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Tag: Family Events

  • North Mason Families: How to Take Kids Kayaking from Belfair State Park This Spring

    North Mason Families: How to Take Kids Kayaking from Belfair State Park This Spring




    For North Mason families wondering whether their kids are ready to kayak Hood Canal: the south end of the canal — your end — is where Washington’s beginner paddlers learn. Belfair State Park’s protected shoreline at the Great Bend is genuinely forgiving, the day-use beach is ADA-accessible, and the launch is twenty minutes from most Belfair driveways. Here’s how to plan a first family paddle this spring without making the rookie mistakes that ruin the trip.

    Why the Great Bend Is the Right Training Water

    Hood Canal is technically a fjord, and the southern reach where Belfair State Park sits is its sharpest curve — the Great Bend. The geometry breaks up Pacific swells before they reach you and gives the south end a dependably calmer surface than the open canal further north. For families with kids who have never been in a sit-on-top or tandem before, that matters more than any other factor.

    You still need to plan around afternoon wind. South-southwesterlies build through the day. Launch early, plan a short loop, and be back on land before lunch on your first outing. If your kids ask “can we keep going?” — perfect. End on a high note, not a wet exhausted note.

    The Family Day-Use Plan

    The simplest first trip looks like this:

    1. Buy a Washington Discover Pass ahead of time ($10 day, $30 annual) so you are not fumbling at the park entrance with kids in the car.
    2. Arrive at Belfair State Park before 9 a.m. Tide and wind both behave best in the morning.
    3. Set up a base camp in the day-use area. The park has 65 acres, restrooms, and a swimming-friendly tidal pool kids love when paddling is done.
    4. Launch from the beach. Stay within easy sight of your beach blanket. Paddle west toward the saltmarsh restoration zone — that’s where the water is calmest.
    5. Be off the water before any sustained breeze starts ruffling whitecaps. If you see whitecaps from the beach, you’re already late.

    The $12 paddler-only Cascadia Marine Trail campsite — site 148 — is not the right move for a first family outing. Save it for when your kids have a few day paddles under them and want the real experience.

    What to Bring (The Honest List)

    Hood Canal water is cold year-round. Even in July, immersion is a hypothermia risk. The non-negotiables for paddling with kids:

    • Properly fitted PFDs for every person, including parents. A child’s PFD must be sized for their weight; an adult PFD on a kid is a drowning hazard. Most PFDs have weight ranges printed on the inside.
    • A change of warm clothes per person, in a dry bag, on shore. If anyone goes in, you want fleece and a jacket waiting.
    • Sunscreen and hats. Glare off Hood Canal multiplies sun exposure.
    • Water, snacks, a whistle on each PFD.
    • The marine forecast checked within the hour — the South Hood Canal area on the National Weather Service site.

    Renting vs. Buying

    For a family’s first outing, renting makes sense. North Shore Hood Canal Kayaks at 3959 NE North Shore Road in Belfair operates by appointment — call ahead, no walk-ins. Tandem sit-on-top kayaks are the most family-forgiving option. Skip closed-cockpit sea kayaks until your kids have practiced wet exits.

    Some Hood Canal vacation rentals along North Shore Road include kayaks as part of the property package, which can simplify logistics if you have visitors staying with you.

    Pair the Paddle with a Tahuya Forest Day

    One of the underrated North Mason family weekends is paddling Belfair State Park in the morning and exploring Tahuya State Forest in the afternoon. The forest is 3.5 miles from Belfair and offers family-friendly trails plus picnic areas. Two kinds of nature in one day, both within the same county, both free or near-free with the Discover Pass you already bought.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How young can a child go kayaking on Hood Canal?

    There is no legal minimum, but practically, kids should be able to follow safety instructions, sit still in a tandem for 20–30 minutes, and tolerate a properly fitted child PFD. Most outfitters will rent to families with children as young as 4 or 5 in tandem boats with an adult — but the call belongs to the parent. If a child is afraid of water or unable to sit still, wait a year.

    Do kids need their own Discover Pass?

    No. The Discover Pass is per vehicle, not per person. One $10 day pass covers everyone arriving in the same car. If you visit Washington state parks more than three times a year, the $30 annual pass pays for itself.

    Is the water at Belfair State Park warm enough to swim in?

    The park’s tidal swimming hole — created by the historic tidal gate — does warm up in summer afternoons and is a popular spot for families. The open canal stays cold (50s to low 60s°F) year-round. If your kids end up in the open water unexpectedly, treat it as a cold-water situation and get them dry and warm immediately.

    What’s the closest restroom to the launch beach?

    Belfair State Park has ADA-accessible restrooms and coin-operated showers in the main day-use area, a short walk from the launch beach. There are no facilities on the saltmarsh side.

    What if the wind picks up while we’re on the water?

    Turn back immediately and stay close to shore. Hood Canal wind builds fast and the southerly fetch from the Great Bend can push small craft surprisingly far. If you cannot make headway, paddle to the nearest beach and walk back to your launch point along the shore. The park’s 3,720 feet of saltwater shoreline gives you a long landing zone.

    This is a family-focused companion to our Cascadia Marine Trail / Belfair State Park spring 2026 guide. For Tahuya Forest plans, see our family trail access guide.

  • Star Wars Night at Funko Field: Yoda Jerseys, Fireworks, and a Sunday Funday Finale to Close the Homestand

    Star Wars Night at Funko Field: Yoda Jerseys, Fireworks, and a Sunday Funday Finale to Close the Homestand

    What is happening at AquaSox Star Wars Night on May 9, 2026? The Everett AquaSox host the Hillsboro Hops at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Funko Field for Star Wars Night. The promotion includes limited-edition Yoda-themed jerseys auctioned for charity, character meet-and-greets on the main concourse, and a postgame Fireworks Extravaganza. The series concludes Sunday, May 10, with the homestand finale at 1:05 p.m.

    The Force at Funko Field: AquaSox Star Wars Night and the homestand finale

    If you are reading this on Saturday night and the AquaSox-Hops game is still in progress, here is the deal: the Frogs were rolling into the night at the better end of this homestand, the prospect group has been hot, and Star Wars Night at Funko Field is one of the four or five best fan-experience nights of the entire AquaSox season. We are not going to fabricate a final score before the box is signed off — the rest of this run is about what is verifiable right now and what to look for tomorrow.

    What is verifiable: The promo. The pitching matchup framing. The series state. The Sunday finale. The prospect-watch story, which has been the most fun part of the AquaSox’s first month-plus.

    The night, the jerseys, the fireworks

    The AquaSox lean into theme nights harder than almost any club in the Northwest League, and Star Wars Night sits in the same tier as Bigfoot Night and Funko Pop Night for spectacle. The team is wearing limited-edition Yoda-themed jerseys for tonight’s game — those jerseys go to a postgame charity auction, with proceeds typically supporting the AquaSox Foundation and partner youth-baseball programs around Snohomish County. If you are a Star Wars fan and a Frogs fan, you have been waiting for this night since the schedule released.

