Open Window School at Red Barn Ranch (Private)
Red Barn Ranch is built on the Mayor of Seattle’s vision to address the nature deficit of youth from historically underserved communities. City of Seattle Parks and Rec with its stakeholders to date, including Seattle Public Schools, Boys and Girls Club, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council, REI, and Earthcorps, look to reimagine the place as a contemporary facility to hold outdoor youth programs.
Opening in Spring 2024 with youth day camps, Red Barn Ranch is further envisioned to host overnight camps, trips, and programming integrated with the school curriculum, in collaboration with a growing network of partners. The place is a 40 acre site located in rural King County, southeast of Auburn, WA near the Green River Valley. It once supported various programs, including a 1970s City-run youth camp and a 1960s sports camp in service of Black youth. Growing from this legacy and coming together around the foundation of serving BIPOC youth, Red Barn Ranch is an opportunity to strengthen local partnerships, develop critical youth environmental educational programming, restore the health of the land, and grow community connections towards a sustainable and beloved space.
We welcome you to join us in the upcoming day of engagement as we begin to collectively shape the future of this place!
The Basics
Registration is required. EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water and snack bars. We will teach you everything you need to know! No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new! Be sure to sign in at registration when you arrive.
This video may give you a better idea of what to expect.
For your safety and comfort please bring:
- Clothing that can get dirty (because it will!)
- Clothing that will protect your legs against prickly plants (no shorts, please)
- Sturdy shoes that can handle some mud (closed toed shoes are required such as work boots, hiking boots, rubber boots, etc. NO sandals, flats, or heels)
- Rain gear and warm layers -OR- sun protection (check the weather!)
- Sack lunch and snacks (to refuel)
- Full water bottle (we will have a jug on-site for re-fills)
- Travel mug for tea/coffee
- If you have a favorite pair of gloves, feel free to bring them (otherwise we're happy to provide a pair)
The event will happen rain or shine!
What will volunteers be doing at the event?
While the exact tasks can vary, our projects focus on improving the forests and parks in our local cities. Healthy and thriving forests are vital to our community because they absorb and filter rain water, produce clean oxygen, provide living spaces for wildlife, and create a place for people to connect with the outdoors.
In order to help create healthy forests and green spaces, the work can include, but is not limited to:
- Removing weeds (like Ivy or Blackberry)
- Maintaining areas where these weeds have been removed (weeding or spreading mulch)
- Planting trees and shrubs during the rainy season (often ~Oct.-Feb.)
Groups
If you are coming as a group, the group leaders are expected to have an active role in our events. After registering your group, please get in touch with volunteer@earthcorps.org to make sure everything is in order. On the day of the event, make yourself known to the staff (in bright yellow vests) and arrive early in order to help guide your group members.Youth Policy
Youth under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. All volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 that are not with a parent or guardian must print and bring a filled out Youth Waiver the day of the event.
Youth and school groups are welcome to attend; leaders should contact the Volunteer Team to take care of all necessary preparations.
Directions
Red Barn Ranch
17601 SE Lake Moneysmith Rd, Auburn, WA 98092