Washington State Parks (WSP) are ratcheting up their virtual amenities for those who, due to adverse weather or COVID-19, cannot visit the parks in person. WSP recently launched new learning opportunities to connect students and families to parks via their new Virtual Learning Parks webpage.

There and on the WSP YouTube channel, students and park patrons will find videos produced to be used at home, in a virtual classroom, or as part of any online learning. Essentially, a field trip with no permission slip field trip is required.

Educators can request an even more customized experience for their students by booking a curriculum supported virtual field trip with Skype in the classroom. Wade around the tide pools at Cape Disappointment or learn how homesteaders have changed the local landscape. Each session takes about 45 minutes.

WSP Rangers also make connections through their Facebook Live video presentations, which supplement the video presentations and further explain the wonders of the area's ecology, marine biology, the Lewis & Clark expedition, Washington's petrified forest, and more. Join live to ask questions on the history, biology, astronomy, or the park ranger experience. Past talks can be accessed through their video vault and include #AskaWaRanger question and answer sessions. Visit

https://www.parks.state.wa.us/1197/Virtual-Learning-Opportunities-in-Parks to learn more.