    The character meet-and-greet runs on the main concourse during the early portion of the game. Storm troopers, Jedi, and the usual rotating cast of fan-club volunteers run the costume booths. Kids who come in costume get the full deal. The postgame Fireworks Extravaganza is the standard Funko Field treatment — about 12 minutes of choreographed fireworks set to music, watched from the seats or the right-field lawn. It is the kind of postgame that turns a casual night out into a kid’s core memory.

    The series and the homestand

    The AquaSox came into Saturday night having won the Friday matinée 8-1 behind Colton Shaw’s gem (seven strikeouts) and home runs from Freicer Caron and Jorge Jimenez. That pushed the homestand into a strong position with games still to play Saturday and Sunday at Funko Field.

    The bigger context for this homestand is the prospect run. Felnin Celesten — the Mariners’ international-signing infielder — is on a tear, having been named the Northwest League Player of the Week back-to-back. Luke Stevenson, Seattle’s No. 8 prospect on most ranking systems, won the Mariners’ Hitter of the Month award for April. Brock Moore won the Mariners’ April Bullpen Award with eight-plus innings, 20 strikeouts, four saves, and an ERA south of 3. The whole pipeline has been pushing real signal up to High-A, and a lot of the players who get a Mariners callup over the next 18 months are in this dugout right now.

    Sunday: The homestand finale at 1:05 p.m.

    Sunday, May 10, the AquaSox close out the Hillsboro homestand at 1:05 p.m. — Sunday Funday at Funko Field, with kids running the bases postgame. After Sunday, the Frogs travel to a road series and Funko Field is dark for a stretch before the next homestand opens.

    The pitching matchup for Sunday will fall to whichever back-end starter the AquaSox are running through the rotation by then. Bryce Miller, the Seattle Mariners starter who made his rehab outing at Funko Field on Wednesday May 6 (5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 47 pitches), has finished his AquaSox rehab assignment and rejoined the Mariners’ rotation plan. So Sunday is back to the regular rotation — which has been good news because the back end of the staff has been a real strength all spring.

    What to watch for if you are at the park

    Felnin Celesten in the box. The 19-year-old has been the most exciting hitter in the Northwest League over the last two weeks. Watch his patience at the plate — the strike-zone discipline is the part of his profile that scouts have been waiting on, and it is showing up.

    Luke Stevenson behind the plate. Seattle’s No. 8 prospect is doing things at the plate that catchers his age usually do not do, and his game-calling at High-A has been one of the quiet stories of the season. Worth a look every at-bat.

    Brandon Eike’s home run pace. Eike has six home runs already through the early part of the AquaSox schedule. Eike, Stevenson, and Curtis Washington Jr. — who has four — are the bat trio that will define this lineup all summer.

    The bullpen back end. Brock Moore in particular. The Mariners-Award-winning April was not an accident — Moore has been one of the most reliable late-inning arms at this level all year.

    The fireworks. Always the fireworks. Funko Field’s set-up still holds up next to anything Snohomish County throws on the calendar.

    The fan-voice take

    Saturday night Star Wars Nights at Funko Field are the AquaSox at their best — full crowd, kids in costume, the prospect group on the field looking like the future of the Mariners’ lineup, and a crew of theme-night vendors that turn the whole thing into a carnival. This is the night you bring out-of-town family to. This is the night you take the kids to. This is the night you stay for the fireworks.

    And the bigger picture is also worth holding onto. The AquaSox are halfway through a deeply competitive homestand, the prospect-pipeline development that this organization is supposed to be doing is happening in plain sight, and the team is one of the more fun reasons to live in Snohomish County right now. If you have not been to a game yet in 2026, fix that this week.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time does AquaSox Star Wars Night start?
    First pitch is 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Funko Field in Everett. Gates typically open about an hour and 15 minutes before first pitch.

    What are the jerseys like?
    Limited-edition Yoda-themed jerseys worn by the players during the game. The jerseys are auctioned for charity after the game.

    Are there fireworks?
    Yes — postgame Fireworks Extravaganza, the standard Funko Field treatment of about 12 choreographed minutes set to music.

    When is the homestand finale?
    Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 1:05 p.m. — the standard Sunday Funday afternoon game at Funko Field with kids running the bases postgame.

    Who is the AquaSox prospect to watch right now?
    Felnin Celesten has been on a tear, named back-to-back Northwest League Player of the Week. Luke Stevenson won the Mariners’ April Hitter of the Month award. Brock Moore won the Mariners’ April Bullpen Award.

    Where is Funko Field?
    3900 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201 — on the Everett Memorial Stadium grounds adjacent to Everett Community College.

    How can I get tickets?
    AquaSox.com or Ticketmaster. The team also runs walkup ticket windows on game days.

    Where is Bryce Miller now?
    Miller completed his second AquaSox rehab outing on Wednesday, May 6, throwing five scoreless innings at Funko Field. He has rejoined the Mariners’ rotation plan.

  • Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County: The Complete 2026 Guide to the Everett Club’s 80-Year Legacy, Programs, and How to Enroll Your Kids

    Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County: The Complete 2026 Guide to the Everett Club’s 80-Year Legacy, Programs, and How to Enroll Your Kids

    Q: What does the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County offer in Everett in 2026?
    A: The Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County operates 27 clubs across the county, with two serving Everett: the main Everett Club (at its current location since 1965) and the South Everett/Mukilteo Club. The Everett Club serves nearly 1,000 members ages 5–18 annually with before and after-school care, summer camp, STEM programming, fine arts, sports leagues, teen programs, and the Power Hour homework help program. In 2026, the organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary — the Everett Club was the first one opened, in 1946.

    Everett’s Boys & Girls Club Turns 80 in 2026

    When someone opened the first Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County in 1946, they opened it in Everett. Boeing was ramping up after World War II. The city was building its future. And a group of community members decided that kids needed a safe, positive place to go after school and during the summer months.

    Eight decades later, that original Everett Club is still operating — at its current location since 1965 — and the organization it helped seed now operates 27 clubs across all of Snohomish County. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is marking its 80th anniversary. It’s a milestone that most Everett families walk past or drive by without fully understanding what’s inside.

    What the Everett Club Actually Offers

    The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 1,000 members every year. Members are kids ages 5–18. The program menu is broader than most people know:

    Before and After-School Care

    For working families — and Everett has a lot of them, whether parents work at Boeing, at the Navy base, at the hospital, or anywhere else in the county — the daily logistics of school drop-off and pickup are a genuine challenge. The Club provides structured before-school and after-school care, giving parents predictable coverage during the working hours that don’t align with school schedules.

    Summer Camp

    Summer camp is the Club’s highest-demand program. It runs all day, spanning the full summer break, with structured activities, field trips, STEM projects, sports, and arts. For Everett families facing the annual summer care gap — the weeks between school ending and the next structured activity option — the Club’s summer camp is often the best-value option in the city. Summer 2026 registration is open now.

    Power Hour: Homework Help That Works

    Power Hour is the Club’s structured academic support program: a dedicated daily homework period with staff support, designed to help kids complete their assignments before dinner — which means more family time in the evenings and better academic outcomes. For families in Everett’s strong school district (Everett School District recorded a 96.3% graduation rate), the difference between a kid who has Power Hour support and one who doesn’t can be meaningful over time.

