Events listed here are contingent on whether each jurisdiction is approved to enter the corresponding phase of the governor’s four-phase reopening plan. Events may be canceled or postponed. Check with each venue for the latest information.
Free park-ing: The next day of the year to visit Washington state parks in 2021 without an entrance fee is June 13 (Fishing Day). Other free parks days are Aug. 25 (National Park Service’s 105th birthday), Sept. 25 (National Public Lands Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Nov. 26 (Autumn Day). More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Wilderness first aid: If you work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities or recreate outdoors, this course is for you. REI is hosting a “Wilderness First Aid” class taught by the National Leadership Outdoor School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15-16 at Camp Edward, 25600 Monroe Camp Road, Snohomish. Be prepared for hands-on instruction on wilderness medicine over the course of two days. You’ll earn your Wilderness First Aid certification with completion of the class. There is a waitlist. Cost is $245 for members, $275 for non-members. Go to www.rei.com for more information.
Survival skills: Sno-Isle Libraries presents “Wilderness Survival Skills” at 6:30 p.m June 15 via Zoom. Jason Knight of Alderleaf Wilderness College will go over the keys to shelter-building, water purification, fire-making, wild edibles foraging and other skills that can keep you alive and enhance your outdoor experience. A Zoom link will be emailed after registration. More at www.sno-isle.org.
Get wild: The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts presentations the third Wednesday of the month. The next presentation, “Coastal River Otters” is set for 7 p.m. June 16 via Zoom. Local scientist Heide Island will talk about her research on the coastal behavior of wild river otters on Whidbey Camano Island Land Trust property. Since 2018, Island has been investigating residential otters’ foraging behaviors relative to variables like season, tidal current and time of day. She is a professor of comparative animal behavior and neuroscience at Pacific University. A Zoom link will be emailed to you with registration. Call 360-387-2236 or go to www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Boating safety: Be prepared before you take to the water this summer. The Everett Public Library presents “Introduction to Boating Safety” at 4 p.m. June 17 via Crowdcast. Martin Mooney of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will review an introduction to boating, laws, safety equipment, navigation, problems and more. Get answers to your boating questions and satisfy your curiosity so you can boat safely this summer. Register at www.crowdcast.io/e/boating. A link to the event will be emailed after registration. Call 425-257-8000. More at www.epls.org.
Mukilteo Yacht Club: Mukilteo Yacht Club is hosting its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 24 via Zoom — unless relaxed COVID-19 restrictions allow otherwise. The club offers several cruises each month to local destinations such as Langley and Kingston. Both power boaters and sail boaters are welcome. A Zoom link will be emailed with registration. Register at www.mukilteoyachtclub.com. Call 425-636-3310 or email myc@mukilteoyachtclub.com to confirm the location of the June meeting.
SnoCo Bike Bingo: Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, 2531 Broadway Ave., Everett, is hosting SnoCo Bike Bingo runs through June 30. The game gives people extra reasons to ride, to explore your community and support local business. One card has 25 fun things to do by bike. Prizes will be drawn weekly from completed bingos, and the grand prize is a new-to-you bike from Sharing Wheels. You must live or work in Snohomish County to play. You’ll be emailed a link to print your bingo card with registration. Register at sharingwheels.org/snoco-bike-bingo.
Beat Brackett 5K: Have an Edmonds Kind of Fourth with the 2021 Beat Brackett 5K. This year, you can run or walk the 5K live on the Fourth of July or go with the virtual option and run it at a date, time and route of your choice. Live runners will leave the starting line in groups of 15 every 5 minutes to provide extra space along the course. All runners and walkers, whether they choose a live or virtual race, will receive a commemorative shirt. Register by May 31 to guarantee your shirt size. More at www.beatbrackett.com.
Camano Crab Dash: The Camano Crab Dash is scheduled for July 17. Registration is $25 or $40 with a T-shirt. Additional T-shirts are $15 each. There is no day-of registration this year. Registration is now open at www.runsignup.com. Choose to run or walk a 5K or a 10K — it’s up to you! Race kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano, will be timed by BuDu Racing. Call 360-387-0222 or go to www.camanocenter.org for more information.
Outfitting at home: You can now make a free virtual outfitting appointment with an Alderwood REI expert on Aug. 12 via Microsoft Teams. Whether you are interested in exploring a new outdoor activity, want to get the next great piece of gear or advice for an upcoming adventure, an outfitting expert from the Alderwood store is available to help from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is required. A Microsoft Teams link will be emailed to you after you book your appointment. More at www.rei.com.
Find your favorite park: Still playing it safe? Virtually explore Washington’s state parks during the pandemic. Washington State Parks Foundation’s website features an interactive map of Washington’s 124 state parks, as well as virtual tours, park information and trip reports. The virtual tours provide a 360-degree view with navigational tools and a walk-through of state parks, trails, campgrounds, retreat centers, interpretive centers and vacation houses. More at www.waparks.org.
Email event information for this calendar with the subject “Outdoors” to features@heraldnet.com.
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