Calendar
Meetings
10:00am - 11:00am
Reading in the Wild
Water Resources Education Center
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
10:00am
- 11:00am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center Staff at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in the Wild connects fun stories with nature activities. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden. This storytime is weather and water-themed.
We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water, soil and more.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.
10:00am - 12:00pm
Litter Cleanup Event: Marine Park Beach
Marine Park Beach
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
10:00am
- 12:00pm
4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Volunteer to pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy and muddy beach areas. Sign up today.
Learn more about the City’s Litter Stewards Program and connect with us for additional questions, litterstewards@cityofvancouver.us.
10:00am - 11:00am
Reading in the Wild
Water Resources Education Center
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
10:00am
- 11:00am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center Staff at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in the Wild connects fun stories with nature activities. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden. This storytime is art in nature-themed.
We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water, soil and more.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.
9:30am - 11:30am
Water Center Garden Cleanup
Water Resources Education Center
Saturday, July 13, 2024
9:30am
- 11:30am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111
Join Water Center staff outdoors to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape. Volunteer activities may include weeding, mulching, trimming and raking pathways. All necessary tools will be provided.
Registration is required. Sign up today!
All ages are welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.
If this event becomes full since space is limited and you see that registrations are no longer being accepted, please use the contact email below to add your name to the waitlist.
10:00am - 11:00am
Reading in the Wild
Water Resources Education Center
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
10:00am
- 11:00am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center Staff at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in the Wild connects fun stories with nature activities. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden. This storytime is science and engineering-themed.
We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water, soil and more.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.
10:00am - 11:00am
Reading in the Wild
Water Resources Education Center
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
10:00am
- 11:00am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center Staff at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in the Wild connects fun stories with nature activities. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden. This storytime is fish and rivers-themed.
We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water, soil and more.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Vancouver Lake Sunset Community Paddle Trip
Felida Moorage & Marine Services
Thursday, July 25, 2024
6:30pm
- 8:30pm
4911 NW 122nd St, Vancouver, WA 98685
Contact: Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a free family-friendly evening canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big Canoes! Glide past shore birds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem from seasoned paddle guides and educators.
Plan to paddle for 1 to 1.5 hours in Estuary Partnership’s Big Canoes along with other participants, and walk under 1/4 of a mile on gravel, muddy/sandy beaches, and uneven terrain. Paddlers must be able to step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for the duration of the paddle program. Big Canoe paddles are suitable for ages 6 and older. Previous paddling experience is not required!
Advanced registration is required and space is limited. Sign up today! You will receive a confirmation letter with full event details, meeting location, and how to prepare for your event after registration. If you need to cancel, please do so at your earliest convenience to allow your spot to be filled by someone on the waitlist.
Who can paddle?
- Big Canoe trips are suitable for ages 6 and older.
- Previous paddling experience is not necessary.
- Paddlers must step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for 1.5 hours.
Do I need any equipment or special gear?
- Please come prepared for the weather with raingear or a hat and sunscreen/sun protection.
- Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) in youth – XXL are provided.
- This paddle trip will depart from a small sand patch and not a dock so waterproof shoes or sandals are recommended. Old tennis shoes work great, too.
Can I bring my camera or cell phone?
- Yes. Be advised that we cannot guarantee the safety of electronic devices and do not offer dry bags. Occasional splashes and rain make the bottom of the boat wet, but typically gear in a pocket will stay dry.
How safe are paddle trips?
- Safety is always our first priority. Our guides are trained in on-water rescue, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid.
- Water activities carry inherent risk; guides take precautions to ensure a safe paddling experience.
- See our safety protocols or contact us for more information.
8:00am - 10:00am
Beach Cleanup at Marine Park
Marine Park
Saturday, July 27, 2024
8:00am
- 10:00am
4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111
Join the Water Center to pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy and muddy beach areas.
Registration is required. Sign up today!
All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.
If this event becomes full since space is limited and you see that registrations are no longer being accepted, please use the contact email below to add your name to the waitlist.
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Twilight Tuesday
Water Center
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
7:30pm
- 9:30pm
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
As the summer sunsets and the heat dissipates, movement begins along the water’s edge. Join a Water Center educator to explore the twilight in and around the Columbia River and its wetlands. Look for signs of animals, learn about plants, look for bats, and identify the twilight stars and planets that appear in the early evening sky.
Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven, sandy beaches and along paved pathways. Trail not suitable for strollers. Binoculars available to borrow. Walk is suitable for ages 6 and older.
Registration is required. Sign up today!
If this event becomes full since space is limited and you see that registrations are no longer being accepted, please use the contact email below to add your name to the waitlist.
10:00am - 11:00am
Reading in the Wild
Water Resources Education Center
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
10:00am
- 11:00am
4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact: Water Center Staff at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in the Wild connects fun stories with nature activities. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden. This storytime is nature skills-themed.
We read, and your little ones explore! Sit under a tree, listen to a story, then roam around our garden to play with plants, rocks, water, soil and more.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.
Events
-
Water Resources Education Center
Reading in the Wild
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in…
-
Registration FullWater Resources Education Center
Litter Cleanup Event: Marine Park Beach
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Volunteer to pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on…
-
Water Resources Education Center
Reading in the Wild
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in…
-
Registration RequiredWater Resources Education Center
Water Center Garden Cleanup
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Join Water Center staff outdoors to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape. Volunteer activities may include weeding, mulching, trimming and raking pathways. All necessary tools will…
-
Water Resources Education Center
Reading in the Wild
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in…
-
Water Resources Education Center
Reading in the Wild
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in…
-
Registration RequiredWater Resources Education Center
Vancouver Lake Sunset Community Paddle Trip
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a free family-friendly evening canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big…
-
Registration RequiredWater Resources Education Center
Beach Cleanup at Marine Park
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Join the Water Center to pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk…
-
Registration RequiredWater Resources Education Center
Twilight Tuesday
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
As the summer sunsets and the heat dissipates, movement begins along the water’s edge. Join a Water Center educator to explore the twilight in and around the Columbia River and…
-
Water Resources Education Center
Reading in the Wild
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Reading in…