Calendar

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
9:30am - 11:30am

4911 NW 122nd St,
Vancouver, WA 98685

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 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.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

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.

Questions?  Contact the Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or email vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us   

Meeting Details

Thursday, June 26, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Ready to become a nature detective? Join us for a wetland adventure where you will learn to track animals like a pro!  From muddy footprints to hidden trails, you’ll learn to recognize the signs animals leave behind.

This program is for families with youth ages 8-12 years old.  All youth will need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.  Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven terrain, sandy beaches, and some paved pathways.

Registration is required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Saturday, June 28, 2025
9:00am - 11:00am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

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!

Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Meeting Details

Thursday, July 3, 2025
10:00am - 11:15am

4500 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us for a free tour of the City of Vancouver’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility. This 75-minute walking tour will take you behind the scenes of what happens to all the water that goes down the drains in your home, school, or business.  From a flush, to laundry, to washing dishes, all the water we use goes into underground pipes and to a treatment plant to be cleaned. Learn how to care for our water and our utilities in this unique tour.

Tour is suitable for ages 8 and older.  Closed-toed shoes required for all tour participants. Expect to walk 0.75 on paved surfaces. Participants will encounter several stairways during the tour.  There will be a space in the RSVP form to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Meet at the Marine Park Engineering building, next door to the Water Resources Education Center.  Detailed logistics will be sent to registered participants.

Registration is required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Saturday, July 5, 2025
9:00am - 11:00am

4501 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join the Water Resources Education Center to help remove litter from the beaches after the July 4^th holiday.  We will collect as much debris from the shoreline to prevent it from entering and polluting the Columbia River.

All cleanup gear will be provided.  Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven, mostly flat, sandy beach areas.  Volunteers will collect litter with litter pickers and carry it in buckets while walking the beach and surrounding area.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Meeting Details

Friday, July 11, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm

4500 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98660

Calling all young entomologists! Discover the fascinating world of insects as you explore their life cycles and learn how their unique body parts help them eat, move, and survive. Join us for an insect scavenger hunt in our garden and build your own insect out of clay to take home!

Program is suitable for youth ages 6-10 years old. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.

Advanced registration is required. Sign up today!

This program will be indoors and outdoors. Plan to spend at least 45 minutes outside, rain or shine, exploring our gardens for insects.

Space is limited for this program. If the event becomes full contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Thursday, July 17, 2025
9:30am - 11:30am

4500 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98660

Calling all budding botanists! Get ready to explore the wild and wonderful world of native plants in our wetland and river habitat. We’ll walk the trails, meet leafy locals, play plant-powered games, and create awesome nature art.

This program is for families with youth ages 8-12 years old.  All youth will need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.  Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven terrain, sandy beaches, and some paved pathways.

Registration required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Friday, July 18, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Have you ever wondered how fish like the Pacific lamprey and salmon make incredible journeys to the ocean and back home again? Dive into the fascinating life cycles of these amazing fish and discover fun facts through hands-on indoor and outdoor activities!

Program is suitable for youth ages 6-10 years old. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.

Advanced registration is required. Sign up today!

This program will be indoors and outdoors. Plan to spend at least 45 minutes rain or shine outside.

Space is limited for this program. If the event becomes full contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Tuesday, July 29, 2025
8:00pm - 9:30pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

As the summer sun sinks below the horizon, life stirs along the water’s edge. Join us for a twilight walk along the Columbia River and adjacent wetlands, where daylight gives way to night. Discover the subtle shifts of the evening as we look for signs of wildlife, explore native plants, watch for bats, and identify the first stars and planets emerging in the twilight 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 the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Thursday, July 31, 2025
9:30am - 11:30am

4911 NW 122nd St,
Vancouver, WA 98685

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 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.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

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.

Questions?  Contact the Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or email vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us   

Meeting Details

Thursday, August 7, 2025
10:00am - 11:15am

4500 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us for a free tour of the City of Vancouver’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility. This 75-minute walking tour will take you behind the scenes of what happens to all the water that goes down the drains in your home, school, or business.  From a flush, to laundry, to washing dishes, all the water we use goes into underground pipes and to a treatment plant to be cleaned. Learn how to care for our water and our utilities in this unique tour.

Tour is suitable for ages 8 and older.  Closed-toed shoes required for all tour participants. Expect to walk 0.75 on paved surfaces. Participants will encounter several stairways during the tour.  There will be a space in the RSVP form to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Meet at the Marine Park Engineering building, next door to the Water Resources Education Center.  Detailed logistics will be sent to registered participants.

Registration is required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details