Students exploring Washington's historic and cultural resources
Youth Heritage Project 2023
Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Hanford Site: July 18-21
All high-school age students are invited to get hands-on with history this summer at the Hanford Site near the Tri-Cities in central Washington!
Are you ready for an adventure that combines history, science, and the great outdoors? Look no further than the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s Youth Heritage Project! This summer, join us at the Hanford Site, a decommissioned nuclear production complex with a rich history connected to the Manhattan Project, now a national historical park.
Students will have the chance to learn about the contributions and perspectives of the Tribal Nations who have called this area home since time immemorial and the workers who helped build the world’s first plutonium production facilities. They will explore the complex legacies of the project that ushered in the nuclear age to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and ethical issues surrounding nuclear science and technology.
Learn about efforts to co-steward the stories of the Hanford Site this summer with experiential activities and new friends while giving back to the community through a project proposal at the conclusion of the jam-packed week. Come discover Hanford with us!
This program is FREE OF COST for those accepted. We are also seeking adult educators and professionals to serve as teacher-mentors for the program.
The application period was CLOSED on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Students and parents will be notified by notified of admission/waitlist status by June 7, 2023.
FAQ for parents/guardians:
- Where and when do I drop off and pick up my student? On Tuesday, July 18: drop-off at our headquarter in First Hill, Seattle before 9am for the group shuttle – or – at the registration/lodging site in Richland by 1pm. On Friday, July 21: pick up at the registration/lodging site in Richland by 4pm – or – at our headquarter in First Hill, Seattle by 8pm. Other travel accommodations may be requested; we want to make the program as accessible as possible!
- Where will students be staying? Pairs of students will be sharing rooms at a renovated historic hotel in downtown Richland, with daily walking and driving distance activities. Teacher-mentors and program staff will maintain supervision throughout the program.
- Will meals be provided? Yes, all three daily meals including snacks will be provided, often catered by local vendors. Vegetarian options are provided with every meal. We can also accommodate other dietary restrictions as submitted with the application.
- Does the program offer accommodations for students with disabilities? Yes. While the program features tours and light physical activities; students can opt out or request assistance from their assigned teacher-mentor or program staff anytime. We work to encourage the best engagement with the program content to each student’s abilities.
- Who are the teacher-mentors and program staff? Each year, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation staff teams up with new and returning teacher-mentors. They consist of certified high school teachers, who are excited to turn their classrooms inside-out – or professionals in historic preservation, cultural resource management, and public history like our colleagues at DAHP and NPS, who look forward to ushering in the next generation of place advocates and stewards! Background checks vet teacher-mentors upon acceptance.
- Is there any other way a parent/guardian can engage? Yes! At the end of the program, on Friday, July 21, families are invited to attend the Town Hall where the students will present their group projects that provides historic and cultural preservation solutions to a real-world situation surrounding Hanford and the Tri-Cities. The public portion begins around 1pm in Richland, and parents/guardians can check-out with their student immediately after around 4pm. More details are provided upon acceptance into the program.
What is Youth Heritage Project?
Youth Heritage Project (YHP) is a FREE overnight summer program for high-school students, focused on the history, culture, and nature of Washington’s special places.
Each year, YHP students visit a new location for fun and engaging place-based activities, learning about how different histories and resources shape the community. Through scavenger hunts, hikes, site visits, boat trips, museums, tours, and more, participants explore how remembering, preserving, and sharing stories from the past can help shape the future. Then, YHP students are paired with local organizations to address real-world issues in the community for the flagship student project presentation day at the conclusion of the camp.
YHP helps high school students learn how to shape their communities through participation and activism, inspiring the next generation of leaders to get involved with the places that matter to them.
The location and study topics for YHP change annually, and any high school-age students may apply. Questions about YHP? Please contact us by email or call us at 206-624-9449.