    STEM Programming

    Everett is an aerospace and technology city. The Club’s STEM programming reflects that — giving kids exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math in hands-on ways during the after-school hours. For a city where Boeing, Paine Field, and the aerospace supply chain are among the largest employers, planting early STEM interest in the next generation has both community and economic significance.

    Fine Arts and Teen Programs

    Fine arts programming gives kids exposure to visual and performing arts outside of school curriculum. Teen programs address the specific developmental needs of older Club members — leadership development, job readiness, college preparation, and mentoring opportunities that the younger programs don’t cover.

    Two Clubs Serving Everett

    The main Everett Club has been at its current location since 1965. The South Everett/Mukilteo Club extends the organization’s reach into South Everett, near the Casino Road corridor and the Mukilteo School District boundary. The geographic spread means the Club serves both North Everett families and South Everett families — including the high-density, multi-ethnic communities on Casino Road and the families in neighborhoods like Cascade View, Twin Creeks, and Westmont-Holly.

    Between the two Everett-area clubs, coverage across the city is substantial. The 27-club county network also means that families who move within Snohomish County don’t have to start over — they can find a Boys & Girls Club near their new address. For families on Casino Road specifically, the South Everett/Mukilteo Club is the relevant location.

    The Three Pillars: What the Club Is Actually Trying to Build

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County organizes its programs around three pillars: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development. These aren’t just marketing language — they’re the framework that determines how staff design programs and how they measure whether they’re working.

    Academic Success means Power Hour and homework support. Healthy Lifestyles means sports, nutrition awareness, and physical activity during hours when kids might otherwise be sedentary. Character and Leadership Development means the mentoring, conflict resolution, and civic participation programs that don’t show up in academic performance metrics but shape the adults those kids become.

    Enrollment and Access

    The Club’s accessibility model is one of its most important features: membership fees are deliberately kept at a level that doesn’t exclude working families. The Club actively provides access for families who need fee assistance. In a city with Everett’s economic diversity — Boeing engineers and warehouse workers, Navy families and recent immigrants — the Club’s accessibility across income levels is what makes it a community institution rather than a middle-class amenity.

    Summer 2026 registration is open now. Families can enroll through the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Club website or by contacting the Everett Club directly. For other community support resources in Everett, the Volunteers of America Western Washington guide and the Everett community services guide cover the wider network.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I enroll my child in the Boys & Girls Club in Everett?

    Contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County through their official website or call the Everett Club directly. Summer 2026 registration is open now. Staff can also provide information on membership fees and financial assistance options.

    What ages does the Boys & Girls Club serve in Everett?

    Ages 5–18. Programs are tailored by age group, with separate programming for elementary-age children, middle schoolers, and teens. The summer camp serves the full range; after-school care focuses primarily on school-age children.

    Is the Boys & Girls Club in Everett affordable for working families?

    Yes. The Club’s membership model is designed to be accessible across income levels, and fee assistance is available. The Club has served working-class Everett families since its 1946 founding and maintains accessibility as a core organizational value.

    How many Boys & Girls Clubs are there in Snohomish County?

    27 clubs across the county as of 2026. Two serve the Everett area: the main Everett Club and the South Everett/Mukilteo Club.

    When was the first Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County opened?

    1946, in Everett. That makes the Everett Club the founding club for the entire Snohomish County organization. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    Does the Boys & Girls Club offer summer programming in Everett?

    Yes. Summer camp is one of the Club’s highest-demand programs, running all day through the full summer break. Summer 2026 registration is open now. It covers structured activities, field trips, STEM projects, sports, and arts across the full 5–18 age range.

  • Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County Is Turning 80 — Here’s What the Everett Club Has Offered This Community for Eight Decades

    Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County Is Turning 80 — Here’s What the Everett Club Has Offered This Community for Eight Decades

    📖 Exploring Everett — In-Depth Coverage of This Story

    Q: What does the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County offer in Everett?
    A: The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 1,000 members ages 5–18 annually with before and after school care, summer camp, STEM programs, fine arts, sports, teen programs, and the Power Hour homework help program. In 2026, the organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    When the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County opened its first club in Everett back in 1946, the city looked very different. Boeing was still ramping up after World War II. Everett was building its future. And a group of community members decided that kids needed a safe, positive place to spend their time outside of school hours.

    Eight decades later, that same conviction is still the engine of the organization — and the Everett Club is still one of the most active in the county.

    In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary. It’s a milestone worth understanding, because a lot of Everett families still don’t know what’s inside that building — or how accessible it is to get their kids enrolled.

    The Everett Club: What It Is, What It Does

    The Everett Boys & Girls Club has been at its current location since 1965 and serves nearly 1,000 members every year. Members are kids ages 5–18. The programs span a wide range: before and after school childcare for working families, summer camp with all-day activities, STEM programming, fine arts classes, sports leagues, and specialized programming for teens.

    The Power Hour homework help program is one of the most popular offerings — structured academic support during the after-school hours when kids are most likely to fall behind. For families navigating Everett’s strong academic environment — including the Everett School District’s record 96.3% graduation rate — after-school structure makes a real difference.

    The club’s three core pillars — Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development — aren’t just marketing language. They’re the framework that shapes how programs are designed and how staff measure outcomes.

    The South Everett/Mukilteo Club extends the organization’s reach into the southern part of the city, serving families closer to Casino Road and the Mukilteo School District boundary. Between the two Everett-area clubs, the coverage across the city is substantial.

    Turning 80 in a County With 27 Clubs

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County now operates 27 clubs across the county — Everett, South Everett/Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Arlington, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Granite Falls, and more. But the Everett Club holds a particular distinction: it was the first.

    In 1946, when this organization was just getting started, Everett was the entry point. The 80th anniversary the organization is marking throughout 2026 carries that history. For families in Everett who have been sending kids to the Club for generations, this anniversary year has a specific resonance.

    Summer 2026: Registration Is Open Now

    Summer 2026 programming is now available for enrollment. The summer camp program offers all-day care with activities, special guests, and weekly themes — which makes it one of the more practical options for working parents who need full-day coverage during June, July, and August.

    Unlike school-year programming, summer camp is structured to keep kids engaged across a longer day. Themes rotate weekly, activities include both indoor and outdoor programming, and the Club’s staffing model ensures kids are actively doing things — not just being watched.

    Summer slots fill faster than most families expect. Registration is online at bgcsc.org.

    What It Costs — And Who It’s For

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is structured to be accessible to families at a range of income levels. The organization actively fundraises and seeks sponsorships specifically to keep membership fees from being a barrier. If cost is a concern, it’s worth asking — the Club has mechanisms to help.

    This is not a private enrichment program for one demographic. The Club’s entire model is built on serving kids who need it most — kids who benefit from having somewhere structured, safe, and run by adults who know what they’re doing during the hours between school dismissal and when a working parent gets home. It’s the same mission that drives organizations like Housing Hope and Cocoon House in Everett — a community that has a long history of building infrastructure around young people who need it.

    That mission has not changed in 80 years.

    How This Connects to Everett’s Bigger Picture

    The Everett School District posted a record 96.3% graduation rate. The Cascade High IB program is drawing families from across south Everett. EvCC and WSU Everett are within reach for teens thinking about what comes after high school. The Mukilteo School District is investing heavily in its south Everett service area.

