June 2017 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 7
Let science hit the road: Trips that spark learning
By JENNIFER COLTON-JONES
Taking a family summer road
trip remains a treasured American
tradition, but in between bonding
opportunities, a road trip can be
educational for your kids. Here are
several trip ideas focused on natu-
ral science.
Life Sciences and Biology Route:
McNary, The Dalles, Newport,
and Winston
Start your biology road trip in
Umatilla County at the McNary
Lock and Dam on the Columbia
River. Watch fish swim past the
viewing room window then take in
the interpretive displays, juvenile
fish facility and natural resources
office at the Pacific Salmon Visi-
tor Information Center. The center
also has audio-visual programs on
salmon and hydropower. Call ahead
to schedule a tour, find out the best
times to hit the fish viewing room
and perhaps watch scientists in
action. While at the dam, you can
stretch your legs on more than four
miles of trails.
Hit the road again and head west
toward the Columbia Gorge Discov-
ery Center and Museum. Among
its exhibits, events and gorgeous
scenery, the center also boasts the
Raptor Interpretive Program: an
MOVIES IN THE PARK
FREE series begins June 17
in Community Park with SING
Movies always start at dusk
up-close experience with live birds
of prey, including falcons, hawks,
owls and eagles. Live presentations
cover the attributes of each species
and challenges the animals face.
Demonstrations are offered daily;
call ahead to find the day’s sched-
ule or check the center’s website at
gorgediscovery.org.
When you’re ready, continue
west to the mouth of the Columbia,
then south along the coast to New-
port and the Oregon Coast Aquar-
ium. The facility also offers oppor-
tunity for animal experiences and
diving opportunities from sea otters
to sea dragons. The aquarium also
offers age- and grade-based edu-
cational opportunities and lessons
and daily feeding schedules (ad-
vanced registration required). The
Oregon Coastal Aquarium is open
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during its
summer season.
If your family wants to see lions,
zebras, giraffes and elephants out-
side of a zoo, continue south to the
Wildlife Safari in Winston. A non-
profit wildlife sanctuary dedicated
to conservation and education, this
is the only drive-through animal
park in the state. Wildlife Safari
features more than 500 animals on
400+ acres in Southern Oregon, and
is the top cheetah breeding facility
outside of Africa. Wildlife Safari is
open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Don’t forget the opportunity to
take a hiking or camping trip and
learn about Oregon’s native wildlife
— as close or as far from home as
you’d like.
PENDLETON AQUATIC CENTER OPENS JUNE 16
POOL PASSES
10% OFF
O
NOW UNTIL
L JUNE
J U
15
SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMPS!
$19/ WEEK, six weeks beginning 6/19
Sign up for one week or all six
541-276-8100 • www.pendletonparksandrec.com
Earth Science and Geology Route:
John Day Fossil Beds, Crater Lake,
and Lava Beds
This road trip takes you through
central and southern Oregon for a
journey through state and national
parks that tell a rich story that as-
piring geologists will love.
Education
Start your trip at the John Day
Fossil Beds National Monument
and learn the stories behind the
multi-colored painted hills, the re-
mains of a prehistoric jungle land-
scape, and the wonders of nature
and erosion. At 19,000 acres, it’s
one of the world’s richest areas for
fossils and a beautiful drive. Try
your hand as a paleontologist in the
Wheeler High School Fossil Beds,
hike one of the trails and visit the
Thomas Condon Paleontology Cen-
ter for hands-on and kid-friendly
exhibits and a working research lab.
Continue southwest to Oregon’s
only national park: Crater Lake.
Walk the rim of the lake and stop in
at the informational sites to learn
about the volcanic eruption that
formed the lake, and why the deep-
est lake in the United States is one
of the most pure. Ranger programs,
hiking and driving trails and interac-
tive exhibits make the trip educa-
tional for kids of all ages.
Further south, cross the Califor-
nia state line to take in Lava Beds
National Monument. Learn about
how lava flows formed seas of
stone and tube-like caves before
taking your family inside the caves
for a memorable experience. The
national monument has caves with
paved walking paths or caverns re-
quiring special gear and spelunking
training. You’ll also have the chance
to learn about bats and plant life.
________
Jennifer Colton-Jones is news direc-
tor of KOHU and KQFM, and mother
of three, based in Pendleton.