August Classes

Peter's Walking Tours and Continuing Education Courses.

The Foothills of Mt. Hood
Friday, August 2, 2024
Course Number SC417z 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
This class is not available to those who have already completed Mt. Hood's Western Slopes

In this fun and informative course, we will examine the natural environment of the Sandy, Oregon area, and the lower slopes of Mt. Hood. We’ll begin with an examination of the flora and fauna along the gorgeous banks of  Tickle Creek, and then we will visit an old growth forest along the Salmon River. Later, we’ll explore native salmon populations, wetlands species and recreational opportunities in the area with a visit to Cascade Streamwatch and the Wildwood Recreation Area. We will conclude with a visit to a magnificent waterfall and a walk along an abandoned section of the historic Mt. Hood Highway. Our field study and discussion can be adapted to science, history and art curriculum for all K-12 classes. As a result of this course, you will be prepared to teach about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the human impacts in the region, past and present.

NOTE:  We will walk about 5-7 miles during the day, so it will be important to arrive in relatively good physical shape. Our pace will be leisurely, and will focus on exploration, discovery and discussion. The materials packet should not exceed $10.


Biking the Burnt Bridge Greenway
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Course Number SC414f or SC514f 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

Explore the beauty of Vancouver's parks and green spaces on this leisurely, 16 mile round trip bike ride that traverses urban park lands, forests, and neighborhoods. Along the way, you'll learn more about trees and plants, local history, and wetlands.


Barlow Road and Clackamas County
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Course Number HI408j or HI508j 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

This class is not available to those who have already completed Mt. Hood's Western Slopes

In this fun and informative course, we will examine the historic Barlow Road within Clackamas County, discovering pioneer history at a variety of locations.  Our journey will take us from historic Downtown Sandy to the Philip Foster Farm, where we can experience living history. Later, visits to the Sandy Historical Museum, the Barlow Road Toll Gate and Laurel Hill will teach us more about the journey of the pioneers in this region. We will also discuss local trees, plants and animals. Our field study and discussion can be adapted to science and history curriculum for all K-12 classes. As a result of this course, you will be prepared to teach about the pioneer history of the area, the natural vegetation, and the Oregon Trail.
NOTE:  We will walk about 3-5 miles during the day, so it will be important to arrive in relatively good physical shape. Our pace will be leisurely, and will focus on exploration, discovery and discussion. The materials packet should not exceed $10.


Lower Sandy River
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Course Number HI 407L/HI507L 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

In this fun and informative class, we’ll discover the natural and human history of the Sandy River, as we explore the lower Sandy, from Oxbow Park to the mouth of the river in Troutdale. Along the way, we’ll discuss Lewis and Clark, more recent local history, native trees, plants and birds, salmon populations, recreational opportunities, and the future of the river. The day’s exploration will take us through an ancient forest, along the banks of the Sandy River, and into Troutdale. Our studies will focus on ways to bring this information to students, across the curriculum, through classroom lessons and field trips.


Mt. Hood’s Alpine Areas
Friday, August 9, 2024
Course Number SC418a 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

This class is not available to those who have already completed Mt. Hood's Western Slopes

In this fun and informative course, we will examine the alpine region of Mt. Hood, with visits to Mirror Lake and Trillium Lake, where we will explore the area’s plant and animal life. In addition, visits to the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Timberline Lodge will provide us with a study of the region’s human history. We will study art, architecture and the local economy, as well as the educational and recreational opportunities available near the mountain.

Our field study and discussion can be adapted to science, history and art curriculum for all K-12 classes. As a result of this course, you will be prepared to teach about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the human impacts in the region, past and present.

NOTE:  We will walk about 5-7 miles during the day, so it will be important to arrive in relatively good physical shape. Our pace will be leisurely, and will focus on exploration, discovery and discussion. The materials packet should not exceed $10.


OMSI & More
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Course Number SS411b or SS511b 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

Discover dozens of science, history, art and architectural lesson ideas, as we tour two impressive museums on Portland’s east side. We’ll visit OMSI and the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, and we will tour the outside exhibits adjacent to OMSI and discuss the natural and human history of the Willamette River. Along the way, we’ll discover lots of ideas for bringing the study of science, history and math to the classroom.


Bicycling the Banks-Vernonia Trail
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Course Number TBA 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

In this exciting new class, we’ll explore much of the 21 mile long Rails-to-Trails Banks-Vernonia State Trail on bicycle to discover an area rich in human and natural history. The mostly flat bicycle path will take us through farmland, forest land and to an amazing, historic railroad trestle. We will also visit Vernonia Lake. Along the way, we’ll discuss the area’s plant and animal life, and the human history of the area, including recreational opportunities.  In addition, we’ll discuss ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas.


Exploring Bonneville & Eagle Creek
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Course Number SS412y or SS512y 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

We'll begin with a two mile leisurely hike to Wahclella Falls. Later, we’ll tour Bonneville Dam to learn more about its history and its impact in providing hydroelectric energy for the Portland area. We’ll also look at salmon populations and recreational opportunities in the area. An additional visit to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery will enable us to study sturgeon, trout, and salmon. A study of the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks will also be included. We may see salmon spawning in Eagle Creek and hatchery fish awaiting spawning at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.


Hidden Hillsboro
Friday, August 16, 2024
Course Number SS410V or SS 510V 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

In this fun and informative class, we will tour Downtown Hillsboro and the Jackson Bottom Wetlands site in the morning. In the afternoon, we will tour the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, before concluding with a visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. This class will focus on local history, art, and the natural world. Dozens of ideas will be discussed for bringing information to students, through classroom lessons and field trips.


Biking the Columbia Gorge State Historic Trail
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Course Number SS413a or SS513a 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.

In this fun and informative adventure, we will explore three different sections of the Columbia River Gorge State Historic Trail. Along the way, we’ll learn the history of the old  highway, and we’ll discuss the geology, geography, waterfalls and flora of the area. Our morning explorations will take us from Cascade Locks to Tooth Rock, and from Wyeth to Starvation Creek. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way from Hood River to Mosier, passing through the Mosier Tunnels. TOTAL BICYCLING: Approximately 20 miles.