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Summer Programming

Just because school is out, doesn’t mean we take a break from teaching about weather and climate ! Connect with us this summer to bring our educators to your summer camp, campground, library or function. Better yet, join us for a field trip to the summit of Mount Washington, and learn first-hand from our summit weather station team.

Traveling Programs

Our Mount Washington Observatory education team is ready to provide fun summer learning. Our play-based, interactive programs are designed to keep students actively learning about weather, climate, climate change, mountain ecology, and weather safety. Offered as a 45-60 minute on-site enrichment program. 

Students will explore what it means to be a weather observer and learn the skills to be one themselves. Through play-based, interactive programs they’ll learn to record weather data, build a weather instrument, and even talk with a MWOBS scientist! This series culminates with students receiving a unique MWOBS Junior Weather Observer certificate and badge. Program length and frequency can be adapted.

Extreme weather impacts all corners of the globe, including right here in New England. Learn from the extreme weather experts at Mount Washington Observatory as we explore different types of extreme weather events and how you can stay ready to respond to our ever-changing weather.

Clouds can take all shapes and sizes, but did you know that by identifying different types we can predict impending weather? In this program, students engage their creative sides as they build cloud charts, observe clouds and submit cloud data to the NASA GLOBE Cloud Observer program.

The staff at Mount Washington Observatory know a thing or two about how to measure high wind speeds, but do you know what types of instruments are needed to capture these critical data? Become an instrument engineer for an hour as we help students design, build, then test your very own anemometer. All materials provided!

Summit Field Trips

Bring your camp, school, or scouting group up to the summit of Mount Washington, the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather”! The Mount Washington Observatory has partnered with the Mount Washington Cog Railway and Mt. Washington Auto Road to provide an unrivaled, innovative field trip experience for students of all ages. Our field trips are customizable with optional pre- and post-trip activities provided by our education team. Field trip programs are offered to the summit from mid-May through mid-October with winter programs also available. Request a field trip visit today!

Sample Schedule

Cog Railway Example

  • 9:15 am: arrive at Cog Base 
  • 9:15 – 10:00am: [Base Activity] 
  • 10:00 – 10:45 am: train to summit [Train Activity] 
  • 10:45 am: arrive at summit 
  • 10:45am – 11:45pm: [Summit Activities (weather station tour, observation deck activities, museum, lunch, outside time)]
  • 11:45 am: depart summit 
  • 11:45am-12:30pm train to base [Train Activity] 
  • 12:30 pm: arrive at base 
  • 12:45 pm: depart for school 
  • 2:00 pm: arrive at school 

Field Trip Themes

How and why does weather change as you move up Mount Washington? Why is Mount Washington known as the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather”? 

Investigate what determines a microclimate then explore Mount Washington’s three distinct climate zones, including the alpine tundra. Discover why Mount Washington’s alpine tundra is unique compared to other alpine tundra. 

How is the climate of Mount Washington changing in a warming global climate?

Design, build and bring your prototypes to test on Mount Washington: build a wind anemometer, wind turbine, insulated instrument enclosure or other prototype. Combine with a MWOBS educator visiting program where we can help students design and build their very on anemometers. 

Program Fees

A single, one-hour day program is $150 plus round-trip mileage from North Conway, NH, to your location billed at the IRS rate for up to 30 students. A minimum of two programs are required for locations more than 1.5 hours from our offices.

Field Trips are $300 for up to 24 students for a half-day program with dedicated MWOBS educator-guides. Additional students are $5 per student. Does not include Cog Railway or Auto Road fees.

Interested in our summer programming? Contact us for more details by email at education@mountwashington.org or call (603) 356-2137 ext. 204.