SUMMER AT KANIKSU LAND TRUST
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEWARDS
At Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT), summer is more than just a break from school. It’s an opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature, foster connection, and nurture the next generation of land stewards. This summer, our education programs including Camp Kaniksu, Trails & Tales, the Conservation & Education Summer Internship Program, and StoryWalk, are designed to inspire, educate, and strengthen our children's connection with the land.
Camp Kaniksu: Building Confidence and Connection
A Camp Kaniksu participant makes friends with a butterfly.
Each summer, Camp Kaniksu offers a space where kids not only explore the outdoors but also discover a deeper sense of confidence, resilience, and community. Through hands-on activities like hiking, shelter building, and wildlife observation, campers learn about the natural world while developing essential life skills.
“After just one day at Camp Kaniksu, my daughter’s entire disposition changed. She was more confident and outgoing. Even family members noticed that she had come out of her shell. It was amazing to see.” - Camp Kaniksu parent
These immersive experiences help participants build confidence and self-reliance, all while fostering a deep love and respect for the land. By encouraging young people to challenge themselves and work together, we’re nurturing the leaders and conservationists of tomorrow.
Trails & Tales: Sparking Imagination in Nature
Our Trails & Tales partnership with local libraries bring storytelling and nature together in a way that sparks creativity and a sense of wonder. As participants walk local trails, they engage with stories inspired by the very landscape they’re exploring. Through this program, we aim to deepen participants' connection to nature and community, helping them see the world through a different lens.
“A mom in my friend group told me about Trails & Tales. I told a few other moms and today there were a bunch of us here together. Our kids loved it!” - Trails & Tales parent.
Not only does it enrich their imaginations, but it also creates lasting memories and reinforces the importance of outdoor spaces for mental well-being and learning. Stories have the power to inspire and educate, and in nature, they come alive. Trails & Tales happens every Tuesday morning at Pine Street Woods (9:30 a.m.) and in Thompson Falls at Power Park (10 a.m.).
Conservation & Education Internship: Shaping Future Leaders
KLT’s Conservation & Education Summer Internship offers college students the opportunity to reconnect with their hometown while gaining hands-on experience in the fields of conservation and non-profit administration. By assisting with land stewardship and maintenance, conservation monitoring, partnership projects, event planning, and taking the lead on the Trails & Tales program, interns gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of how KLT’s programs positively impact the community.
“My internship helped me to make the connections and develop the qualifications for my current job doing watershed field research.” -Niah Brass, former KLT intern.
They not only learn about the intrinsic benefits of conservation work but also see firsthand the opportunities for conservation careers right here in their local community. The internship allows them to directly contribute to the preservation of the natural world while fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership.
Our current intern, Lily Simko from Hope observes the migration of cranes.
This experience helps interns realize the role they can play in their community’s environmental stewardship, cultivating a lasting commitment to sustainability and an enduring connection to their hometown’s natural beauty.
StoryWalk™: Encouraging Curiosity, Connection, and a Love of Reading
Finally, StoryWalk™ offers a simple yet powerful way to connect kids with nature and reading. As children walk along a community trail, they read pages of a story displayed along the trail. This blend of physical activity and literacy helps children engage both their minds and bodies, fostering mental and physical well-being.
A boy and his dad enjoy the StoryWalk at Dover City Park.
“We come back to read the new stories together every month!” - local parent
The immersive experience encourages family and community bonding, nurturing a love of reading. StoryWalk™ invites curiosity and a sense of adventure while promoting literacy in an outdoor setting. It's a reminder that the act of learning doesn’t have to be confined to a classroom, it can be a journey that connects us to both the world around us and the stories that shape us.
Each of these summer programs goes beyond providing just fun or education. They help to build a thriving community where connection to nature, personal growth, and social engagement are at the heart of what we do. By nurturing these qualities, we create more than just outdoor experiences; we foster an environment where young people are empowered, communities are strengthened, and a deep respect for the land is passed on to future generations.