    The Boys & Girls Club fits into this ecosystem as connective tissue — the place where kids build the habits, relationships, and confidence that make those next steps more likely to land. Academic success doesn’t happen in school alone. The Club is one of the few organizations in Everett specifically designed to fill the after-school hours well.

    Getting Started

    Both Everett-area clubs are part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, with unified registration at bgcsc.org/clubs/everett and a social presence through their Facebook page and @BGClubsSC on X.

    Eighty years in, the Club is still one of the best investments available to Everett kids and families. Summer 2026 registration is open. If your family hasn’t walked through the door yet, this is a good year to start.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What ages does the Boys & Girls Club Everett serve?
    The Everett Boys & Girls Club serves members ages 5–18 through before and after school programs, summer camp, sports, STEM, Power Hour homework help, and teen programming.

    Is there a Boys & Girls Club in South Everett?
    Yes. The South Everett/Mukilteo Club serves families in the southern part of the city, including areas near Casino Road and the Mukilteo School District boundary.

    How much does Boys & Girls Club membership cost in Everett?
    Membership fees are kept low by design. The organization actively raises funds to keep the Club accessible. Current pricing is available at bgcsc.org or by contacting the Everett Club directly.

    Is summer 2026 registration open at the Boys & Girls Club?
    Yes. Summer 2026 registration is open at bgcsc.org. The summer camp program offers all-day care with weekly themed activities and special guests.

    What programs does the Everett Boys & Girls Club offer?
    Programs include STEM, Power Hour (homework help), fine arts, sports leagues, teen programming, before and after school childcare, and summer camp — organized around Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character and Leadership Development.

    When was the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County founded?
    The organization was founded in 1946 when the Everett Club became the first club in Snohomish County. In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

    How many clubs does Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County operate?
    As of 2026, the organization operates 27 clubs across Snohomish County, from Everett and Lake Stevens to Arlington, Marysville, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and beyond.

  • Everett Public Schools Summer 2026: Your Complete Guide to Summer Academy, Career Link, and What to Register For Now

    Everett Public Schools Summer 2026: Your Complete Guide to Summer Academy, Career Link, and What to Register For Now

    Everett Public Schools Summer 2026: Your Complete Guide to What’s Available, What’s Free, and What to Register For Right Now

    **What summer learning programs does Everett Public Schools offer in 2026?**

    Everett Public Schools runs four primary summer programs in 2026: the High School Summer Academy (July 6–24 in-person at Eisenhower Middle School; June 22–July 30 online), the Everett Ready kindergarten transition program in August, i-Ready online academic support for K–8 students, and Middle School Summer Programming for foundational skills. Most in-district programs are free. Online high school courses carry a tuition of $350 per half credit for in-district students.

    School is still in session, but summer 2026 is already underway in one sense: Everett Public Schools opened registration for its summer programs back on March 9, and for some of them — including the Everett Career Link paid internship program — the window is already closed. If you have an EPS student and haven’t looked at this yet, now is the moment.

    Here’s what’s available, who it’s for, and what it costs.

    High School Summer Academy: Credit Recovery, Acceleration, and Real Support

    The anchor program for EPS high schoolers is the High School Summer Academy, which runs two tracks:

    In-person track: Classes run July 6–July 24, 2026, held at Eisenhower Middle School. These are primarily credit recovery courses — designed for students who need to retake a course or pick up a credit they’re short on before the next school year. In-district students pay no tuition for in-person credit recovery. Support is available for Multilingual Learners and students with IEPs.

    Online track: Classes run June 22–July 30, 2026. These include both credit recovery and acceleration options. Tuition is $350 per half (0.5) credit for in-district students; $450 per half credit for out-of-district students. Online courses are scheduled for students who want to get ahead or who have scheduling conflicts with the in-person session.

    Both tracks include practical support: free breakfast and lunch are provided for all students in in-person sessions, and transportation is available from several pick-up sites across the district. For families managing complicated summer schedules, that combination of free meals and provided transportation removes two of the most common barriers to actually showing up.

    The Summer Academy is the district’s primary mechanism for keeping students on track for graduation — and for Cascade High students working toward IB requirements or other multi-year academic pathways, it’s also a tool for strategic course completion. If your student needs a specific credit before September, this is the fastest path to getting it done.

    Middle School Summer Programming: Building the Foundation Early

    EPS also runs Middle School Summer Programming designed to support students who need to solidify foundational academic skills before the next year begins, as well as students who want to accelerate into more advanced coursework.

    This is worth paying attention to: middle school is when academic trajectories often set in ways that follow students into high school. Students who enter 9th grade with a strong foundation in math and literacy are statistically better positioned for the four years ahead. EPS’s middle school summer option exists precisely to help students get to that starting line in better shape.

    Details on specific middle school session dates and locations should be confirmed directly at everettsd.org/summeropportunities, as enrollment and scheduling are managed through the district’s main summer hub.

    Everett Ready: Kindergarten Is Closer Than You Think

    For families with children entering kindergarten in fall 2026, EPS runs the Everett Ready transition program in August. This program is designed to help incoming kindergartners build confidence, develop familiarity with the school environment, and practice the routines that make the first weeks of school go more smoothly — for kids and parents alike.

    If you have a child who has never been in a structured school setting, or one who is anxious about the transition, Everett Ready is a low-pressure way to make the start of kindergarten feel less like a leap. The program runs before the school year begins, which means students arrive in September having already met teachers, seen their classroom, and practiced the basics.

    This one is first-come, first-served in terms of interest — if you haven’t reached out to your elementary school about Everett Ready, do it soon.

    i-Ready: The Online Tool That Works All Summer

    For students in kindergarten through 8th grade, EPS uses i-Ready as an online learning platform that supports continued academic progress through the summer. i-Ready is an adaptive tool — meaning it adjusts to each student’s level — and it works in both math and reading.

    This is not an assigned summer homework load. i-Ready works best when students are using it consistently, even briefly, to keep skills activated over a summer that can otherwise function as a long academic reset. The data on summer learning loss is real: students who don’t practice over a long break often start September behind where they finished June. i-Ready is the district’s lightweight, low-friction response to that problem.

    If your student has an EPS login, they should already have access to i-Ready. If you’re not sure how to access it, your student’s school can confirm credentials.

    Everett Career Link: One to Watch for 2027

    Everett Career Link is EPS’s partnership program with Snohomish STEM, the City of Everett, and regional employers that places students in real workplace environments — learning what a specific job actually looks like, building professional skills, and earning high school credit in the process. Think of it as a structured paid or credit-bearing internship program designed for high schoolers before they graduate.

    Summer 2026 registration for Career Link is now closed. The window for Summer 2027 opens in January of next school year. If you have a high schooler who is career-curious — especially one interested in aerospace, healthcare, public administration, or manufacturing — Career Link is worth flagging now so you don’t miss the January window. The program fills up.

    Why Summer Learning Matters for EPS Students This Year

    Summer 2026 arrives with some specific context for EPS families. The district is in the middle of a platform transition — Naviance is being replaced by SchooLinks as the state’s mandated college and career planning tool, with the change taking effect September 2026. Students who use Career Link, Summer Academy, or any EPS college-prep pathway this summer will be among the first to navigate that transition on the new platform.

