July 21-July 25

The Study Tour in Washington State integrates a number of important aspects of women's leadership in Northwest history, society and culture covered in the academic program.

We will take you to a remote area of the State, a place of wilderness, unique ecosystems and pristine beauty.  This is one of the last pioneering outposts in the United States which to this day is still mostly protected as part of the Olympic National Park.  The communities in this area have close ties to the natural resources of the land and the sea, which once were harvested in their abundance. 

Native American tribes in this region are struggling to adapt to changes in the economic infrastructure, including diminishing natural resources.  Women have had a significant impact in this area as leaders in community and Native American tribal governments, as pioneers in the settlement and development of these areas and in land preservation as well as in habitat restoration and in the promotion of economic development.    

During the study tour you will -

• Develop self-reliance and confidence as leaders and cooperate as members of a team in a variety of outdoor settings that represent moderate physical and mental challenges, such as river rafting (accompanied by experienced guides).

• Join in group discussions, reflecting on the experiences of the past four weeks in terms of what you have learned and how this has changed your understanding of what you need to do to be a leader.  

• Learn about the courage, fortitude and resourcefulness of the early women pioneers, featured in the book Women to Reckon With: Untamed Women of the Olympic Wilderness.

• Meet Anna Matsche, a leader in her own right as the operator of a non-traditional business enterprise.  As the granddaughter of Minnie Petersen who is one of the early settlers of the Hoh River Valley, Anna will share some of her recollections of her grandmother's life, including a selection of Minnie's stories and experiences.

• Discuss with women leaders and elders of the S’Klallam tribe, the challenges/opportunities for women in today’s tribal societies. 

• In Forks, the setting for the films Twilight, New Moon, and the soon to be released Eclipse, you will have the chance to become a member of the “Wolf Clan” during your visit to the Quileute nation. The wolf is regarded as a pre-eminent symbol of leadership among the Quileute people.

• Visit the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge to see the results of one woman’s vision and action in relation to land preservation and habitat restoration.

• In addition there will be other activities to enhance your experience.

 The plan for the Study Tour in Washington is as follows:

Seattle - Port Townsend - Port Angeles
Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and through Poulsbo, a Norwegian fishing village to Port Townsend, a historical small harbor city on the Puget Sound.

• Presentation on Women Pioneers
• Discussion on history of the Port Townsend area

Visit Jamestown S'Klallam Native American Tribe

• Discussion with Women Leaders and Elders of the Tribe
• Native American History, Art and Carving Demonstration

Dinner and Overnight Port Angeles
Hotel Accommodations at Red Lion Inn

Port Angeles - Forks - Kalaloch - Pacific Ocean

• Visit to Hurricane Ridge – Olympic National Park
• Picnic in the Park.  Fabulous vistas of snowy peaks inland and overlooking the San Juan Islands and Canada on the other.
• Meeting with women leaders of Port Angeles
• On to the Quileute Indian Reservation and
• Sports activities/team building at Rialto Beach on the Pacific Ocean
• Visit Forks - setting of the popular novels and films "Twilight" and "New Moon"

Dinner and Overnight at Forks
Hotel Accommodations at Olympic Suites Inn

Hoh River – Lake Quinault
Morning departure for the Olympic National Park

• Discussion about local history and contributions of Pioneering Women
• Meet the granddaughter of Minnie Peterson, one of the early pioneering settlers of the Hoh River Valley
• Guided rafting float of the Hoh River, through dense rainforest wilderness
• Picnic lunch
• Afternoon and evening discussions about your experiences, your personal reflections
• Program evaluation and feedback

Dinner and Overnight at Lake Quinault
Accommodations at Lake Quinault Lodge

Aberdeen – Olympia – Tacoma – SeaTac

• Washington Cash: Microfinance models for farmers
• Visit Olympia Farmer's Market
• Olympia State Capitol City
• Lunch in Olympia - Indian Buffet
• Nisqually River Wildlife Preserve
• Discuss one Woman's vision and leadership in land preservation and habitat restoration
• Farewell to Washington Dinner

Overnight in Airport Hotel – SeaTac
Hotel Accommodations at SeaTac Hotel - TBA

Departure
Shuttle transfer to Airport
AM Departure flight to Washington DC

Washington DC: July 25-29, 2012

§  Port Townsend, Washington City Guide

§  Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce

§  Forks, Washington

§  Olympia – Washington State Capitol

§  Pioneer Women: How the West was Really Won

§  NW Women Pioneers

§  Environmental Leaders:  Celebrating 10 Women

§  Pacific Northwest Tribes

§  Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe

§  Quinault Indian Nation

§  Quileute Tribe

§  Olympic National Park

§  Guide to Olympic National Park

§  Olympic National Forest - USDA Forest Service

§  Lake Quinault

§  Lake Quinault Lodge

§   Rainforest Paddlers

§  Twilight Saga  in Forks