Whiskeytown Environmental School offers environmental education programs for students grades K - 8. Whiskeytown Environmental School (AKA: W.E.S. or N.E.E.D.
Camp, depending on when you, your children or your grandchildren attended) is located at the N.E.E.D. Camp, twelve miles west of Redding, CA in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The camp facility is owned and maintained by the National Park Service while the educational program is provided by the Shasta County Office of Education. W.E.S. offers a week-long residential outdoor science progr
01/30/2026
For our fabulous friends at Whiskeytown Environmental School Community
Newsletter, Winter 2026 ❄️ The afternoon brought together Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE) staff plus architects and engineering specialists in utilities, fire safety, lighting, and heating/cooling. WES Community also shared the studies completed to date and the progress toward rebuilding the campus amphitheater. Nath...
01/23/2026
Exciting news!
“Whiskeytown Environmental School is an important part of the Shasta County community,” notes Park Superintendent Josh Hoines. “We are excited to be moving the ball forward on the WES Rebuild and we invite public input in this process.”
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is seeking public comments on its vision for rebuilding Whiskeytown Environmental School after the devastating megafire of 2018 and subsequent burn scar flooding.
The public comment period for the Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild Environmental Assessment is open now through February 21, 2026. During this time, the public may read the full environmental assessment and provide input at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WES_Rebuild (left column)
In addition to submitting input online, the public is welcome to participate in the public meeting scheduled at noon on Saturday, February 7 at Hatcher Hall, located on the campus of Whiskeytown Environmental School.
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WES_Rebuild
ParkPlanning - Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild National Park Service - PEPC - Whiskeytown Environmental School Rebuild
Swiss scientists have created a new plastic-like material that's flexible, biodegradable, and even edible. The secret? It's still alive.
01/06/2026
We’re hiring! 🌟 Schreder Planetarium and Whiskeytown Environmental School are looking for enthusiastic educators to join a flexible, positive, and affirming team that finds real joy in working with kids. This is a unique opportunity to create wonder-filled science experiences—from presenting planetarium programs and running hands-on exhibits, to leading students through outdoor field science, creek explorations, and short hikes. While we hope applicants meet the listed qualifications, we strongly encourage anyone with experience working with children or who has a passion for science to apply using the link. If you’re looking for meaningful, joyful work with supportive colleagues and unforgettable moments with students, we’d love to hear from you.
Presenter-Whiskeytown Environmental School & Schreder Planetarium (Short-Term Assignment) at Shasta County Office Of Education | EDJOIN We are located in beautiful Northern California on the Sacramento River, near Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and many other natural wonders. We are an outdoor enthusiast's ideal destination. If you are searching for a place with affordable homes, where you can escape traffic....
12/30/2025
🔥Calling All Passionate Educators!🔥
Whiskeytown Environmental School & Schreder Planetarium are seeking dynamic and inspiring presenters to join our incredible team on a part-time, seasonal basis!
Do you:
- Burn with a love for the outdoors?
- Thrive in hands-on, experiential learning environments?
- Possess the gift of captivating young minds?
Then this is the perfect opportunity for you!
We're looking for enthusiastic individuals to lead engaging and informative programs for K-12 students at our stunning 🚀 Schreder Planetarium & Whiskeytown Environmental School!
Benefits:
- Make a real difference in the lives of young people.
- Gain valuable experience in environmental and science education.
- Join a passionate and supportive team.
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Apply now at:
Presenter-Whiskeytown Environmental School & Schreder Planetarium (Short-Term Assignment) at Shasta County Office Of Education | EDJOIN We are located in beautiful Northern California on the Sacramento River, near Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and many other natural wonders. We are an outdoor enthusiast's ideal destination. If you are searching for a place with affordable homes, where you can escape traffic....
12/16/2025
Its log but packed with all sorts of good stories, info and news on the happenings here at WES! Have a listen and let us know what you think!
Inspire Shasta, Episode 16: Rebuilding Wonder — The Past, Present & Future of Whiskeytown Environmental School - Inspire Shasta Guests:Nathan Fairchild, Science Director, Shasta County Office of Education; Director of Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES)Dr. Melinda Kashuba, President, WES Community (Nonprofit Partner)Hosts: Maggie Joyce & Jenn Cobb🌲 Episode SummaryFo...
06/03/2025
We often get asked if we are still open and having students on campus, YES! We love our schools and we are so grateful they continue to come visit us for our half day field labs!
Beautiful day here at WES as we wrap up the 24/25 school year. Lots of students passed through our gates and got an experience, unlike any other. Thank you to all our teachers and schools for making this year so amazing!
03/27/2025
A massive thank you to the fantastic students from Anderson New Tech! Their hard work made a tremendous difference as we prepared our campus for the spring field labs. Seven enthusiastic students tackled blackberry clippings and branch removal around the pond and field, proving to be both diligent and a pleasure to work with.
We also want to express our deep appreciation to our partners at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and the National Park Service for their vital role in coordinating this effort. And, as always, we're grateful to the Whiskeytown Environmental School Community for their unwavering support and action!
03/07/2025
We're gearing up for another exciting season at Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES), and we need your help to get campus ready for the students arriving on March 24th!
We're hosting a volunteer work day on Saturday, March 22nd, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Your assistance will be invaluable in ensuring our beautiful campus is welcoming and safe for our upcoming programs.
We'll be focusing on:
Willow Trail Maintenance: Spring has sprung, and our Willow Trail needs some TLC! We'll be clearing any obstructions and ensuring it's ready for hikers.
Campus Cleanup: We'll be gathering fallen sticks and branches that accumulated over the winter to tidy up the grounds and make everything look sharp.
What to Bring:
Work gloves
Sturdy shoes
Water bottle
If you have them, loppers, hand saws, or rakes would be helpful!
This is a great opportunity to contribute to environmental education and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Please RSVP with the link below so we can get an accurate headcount. Please feel free to share this post with your friends!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCiZYEtQWc-BsnaNp0BhXjZ8fhvdxwt0FWhWqmiMRf8IfPug/viewform
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there!
WES Volunteer Tracker Your time and energy are invaluable to our organization. We're seeking volunteers to help us with various projects. We have volunteer opportunities throughout the year, including weekend workdays. Please use this form to indicate your interest and help us plan for refreshments.