    Everett Public Schools’ graduation rate reached a record 96.3 percent in 2025, and Cascade High hit 96.6 percent specifically — numbers that reflect a district genuinely committed to getting students across the finish line. The summer programs are part of the same infrastructure: they exist because the district has decided that summer is not a gap to manage around but a resource to use.

    You can review the full suite of summer options at everettsd.org/summeropportunities.

    Frequently Asked Questions About EPS Summer 2026

    When does the High School Summer Academy run in 2026?

    In-person sessions run July 6–July 24, 2026 at Eisenhower Middle School. Online sessions run June 22–July 30, 2026.

    Is the High School Summer Academy free?

    In-person credit recovery is free for in-district students. Online courses are tuition-based: $350 per half credit for in-district students and $450 per half credit for out-of-district students. Free breakfast and lunch are provided during in-person sessions.

    What is Everett Career Link?

    Everett Career Link is a partnership between Everett Public Schools, Snohomish STEM, the City of Everett, and regional employers that places high school students in real work environments for experiential learning and high school credit. Summer 2026 registration is closed; Summer 2027 registration opens in January.

    What is Everett Ready?

    Everett Ready is an August transition program for students entering kindergarten in the fall. It familiarizes children with school routines, their classroom, and their teachers before the school year begins.

    What is i-Ready?

    i-Ready is an adaptive online learning platform for EPS students in grades K–8 that supports summer reading and math practice. Students with active EPS logins can access it independently over the summer.

    Where can I find all EPS summer program details?

    The official hub for all Everett Public Schools summer programs is everettsd.org/summeropportunities, which is updated as sessions approach.

  • The Everett Farmers Market Opens This Mother’s Day — Here’s How to Make a Full Morning of It

    The Everett Farmers Market Opens This Mother’s Day — Here’s How to Make a Full Morning of It

    Quick answer: The Everett Farmers Market opens for the 2026 season on Sunday May 10 — Mother’s Day — at 2930 Wetmore Ave, Everett. Hours: 10:30am early access (seniors/high-risk), 11am general. Free admission. Fresh flowers, spring produce, baked goods, local honey, artisans, and live music every week through October.

    The Everett Farmers Market Opens This Mother’s Day — Here’s How to Make a Full Morning of It

    Every year the Everett Farmers Market opens on the second Sunday in May. Every year that Sunday is Mother’s Day. And every year this coincidence creates the best morning in Everett’s calendar: the whole city turns out, the flower vendors are stacked, and downtown smells like fresh bread and spring greens before noon.

    This Sunday, May 10, is that morning. The 2026 season opens at 2930 Wetmore Ave at 10:30am (early access for seniors and high-risk customers) and 11am for everyone else. Here’s how to make it count.

    The Flowers: This Is the Move

    If you are going to the Everett Farmers Market on Mother’s Day, you are going for the flowers. Full stop.

    The market’s Hmong farmer vendors are there every single Sunday with fresh-cut seasonal flower bouquets — and on opening day, which lands on the biggest flower-buying holiday of the year, they arrive loaded. These aren’t grocery store bouquets wrapped in cellophane. They’re cut that morning, arranged right there, priced to move, and the kind of thing you hand someone and they immediately want to know where you found them.

    In early May in the Pacific Northwest you’re looking at tulips wrapping up their final weeks, ranunculus in full bloom, anemones, sweet peas just starting, and the first cutting peonies of the season depending on the growing year. Get there at 10:30 if you can — the best bouquets go to the early arrivals on opening day.

    What’s Fresh in Early May

    The first week of the season is never peak abundance — that’s July and August when the tables are buried in tomatoes and stone fruit. But May has its own season, and it’s worth knowing what you’re shopping for.

    Look for: spring greens (arugula, spinach, mix lettuces, kale), radishes, green onions, asparagus if the season has been warm, greenhouse starts (tomato and pepper seedlings if you’re planting), and fresh herbs. The baked goods vendors are there year-round — look for sourdough, pastries, and local honey. Several local farms bring eggs and early season jams.

    The vendor map is updated by Saturday noon before each Sunday market, so check everettfarmersmarket.com Saturday evening to see exactly who’s coming Opening Day.

    The Opening Day Energy Is Different

    We want to be clear: the Everett Farmers Market in August, when every table is overflowing and the line for the corn guy wraps around the block, is incredible. But Opening Day has something you can’t get any other week.

    Vendors who haven’t seen each other since October are catching up. Regulars who’ve been driving to Arlington or Edmonds for their farmers market fix all winter are finally home. The musicians who play live every Sunday are in the first-day-of-school mood. And the sheer density of people who turn out for Opening Day on Mother’s Day makes the corner of Wetmore feel like a neighborhood that knows itself.

    It’s loud and it’s crowded and it smells like fresh bread and it’s exactly what a farmers market is supposed to be.

    How to Plan the Morning

    Here’s the move: arrive at 10:30 if anyone in your group qualifies for early access. 11am works fine otherwise — just know the flower situation will have thinned slightly. Budget an hour at the market. Buy flowers. Buy something for breakfast if the pastry vendors have what you need. Then head to the waterfront.

    Jetty Bar & Grille at Hotel Indigo (1028 13th St) has Mother’s Day brunch specials this Sunday — Brioche French Toast, Spanish Quiche, mimosas, and their full marina-view brunch. From Wetmore Ave to the waterfront is under 10 minutes by car. You arrive with flowers. You sit down to a view of Possession Sound. That’s the morning.

    If you prefer coffee and a walk, The Loft Coffee Bar on Hewitt Ave is open and a 10-minute walk from the market. STRGZR Coffee & Kitchen at 1422 Hewitt is another solid option if you want breakfast burritos alongside the coffee.

    The Bigger Picture: Why This Market Matters

    The Everett Farmers Market has been running since the early 1990s and has become one of the anchors of downtown Everett’s summer identity. Every vendor at that market is a small business — a farm family, an artisan baker, a beekeeper — and every dollar spent there goes directly to the people who grew or made what you’re buying. No middleman, no distributor markup.

    The market runs through October at the same location, every Sunday, 11am to 3pm. If you make it a weekly habit this season, you’ll notice how the market changes week to week as the growing season advances — from the delicate May greens all the way to the full-load harvest tables of September. Worth the habit.

    Everett Farmers Market — 2026 Season
    2930 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201
    Every Sunday May 10 through October
    10:30am early access (seniors/high-risk) | 11am–3pm general
    Free admission | (425) 422-5656 | everettfarmersmarket.com

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does the Everett Farmers Market open in 2026?

    Sunday May 10, 2026 — Opening Day is Mother’s Day. The market runs every Sunday through October at 2930 Wetmore Ave.

    What time does the Everett Farmers Market open?

    10:30am early access for seniors and high-risk customers; 11am general opening. Market closes at 3pm.

    Does the Everett Farmers Market have flowers?

    Yes — Hmong farmer vendors bring fresh-cut seasonal flower bouquets every Sunday. On Opening Day / Mother’s Day expect the biggest flower selection of any single market day.

