Upcoming outdoor events in Snohomish County and nearby

Published 4:19 pm Thursday, April 14, 2016

Learn: Everett Community College’s Ocean Research College Academy will host an information session from 6 to 7:15 p.m. April 21 at 1205 Craftsman Way, Suite 203, Everett.

Visitors and prospective students can see student work, meet faculty members, learn about the program and see the facility.

The application deadline for ORCA is May 2 for the 2016-17 school year.

ORCA is an early college academy for high school students, who can earn up to two years of college credit while completing their high school education. Most students graduate with an associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma. For more information, contact ORCA Executive Director Ardi Kveven at 425-267-0156 or go to EverettCC.edu/ORCA.

Bikes: Sharing Wheels community bike shop is seeking donations of kids bikes for its annual Kids Bike Swap. For more information go to Sharingwheels.org or call 425-252-6952.

Cleanup: April 23 is Washington Coast Cleanup Day. To find a spot to volunteer, go to www.coastsavers.org.

Free parks: Admission to all national parks is free this week, through April 24. The free week celebrates 100 years of the park service. Around here, Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks normally charge entrance fees. North Cascades National Park and Ebey’s Landing National Reserve are always free.

Fairies: Kids and adults can create forest fairies from natural materials from noon to 4 p.m. April 23 at Meerkerk Gardens on Whidbey Island, $10 per adult; kids 16 and under free; www.meerkerkgardens.org.

Pacific Coast: Conservation photographer Florian Schulz will tell stories and show photos from his book “The Wild Edge: Freedom to Roam the Pacific Coast” at 7:30 p.m. April 28 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. The event is part of the Seattle Arts and Lectures series. The book focuses on how regions far separated on the Pacific Coast are still affected by each other; www.lectures.org.

Trail skills: Learn trail maintenance skills at the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s North Cascades Trail Skills College, April 30 to May 1 in Concrete. The classes are free and meals are provided, although the PCTA requests that students volunteer at least 24 hours on trail projects in the coming year. Get details and register at http://bit.ly/1LBNzFx.

Boating skills: Two upcoming classed in Seattle offer useful skills fore recreational boaters. A class at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30 at Fishermen’s Terminal will teach how to keep small outboard engines running properly. Class is $40. Then on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14, also at Fishermen’s Terminal, learn about how to properly stand watch on a ship. Learn about charts, compass bearing, tides and currents, rules and much more. $50. To register or for more information on either class, contact Sarah Fisken at 206-543-1225 or sfisken@u.washington.edu.

Boat checks: The Everett Sail and Power Squadron will be offer free vessel safety checks by qualified examiners for local recreational boaters. The checks are May 7 and 21 at Port of Everett, South marina. Reserve a spot by emailing ESPSVSC@gmail.com.

Find it. Shoot it. Share it: On May 6 to 8, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve will host amateur filmmakers from around the region for the Ebey’s Reserve 50 Hour FilmSlam. A FilmSlam is a fast-paced film competition that requires teams of participants to shoot, edit and produce a movie all within a few days. Teams looking to compete in the FilmSlam have until April 29 to submit registration forms. Registration forms, rules and the Filmmaker’s Camera Bag are all available online www.nps.gov/ebla/. Advanced tickets and information on the Film Festival can be found at www.friendsofebeys.org. The FilmSlam is a part of a yearlong celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.

Email outdoor events to jloerch@heraldnet.com.