mount St. Helens fans and expand your knowledge of the mountain and surrounding area!
On January 1, 2026, Dave Wheeler will be retiring from his role as Guided Programs Manager which he has served as for the past five years. While we will all lament not having Dave around as much - he's assured us that we'll still be seeing plenty of him out on the trail! Through the years, Dave has been the first point of contact with Mount St. Helens Institute for so many people that have become familiar faces at MSHI programs, events, even staff and volunteers. Dave leaves a legacy of professionalism and leadership that has inspired so many of us to be our best and share our love of the mountain. Dave, we wish you fair winds and following seas!
Chris Chou (yours truly!) will transition from his current role as Marketing and Communications Coordinator to succeed Dave as the new Guided Programs Manager, which leads us to...
Now Hiring: MSHI Marketing & Communications Coordinator!
Do you love storytelling, digital media, and sharing the magic of Mount St. Helens? Join our team in this quarter-time, fully-remote role and help shape the voice of MSHI! You’ll craft engaging content, manage social media, and connect with our community through newsletters, marketing campaigns, and more. (Bonus: You’ll even get to write future editions of this very newsletter!) If you're a creative communicator with a passion for science, education, and outdoor experiences, we want to hear from you.
Now Hiring: 2026 Seasonal Guide Team Roles!
Lead Mountain Guides, Assistant Mountain Guides, and Field Camp Hosts on the guide team are a great opportunity to share a love of Mount St. Helens. Folks from all over the world that travel to Washington to live their dreams on the trails around the monument, and many times the guide team is their first interaction with MSHI! From helping people achieve their dreams of standing on the summit at the crater rim to venturing into the breach to behold the Crater Glacier up close, guides get to call the whole Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument the office!
Photo by Patrick Penoyar
Now Hiring: 2026 Educators!
The Mount St. Helens Institute Educators facilitate meaningful experiences for our guests, including leading hikes and other educational activities, helping students build confidence and a sense of belonging in the outdoors, and sharing their enthusiasm for Mount St. Helens. From the awesome location of the Science and Learning Center above Coldwater Lake, Educators bring programs like Volcano Outdoor School, GeoGirls, Family Adventure Camps and Sky & Star Parties to life - you'll inspire future leaders as an Educator with MSHI!
GeoGirls is an overnight field-based camp experience that takes middle and high school girls around Mount St. Helens where they have a geoscience and fun filled week! The young women in the program get to visit researchers in action, conduct a focused research project with scientists in their field, visit the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, and conduct a volcanic crisis mission that builds on concepts learned throughout the week, all while taking in the inspiring landscape around the monument. Thanks to grants, business sponsorships and generous donors, GeoGirls is a program that MSHI runs FREE for youth participants!
The 2026 GeoGirls applications will be open January 15, 2026 through March 1, 2026 - check out our website for more details on the program and information on how to apply next year!
As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clearer than ever: the future of science education and public land stewardship at Mount St. Helens depends on you.
In this time of declining federal resources, your generosity is what keeps our mission alive: welcoming students and visitors all around the volcano, caring for trails and facilities, and creating moments of discovery, wonder, and awe for learners of all ages.
If you believe in curiosity, resilience, and the transformative power of a day at Mount St. Helens, now is the time to step up. Make a real impact today with your year-end gift, and fuel discovery in 2026.
When participants complete their hike, they’ll receive a free, collectable 2026 First Day Hikes button as a memento of their adventure.
Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit the State Parks’ website for the full list of activities and registration information.
Winter in the mountains isn't just a walk in the park. Learn essential skills for safe winter adventures on Mount St. Helens or refresh your knowledge with this introductory Avalanche Awareness class. NWAC instructors will cover avalanche basics, how to read forecasts, and key signs to watch for in the backcountry.
This event is free, with a suggested $10 donation. Join us to raise a glass and prepare for winter adventures together!
If you happen to be looking for holiday gifts for the Mount St. Helens fans in your life, we've compiled a few of our favorites to share your love of the mountain.
You might recognize North Drinkware's awesome Mount St. Helens collection glasses and coasters from the awesome list of Boots & Bow Ties silent auction items! From their iconic glasses featuring Mount St. Helens molded into the bases to topographic coasters - they've got your beverage covered. On top of that, they have awesome 3D shaded maps of the mountain too! They've supported MSHI through donations and are sweetening the deal by offering 10% off your order with code "PEAKTEN" on www.NorthDrinkware.com! North Drinkware donates 1% of their profits to non-profit organizations like Mount St. Helens Institute, so your gift gives twice!
For the readers out there, how about one of the amazing books from authors we featured this year in our 2025 Volcano Views & Brews series? Whether you've got someone in your life looking to learn more about the mushrooms around Mount St. Helens, or a person that would rather curl up with some poetry - there's something for every Mount St. Helens fan in these picks. You can also find more suggestions here at our website!
Of course, the gift of an MSHI Program in 2026 or some MSHI Merch is something every Mount St. Helens fan will enjoy! There's hoodies, tote bags, even the classic grey ballcap ready to show off your support for Mount St. Helens Institute!
2026 Upcoming Program Dates
2026 Program schedules and registration are live on the website
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.
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