    Is the Everett Farmers Market free?

    Yes, admission is free. 2930 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201.

    What can I buy at the Everett Farmers Market in May?

    Spring greens, radishes, asparagus, fresh herbs, greenhouse plant starts, eggs, local honey, baked goods, fresh flowers, and artisan crafts.

    How do I find out which vendors are at the Everett Farmers Market?

    The vendor map is updated by Saturday noon the week before each Sunday market. Check everettfarmersmarket.com/all-vendors/ for the current list.

  • Spring Into Community: Mason County Events Fill the Calendar This Mother’s Day Weekend

    Spring Into Community: Mason County Events Fill the Calendar This Mother’s Day Weekend

    Mother’s Day weekend arrives with a full slate of Mason County community gatherings, from a beloved animal-rescue fundraiser celebrating its 20th anniversary to a charity run honoring women fighting cancer. Whether you are looking to stock your garden, lace up your running shoes, or explore the season’s freshest produce, Mason County has something happening for every household this Saturday and Sunday — and a big summer festival already on the horizon.

    Adopt-A-Pet Plant Sale Celebrates 20 Years of Giving Back

    Adopt-A-Pet of Shelton brings its signature springtime fundraiser back for the 20th consecutive year, hosting the annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Our Community Credit Union at 2948 Olympic Highway North, Shelton.

    The sale is one of the most anticipated community fundraisers on the county calendar, offering something for every type of gardener. Shoppers can browse a wide selection of trees, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables, indoor plants, and native species — all competitively priced to benefit the animals in Adopt-A-Pet’s care. A food truck will be on-site throughout the day, and artisan vendors will offer ceramic and craft items alongside the plants. Families with young children will appreciate a dedicated kids’ planting station where children can create a small potted garden gift for their mothers — a perfectly timed project with Mother’s Day falling the very next morning.

    Adopt-A-Pet has operated as an all-volunteer dog rescue shelter serving Mason County for 46 years. The organization relies entirely on community fundraising to feed, house, and provide veterinary care for dogs awaiting adoption. With no paid staff and no government subsidy, every plant purchased at the May 9 sale goes directly toward the animals. The Plant Sale has grown into one of its most important annual revenue events, drawing shoppers from across the county each May.

    Admission is free, and there is no charge to browse. Shoppers simply pay for plants, crafts, and food at the event. The OURCU parking lot is easily accessible on Olympic Highway North, the main corridor connecting Shelton with Belfair and the rest of north Mason County. For more information about Adopt-A-Pet, visit adoptapet-wa.org or call the shelter directly.

    Mother’s Day Dash Returns to Huff N Puff Trail

    One day after the plant sale, on Sunday, May 10, Mason County runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to honor the women in their lives — and the women who need their community’s support — by taking part in the Mother’s Day Dash at the Huff N Puff trailhead in Shelton.

    The race covers approximately four miles along the flat, community-maintained Huff N Puff Trail, making it accessible for both seasoned runners and those joining their first organized event. The course starts and ends at the trailhead, and the event is timed, with prizes awarded to top finishers organized by age group. All participants who registered by May 1 received a participation gift; check the registration page for current day-of availability.

    All proceeds from the Mother’s Day Dash benefit the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, a locally focused fund dedicated to assisting uninsured and under-insured women in Mason County with cancer-related medical expenses. The fund addresses a gap that touches families across the county — from Shelton and Allyn to Hoodsport and Belfair — helping women who face treatment costs without adequate coverage continue to access the care they need.

    For many participants, the race means more than a Sunday morning workout. It is a tribute: to a mother who fought, a neighbor who is still fighting, or a community that shows up when it matters most. To register or find more information, visit runsignup.com and search for the Mother’s Day Dash in Shelton, WA.

    Farmers Markets Open Season County-Wide

    Mason County’s farmers market season is now underway at both ends of the county. The Shelton Farmers Market opened its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2, and will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. The market is located at Evergreen Square on Railroad Avenue between Third and Fourth Street in downtown Shelton. Returning vendors are joined by new additions this year, with fresh produce, handmade goods, locally prepared food, and beverages available weekly.

    In north Mason County, the Belfair Farmers Market is also open for the season, running Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September. The Belfair market serves the Belfair, Allyn, and Tahuya corridor with fresh local produce and artisan offerings. Both markets are free to attend, and shoppers are encouraged to arrive early as popular vendors tend to sell out before closing time.

    Looking Ahead: Mason County Forest Festival Returns June 5–7

    For residents already thinking past Mother’s Day weekend, the Mason County Forest Festival returns June 5–7 in Shelton. One of the region’s largest annual community events, the festival features the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade, logging shows and demonstrations, carnival rides and games, a classic car show, a community pancake breakfast, live entertainment, and the Goldsborough Creek Run — a popular race with distances including a 7-mile run/walk, 2-mile run/walk, and junior events for younger participants. The festival celebrates Mason County’s deep connection to its timber heritage and draws visitors from across Western Washington each year. Details and event schedules will be posted at masoncountyforestfestival.com as the date approaches.

    This Mother’s Day weekend, Mason County is showing up for its community — with plants to give, miles to run, and markets to explore. It is the kind of calendar that reminds residents why county-wide connection matters from Hoodsport to Belfair and everywhere in between.

  • North Mason Families: How to Plan Around an Unconfirmed Belfair State Park Shellfish Opener

    North Mason Families: How to Plan Around an Unconfirmed Belfair State Park Shellfish Opener

    Belfair, WA — If you’re a North Mason parent or grandparent, summer planning runs on shellfish dates the way it runs on school calendars. As of May 3, 2026, here’s the part nobody is saying out loud: the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has not yet posted the Belfair State Park 2026 clam, mussel, and oyster opener on its official beach page. The most recent published season on wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches/270470 is still Aug 1 – Sept 30, 2025.

    That’s not a reason to skip planning. It’s a reason to plan smarter.

    What You Can Lock In Today

    Marine Area 12 Dungeness crab is confirmed. The recreational opener is 6 a.m. on June 16, 2026, running through September 5, with harvest allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week. Five male Dungeness daily, hard-shell, 6¼-inch minimum carapace. The south end of the Canal near Belfair, Union, and Tahuya tends to fish well early in the season — that first Father’s Day weekend is on the table this year.

    Belfair State Park camping is reservable now. Three loops, 90 standard sites, 41 full-hookup sites, plus the seasonal Tree Loop (May-Sept, vehicles 18 ft and under, no hookups). Book at washington.goingtocamp.com or (888) 226-7688. Memorial Day weekend is essentially gone already; July 4 weekend is going fast. If grandparents are visiting in August, treat the booking as urgent this week.

    Theler Wetlands is open right now. 600 NE Roessel Road, dawn to dusk, free, 139 acres, more than three miles of trails, ADA-accessible boardwalk, peak spring migration in May. For families with younger kids, this is the cheapest and lowest-friction Hood Canal day in your toolkit.

