Hidden Clackamas County & Happy Valley: Natural & Human History
Monday, July 7, 2025
Course Number SS517F1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this diversified new class, we‘ll explore two beautifully designed Metro parks and two Happy Valley city parks, where there are dozens of learning opportunities for students. In addition, we’ll look at local art and history.
Exploring Silver Falls
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Course Number SC415k or SC515k 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore one of the most magnificent hiking trails in America, the Trail of 10 Waterfalls, within Silver Falls State Park. Through a nine mile hike, we'll discuss the area's geology, plant and animal life, and the human history of the area. Along the way, we'll discuss ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas. We'll also visit the historic South Falls Lodge, where we'll discuss the craftmanship of CCC workers and we'll explore recreation opportunities.
NOTE: This class features a 9-mile hike at a leisurely pace. Although we will stop frequently for discussion and exploration, it is important that you arrive in relatively good shape!
Exploring Skamania County
Friday, July 11, 2025
Course Number SS412Z or SS512Z 1 credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this fun and diversified class, we will tour Skamania Lodge and the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. We will learn much about the area's history, art and natural history. In the afternoon, we will hike the Beacon Rock Trail, and other points of interest on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.
Oregon Zoo and World Forestry Center
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Course Number SS415Q/SS515Q 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Discover the variety of educational opportunities available at the Oregon Zoo. We will visit diverse habitats, where we see more than 100 animal species from five different continents. Our extensive stay at Zoo will provide participants with information and ideas that can be implemented with students across the curriculum. In addition, our visit to the World Forestry Center will provide us with information about local, national and international forests, and how we can implement environmental education with our students.
Bicycling Portland's Bridges
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Course Number SS415X or SS515X 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Travel over five Portland bridges via bicycle, and explore six others during a 20 mile loop adventure along both banks of the Willamette River. Along the way, you’ll discover the history and architecture of each bridge, and you will learn the importance of each bridge, regarding local geography, recreation and commerce. Ideas for classroom lessons and field trips will be discussed.
Portland's Hidden Parks and Natural Areas: Science, Art, and History
Tuesday-Thursday, July 15-17, 2025
Course Number SS403R or SS503R 3 Credits $340
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Visit a dozen parks throughout the city. The focus will be on history and environmental studies as we explore Oaks Bottom, Elk Rock Island, Ladd's Addition and the Lone Fir Cemetery. Further exploration will take us to Riverview Cemetery, Marshall Park, Gabriel Park, Peninsula Park, Columbia Park, Cathedral Park, and Kelley Point Park. Lots of ideas will be discussed for energizing lessons across the K-12 curriculum.
Exploring Portland's Orange Line MAX: Art, Architecture, History & Transportation
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Course Number: SS417Q/SS517Q 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting class, we‘ll explore the entire 7.3 mile length of the new Orange Light Rail MAX line, as it extends from the city of Milwaukie to Portland State University in SW Portland.. Along the way, we’ll discover local neighborhoods from Milwaukie to PSU, where we will examine the area’s amazing new artwork, natural areas along the Willamette River, a diversity of architecture and a wealth of local history. In addition, we will explore the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge, the first bridge in the nation designed specifically for public transportation vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. Most importantly, we’ll discuss ways to bring the study of art, nature, local history, culture, transportation and recreation to our students through meaningful classroom lessons and on field trips. Our adventures will provide ideas that will energize history, science, math, writing and art activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Exploring Forest Park & Historic Northwest Portland
Monday, July 21, 2025
Course Number SS410d or SS510d 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore hidden portions of 5,000 acre Forest Park, the largest city park in the nation. While hiking the Leif Ericson and Wildwood Trails, we’ll learn the natural and human history of the park, and we’ll discover a variety of fauna and flora. In addition to hiking, we’ll explore the historic St. John’s Community, the newly renovated St. John’s Bridge, and we’ll visit the site of the 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition, a world’s fair that changed Portland’s history. Our adventures will provide ideas that will energize history, science and art activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Central Columbia River Gorge and Hood River
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Course Number SS417X/SS517X 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting class, we’ll explore the natural and human history of the Central Columbia River Gorge, from Starvation Creek to Hood River. We will examine the amazing geology of this area, with hikes along the Starvation Creek Trail and along the Columbia River. We will also focus on human impacts here, discussing Native American history, pioneers to the area, the building of the historic highway, and modern industries, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. We’ll also learn about Hood River’s public art program on a Downtown walk. Along the way, discussions will focus on ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas.
Exploring Cedar Mill: History, Nature, and Community
Friday, July 25, 2025
Course Number SS419s/SS519s 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
This new course explores Cedar Mill, from historic sites and Heritage trees to present-day parks and neighborhoods. We’ll tour the Cedar Mill Creek Greenway, Foege Park, and the Cedar Mill Wetlands which provide modern recreation options for all ages. Later, we’ll visit the Cedar Mill Library and explore past and present historic sites along NW Cornell Road, such as the John Quincy Adams Young House, one of the oldest buildings in Washington County, three Heritage fruit trees from an early orchard, and Cedar Mill Falls, the site of the original lumber mill that gave this area its name. We’ll end the day with a tour of the Union Cemetery of Cedar Mill. Discussions and lesson ideas will include local history, geography, writing, math, science, and plant/wildlife identification. K-12 educators in every subject will find teaching ideas to use inside and outside of the classroom.
This class has been created and will be taught by Melissa Juska. Please contact Melissa at mjbros200@gmail.com for more specific information and to reserve a spot in the class.
Exploring Tigard and Tualatin
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Course Number SS419G 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting new class, we’ll follow the Tualatin Artwalk and Tualatin River Greenway on foot to access Tigard and Tualatin’s best natural and cultural resources. Along the way, we’ll discover native and introduced trees and plants, and dozens of public and private artworks. We’ll also discuss the geology of the area and its importance in shaping the geography and the economy of the region. Most importantly, we’ll discuss ways to bring the study of art, nature, local history and culture to our students through meaningful classroom lessons and field trips. Our adventures will provide ideas that will energize history, science, math and art activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Bicycling the Banks-Vernonia Trail
Monday, July 28, 2025
Course Number TBA 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting new class, we’ll explore much of the 21 mile long Rails-to-Trails Banks-Vernonia State Trail on bicycle to discover an area rich in human and natural history. The mostly flat bicycle path will take us through farmland, forest land and to an amazing, historic railroad trestle. We will also visit Vernonia Lake. Along the way, we’ll discuss the area’s plant and animal life, and the human history of the area, including recreational opportunities. In addition, we’ll discuss ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas.
The Foothills of Mt. Hood
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Course Number SC417z 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
This class is not available to those who have already completed Mt. Hood's Western Slopes.
In this fun and informative course, we will examine the natural environment of the Sandy, Oregon area, and the lower slopes of Mt. Hood. We’ll begin with an examination of the flora and fauna along the gorgeous banks of Tickle Creek, and then we will visit an old growth forest along the Salmon River. Later, we’ll explore native salmon populations, wetlands species and recreational opportunities in the area with a visit to Cascade Streamwatch and the Wildwood Recreation Area. We will conclude with a visit to a magnificent waterfall and a walk along an abandoned section of the historic Mt. Hood Highway. Our field study and discussion can be adapted to science, history and art curriculum for all K-12 classes. As a result of this course, you will be prepared to teach about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the human impacts in the region, past and present.
NOTE: We will walk about 5-7 miles during the day, so it will be important to arrive in relatively good physical shape. Our pace will be leisurely, and will focus on exploration, discovery and discussion. The materials packet should not exceed $10.
Peter's Walking Tours and Continuing Education Courses.