Evening on the Lake: An Unforgettable Night of Inspiration, Community, and Support

This year’s Evening on the Lake was nothing short of extraordinary. Against the elegant backdrop of the Four Seasons Hotel along Seattle’s waterfront, more than 250 guests joined us to celebrate the power of experiential outdoor education in Olympic National Park and to champion NatureBridge’s mission of connecting young people to the natural world.

Guests were welcomed with a lively reception that blended interactive science stations hosted by NatureBridge educators with conversation, cocktails, and canapés. Peering through microscopes, exploring ecological specimens, and engaging with the same scientific practices our educators teach on trail, guests were able to step into our students’ shoes for a few moments. These moments sparked connection, laughter, and discussion as supporters discovered the delight of hands-on learning.

The evening’s program featured powerful stories that came from across our community. Gretel von Bargen, a longtime NatureBridge group coordinator and local high school science teacher, delivered an inspiring keynote speech on the profound impacts of immersive outdoor education that she has observed first-hand among her students over the years. Our audience was deeply moved by the reflections of ninth grader Jackson Blocker, our 2025 Olympic Student of the Year, who shared how his NatureBridge experience deepened his relationship with the outdoors and sparked a sense of responsibility for stewarding our natural world. Adding a poignant touch to the night, student musicians (and siblings) Emmeline and Lucas Wong recreated the NatureBridge campfire experience by performing a rendition of “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars with remarkable poise, reminding us of the deep well of creativity, talent, and promise that exists among our students.

As dinner concluded, generosity filled the room. Guests raised their paddles in enthusiastic support of NatureBridge students, staff, and programs, raising over $500,000 and ensuring more young people will be able to experience transformative, hands-on learning at our Olympic campus. Our deep gratitude goes to our guests, sponsors, educators, board members, speakers, volunteers, staff, event committee, and partners who made this unforgettable evening possible. Your belief in our mission keeps our work thriving, access to our programs equitable, and our students inspired. Thank you!