    What to Do About the Unposted Shellfish Date

    Two practical moves. First, bookmark the WDFW “Find a Beach” tool and the Belfair beach page directly. WDFW typically updates beach pages a few weeks before openers. The 2025 season opened August 1 — planning a soft window of late July through September keeps you flexible without committing to specific dates. Second, learn the dual-check habit before opening day arrives: WDFW season status PLUS Washington Department of Health beach approval. The DOH Shellfish Safety hotline is 1-800-562-5632, and the DOH interactive map shows real-time health status. Both have to be green for the trip to count.

    Family-Specific Reminders

    Kids 15 and under harvest free without a WDFW license — bring them. The Belfair flats are mostly soft mud at the tideline, so waterproof boots are non-negotiable for everyone. Standard Puget Sound daily limits when the beach is open: 18 oysters, 10 clams, 10 mussels per harvester. The Belfair beach is best known for oysters specifically. If you’re building a multigenerational summer plan, the realistic anchor right now is: confirmed crab June 16, confirmed camping (book now), Theler today, and shellfish “watch the WDFW page weekly starting in mid-June.”

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Has WDFW announced the Belfair State Park 2026 shellfish opener?

    Not as of May 3, 2026. The official Belfair beach page on wdfw.wa.gov shows the 2025 season (Aug 1 – Sept 30, 2025) as the most recent published season. Check the page weekly through May and June for the 2026 announcement.

    Can my kids harvest at Belfair State Park without a license?

    Yes — children 15 and under harvest shellfish free without a WDFW license, when the beach is open under both WDFW season and DOH health approval. They count toward the family limit only on their own catch, not the adult bag.

    Which Belfair State Park camping loop is best for families?

    The Beach Loop has full hookups and immediate beach access for kids. The Main Loop is open year-round and offers a mix of hookup and standard sites. The Tree Loop is the cheapest but limited to vehicles 18 feet and under with no hookups, and is May-September only.

    Where can we go on Hood Canal today, before shellfish season opens?

    Theler Wetlands at 600 NE Roessel Road in Belfair is open dawn to dusk, free, with three-plus miles of trails through 139 acres of salt marsh and the Union River estuary. May is peak migration. The Tahuya River Preserve and Belfair State Park’s day-use shoreline are also open for hiking and beach-walking outside harvest seasons.

    More from Belfair Bugle: Tahuya River Preserve Reaches 190 Acres · Original Hood Canal summer planner

  • A Mason County Family’s Guide to Theler Wetlands: What Kids Will See This Spring (and Why the Boardwalk Coming This Summer Matters)

    A Mason County Family’s Guide to Theler Wetlands: What Kids Will See This Spring (and Why the Boardwalk Coming This Summer Matters)


    Theler Wetlands is the closest thing Mason County has to a free outdoor classroom. The Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve in Belfair is open every day during daylight hours, costs nothing, and is engineered — quite literally — to teach. For a family with kids, especially kids interested in animals, water, or how the natural world actually works, a spring afternoon at Theler holds up against any paid attraction in the region.

    And the trip is going to get better. This summer, a 1,200-foot elevated boardwalk is going in through a freshly restored salt marsh — the final phase of a multi-year project that has been quietly remaking the south end of Hood Canal. Here is what a family should know about going now and going later.

    What Kids Will See at Theler Right Now

    Even mid-restoration, the preserve is full of activity in spring. The mudflats and tidal channels are nursery habitat for juvenile salmon. The grasses and shallow pools attract great blue herons, kingfishers, ospreys, bald eagles, and dozens of smaller songbirds passing through on migration. The Union River, which feeds the wetlands, is one of the few healthy spawning runs left for Hood Canal summer chum salmon — a federally threatened species.

    Kids who like to spot things will have plenty to count: bird species, salmon if you visit at the right time, otter and beaver sign in the channels, and seasonal flowers across the wet meadows.

    What the Construction Means for a Family Visit Now

    Honest version: parts of the trail loop are currently fragmented because of the restoration work. The earthwork phase finished in fall 2025 — that included removing a failing levee, replacing a small culvert with a much larger 15-foot-wide concrete one, and digging a new winding tidal channel. You can still walk most of the preserve, but you cannot complete the full loop yet.

    What that means in practice: short walks with younger kids work well right now. Bring binoculars. Plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes rather than building the day around a long hike. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) posts current trail access at pnwsalmoncenter.org.

    Why the Summer 2026 Boardwalk Changes the Trip

    The big change is the boardwalk. WDFW and HCSEG plan to install a 1,200-foot piling-supported elevated walkway through the restored estuary this summer, built on the footprint of the levee that was removed. When it is finished, the entire Theler loop reconnects — and it does so by walking visitors directly through restored salt marsh.

    For a family, that means three things. First, the loop becomes friendly for kids who get tired on out-and-back trails. Second, the boardwalk gives small children eye-level views of marsh life — channels, fish, herons hunting — without anyone having to walk through mud. Third, it turns Theler into a year-round destination that holds up in every season.

    How to Make It a Real Outdoor Lesson

    A few angles that work especially well with kids:

    • Salmon and the Endangered Species Act. Hood Canal summer chum are federally listed as threatened. The Theler restoration exists because juvenile chum need shallow, low-salinity, food-rich estuary water to grow before they head out into the canal. Kids respond to the idea that an entire engineering project — culvert replacements, levee removal, a road raised — is being done on behalf of fish.
    • How a wetland actually works. Tidal channels fill and empty twice a day. The salt marsh filters water, slows storm waves, and stores carbon. A wetland is a machine, and Theler is a working one.
    • Birding 101. A pocket bird guide and a pair of binoculars turns Theler into a guided experience. Spring is migration season — there are species at Theler in May that aren’t there in July.

    The Practical Details

    The preserve is at 22871 NE SR-3 in Belfair, on the east side of Highway 3 before the town center. Parking is free. Open during daylight hours. Restrooms are typically available at the nature center; bring your own water for the trail. There is no entry fee. Dogs are subject to posted rules, so check the trailhead sign before bringing one.

    The drive from Shelton is about 25 minutes. From Belfair town center, two minutes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Theler Wetlands open to families this spring?

    Yes. The preserve is open during daylight hours every day. Parts of the trail loop are fragmented because of restoration work, so plan a 30 to 60 minute visit rather than a long hike. Current trail status is posted at pnwsalmoncenter.org.

    How much does it cost to visit Theler Wetlands?

    Free. There is no entry fee, and parking is free. The preserve is supported by WDFW and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group.

    What will kids actually see at Theler in spring?

    Migrating songbirds, great blue herons, ospreys, bald eagles, kingfishers, otter and beaver sign in the tidal channels, juvenile salmon (depending on the run timing), and seasonal wildflowers across the wet meadow.

    When will the new Theler boardwalk be finished?

    Construction is planned for summer 2026. The 1,200-foot elevated boardwalk runs through the restored salt marsh on the footprint of the removed levee, and once completed it reconnects the full Theler trail loop.

    Is Theler Wetlands stroller- or wheelchair-accessible?

    Currently, accessibility varies by trail section because of construction. Once the elevated boardwalk is completed in summer 2026, the loop will be substantially more accessible — the boardwalk is piling-supported, flat, and built for visitor traffic.

    Where is Theler Wetlands located?

    22871 NE SR-3 in Belfair, on Highway 3 just before the town center. About 25 minutes from Shelton, two minutes from Belfair town center.

