This month, 130 students from Sunrise Elementary in Enumclaw, Washington, and Concord International Elementary in Seattle got a chance to strap on snowshoes and walk over this winter’s 9-foot snowpack.

Among the many concepts that were discussed, students are most likely to remember why woodpeckers don’t get headaches when they poke holes in trees, the distinctive markings of a lightning struck tree, and that finding half a snow worm in your snowball is a good reason never to eat snow again! It was an especially memorable week thanks to Brenna White and Shandra Terry from the Regional Office who took part in the winter exploration and embraced the open concept office for a day in the forest.

At the end of the day, each student received an Every Kid in the Park Pass that will allow them and their families to explore national public lands for free.