    Related family coverage on tygartmedia.com: Things to Do in Mason County: The Definitive Guide, Tahuya River Preserve Reaches 190 Acres: What North Mason Needs to Know.

  • Wolfpack Host Beaumont Renegades Saturday May 23 at AOTW: Your Indoor Football Saturday Setup

    Wolfpack Host Beaumont Renegades Saturday May 23 at AOTW: Your Indoor Football Saturday Setup

    Q: When do the Washington Wolfpack play Beaumont at Angel of the Winds Arena?
    The Washington Wolfpack host the Beaumont Renegades on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. It’s Game 3 of the Wolfpack’s 2026 AF1 home schedule and the only Wolfpack home game in the back half of May. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

    The Wolfpack’s Memorial Day Weekend Setup: Beaumont Comes to Everett May 23

    If you’ve been to a Wolfpack home game at Angel of the Winds Arena yet — even one — you already know the pitch. Arena football, indoor, fast, loud, fifty-yard field, walls in play, the kind of game where every snap is either a touchdown or an “ohhh no” from the section behind you. It’s professional football in the building most Everett residents have only ever been to for hockey or a concert. And it’s a thing the Wolfpack are very seriously trying to make a Saturday tradition for Snohomish County.

    The next opportunity to be in the building: Saturday, May 23 at 3:00 PM PT, when the Wolfpack host the Beaumont Renegades in Game 3 of the 2026 AF1 home schedule.

    What We Know About the Matchup

    This is a 2026 regular-season AF1 (Arena Football 1) game. Beaumont, Texas — the Renegades are the visitors, and they’re going to find out very quickly what a sold-out home crowd in Everett sounds like indoors. The Wolfpack have leaned hard into the “Pack mentality” branding all spring, and the home Saturdays are the centerpiece of the marketing.

    The 3:00 PM PT kickoff is a true Saturday-afternoon time slot. That’s not by accident. AF1 has been pushing weekend afternoon broadcasts to grow the league’s TV audience, and the Wolfpack home schedule has slotted into that pattern most weeks. (For Saturday, May 2’s home game vs. defending Arena Crown champion Albany Firebirds, also a 3:00 PM kickoff, the league announced the broadcast would land on VICE TV with a Pacific Northwest carry on Fox 13+.)

    Why You Should Care, Even If You’re Not An Arena Football Person

    Three honest reasons:

    1. The football is genuinely fun to watch in person. The 50-yard field plus rebound nets means the offense almost never punts and the scores almost always end up looking like 47-44. If you’ve ever found NFL games slow-paced, this is the antidote. There’s a reason the AOTW concourse stays full at halftime — nobody wants to miss the second-half kickoff bouncing off the back wall.

    2. The Wolfpack are still building their identity in front of you. Year two of the franchise. The roster turns over more than a typical pro team, the staff is figuring out what Everett wants, and you can feel the team trying to earn the room every week. That’s a fun stage of any pro franchise to be around — before everyone takes it for granted.

    3. Saturday at 3 is a perfect city day. Drive in, park downtown, hit a coffee shop on Hewitt before the game, walk to AOTW, watch indoor football for two and a half hours, and you’re back out into Everett’s downtown dinner scene by 6. There aren’t many sports tickets in the entire Puget Sound that pencil out as a complete day this cleanly.

    How the Wolfpack’s Year Is Shaping Up

    This is the Wolfpack’s second AF1 season. Year one ended with a Western Conference Final loss to Nashville. The 2026 home schedule on the AOTW calendar currently includes:

    • Saturday, May 2 — vs Albany Firebirds, 3:00 PM (Teacher’s Night, defending Arena Crown champion in town, drawstring bag giveaway)
    • Saturday, May 23 — vs Beaumont Renegades, 3:00 PM (Game 3 — the one this article is about)
    • Saturday, June 20 — additional home date on the schedule
    • Saturday, June 27 — additional home date on the schedule

    (Game-by-game promo details, opponents, and broadcast partners for the June dates will firm up as those games approach. The Wolfpack typically announce theme nights and giveaways about two weeks out.)

    Tickets and Logistics

    Tickets: On sale now via Ticketmaster. The AOTW ticket page links directly to the May 23 listing. Single-game tickets typically open in the $20-60 range for Wolfpack home games, with premium and group options available.

    Venue: Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Suite 200, Everett, WA 98201.

    Parking: AOTW’s own structured lot plus city street parking around downtown. The arena’s directions and parking page is the cleanest source: Plan Your Visit.

    Concessions: Full arena menu open. The Arena Grill is the on-site sit-down option if you’d rather eat a real plate before kickoff.

    The Bigger Everett Sports Story

    The Wolfpack’s May 23 game also lands inside one of the most stacked sports stretches Angel of the Winds Arena has ever had. Just look at the AOTW calendar from now to early June:

    • May 8 & 9: Everett Silvertips WHL Championship Final, Games 1 & 2 (the franchise’s first WHL Final since 2018-19)
    • May 16: Life Surge (faith and finance event)
    • May 23: Wolfpack vs Beaumont
    • May 30-31: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire (three shows, indoor pyro spectacle)

    That’s playoff hockey, pro football, and family-event programming inside a four-week window — which is the kind of run that quietly explains why the new downtown stadium project (an outdoor 5,000-seat ballpark with a covered roof, going to council April 29 for design funding) matters so much. Everett’s appetite for live events at Angel of the Winds Arena has clearly outgrown the old assumption that the building only fills for hockey nights and concerts. The Wolfpack are part of why.

    Bottom Line

    Mark Saturday, May 23 at 3:00 PM. If you went to the Wolfpack’s home opener May 2 and had a good time, this is your follow-up. If you missed the home opener, this is your make-up date. Beaumont is in town, the building will be loud, and you’ll be home in time for dinner.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When and where is the Wolfpack vs Beaumont Renegades game?

    Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA.

    Is the Wolfpack vs Beaumont game on TV?

    AF1 broadcast assignments for individual home games are confirmed closer to game day. The Wolfpack’s May 2 home opener vs Albany was carried on VICE TV with regional pickup on Fox 13+ — May 23’s broadcast info will be posted by AF1 in the days before.

    How much do Wolfpack home tickets cost?

    Single-game ticket pricing typically ranges from about $20 in the upper deck to $60+ for lower bowl, with premium and group options available. Buy at Ticketmaster.

    What is AF1?

    AF1 (Arena Football 1) is the professional indoor arena football league launched in 2024 as a successor to the original Arena Football League. The Wolfpack are the league’s Pacific Northwest team and play their home games at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    Are there other Wolfpack home games this season?

    Yes. The currently announced AOTW home schedule includes Saturday, May 2 (vs Albany Firebirds), Saturday, May 23 (vs Beaumont Renegades), Saturday, June 20, and Saturday, June 27. Check the AOTW events page for the most current schedule.

    What’s the difference between this game and a Silvertips game?

    Same building, totally different sport and field configuration. Silvertips games convert AOTW into a WHL hockey rink. Wolfpack games convert it into a 50-yard indoor football field with rebound nets. Both are professional teams, both are part of why AOTW’s 2026 calendar is the busiest it’s ever been.