Geography of the Pacific Northwest

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
Location: Washington
Course: GEO 3309 - United States and Canada, GEO 4310 - Regional Field Studies, and GEO 4190 - Independent Study
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Benjamin Prince, bjp50@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer II, TBD
Travel: July 8 - 22, 2025
Program Fee: $1,400
Course Tuition: $1,068.24 for 3-hours, $2,136.48 for 6-hours
*Financial Aid eligible

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Program Itinerary

The Pacific Northwest lies half a continent away where the western mountains and Pacific Ocean collide. The density of diverse physical, cultural and environmental geographies, make this an amazing landscape for a field course. Flying in and out of Seattle, we will travel through northcentral and northwestern Washington, camping in national forests, state and national parks. Taking advantage of the long temperate summer days and vast public lands, we will explore, the Puget Sound lowlands and Salish Sea, Cascadian mountains and forests, high desert and agricultural interior, and the valley of the Columbia River. We will use the setting to gain an understanding of the region’s long human history, dynamic growth, economic evolution, conservation battles, and changes brought on by shifting climatic patterns. The Pacific Northwest offers a bit of everything in an cost effective, accessible, logistically simple, and physically stunning setting.

Date	Location	Activities
7/8/2025	ATX to SeaTac Airport	Travel to Seattle, Washigton.
7/9/2025	Levenworth Area	Transity to Levenworth/ Wenatchee Group camping, Introduction to the Pacific Northwest.
7/10/2025	Levenworth Area	Meet with National Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee District HQ in Levenworth, Hike along Icicle Creek, Conservation, forestery, and Tourism of the Northwest.
7/11/2025	Columbia River Gorge to Coulee Dam	Columbia River Gorge and Coulee Dam Exploration. Geography of The Columbia River
7/12/2025	North Cascades N.P.	Ferry transit from Chelan to Stehekin, Central Washington Hydrology, Infrastructure and Agriculture.
7/13/2025	North Cascades N.P.	Exploration of Stehekin and Lake Chelan, Geography of Dry side North Cascades NP.
7/14/2025	North Cascades N.P.	Cascade Forest and Valley exploration, Physical and Cultural Geogrphy of Dry side North Cascades NP.
7/15/2025	North Cascades N.P.	Transition through central North Cascades N.P. Upper Stehekin Rive, Ross Lake, and Diablo Lake explorations. Geography of the North Cascades NP.
7/16/2025	Baker Lake	Exploration of Baker Lake, Geography of the Northwest/wet side of the North Casacdes.
7/17/2025	Baker Lake	Hike to Park Butte Lookout Camp, Sub-Alpine Geography.
7/18/2025	Park Butte Lookout	Hike Railroad Grade Trail, Alpine geography.
7/19/2025	Baker Lake to Deception Pass State Park	Transit and Explore Skadgit River to the sea. Deception Pass State Park camping, Intro to the Salish Sea Geography.
7/20/2025	Deception Pass S.P.	Costal Exploration, Geography of the Salish Sea.
7/21/2025	Deception Pass S.P.	Marine Exploration, Geography of the Salish Sea. Field Program Wrap-up.
7/22/2025	Deception Pass to SeaTac Airport	Travel home.

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 1

Complete SIA student application. Deadline is January 24, 2025.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Director & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 21, 2025.

STEP 4

Program FAQ

Expand FAQ List

General Information
- Who is eligible to participate in the program?
  
  All undergraduate students in good standing at Texas State are eligible to participate in the course and SIA program. Preference will be given to Geography majors and minors. Program capacity is 12 students.
- Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
  
  No, instruction before and after travel will be completed online.
- Which courses do I register for?
  
  Students should pick one or two of the courses associated with the SIA program, but not all three.
Costs
- What is included in the program fee?
  The $1,400 program fee includes:
  - Camping fees for the duration of the trip.
  - Some group meals. 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 13 dinners and 10 snacks. Students will cook breakfast and dinner as part of rotating assigned responsibilities, as well as prepping to-go lunches and snacks.
  - On-site transportation.
  - Program supplies.
  - All program activities.
- What is NOT included in the program fee?
  - Airfare to/from Seattle, WA.
  - Some meals. Students should also plan to purchase, additional snacks, favorite or preferred supplemental foods, lunches on transit days and on the first and last days or the program.
  - Any activities outside of SIA programming.
  - Course tuition.
  *Per OXP policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel.
- What is the program deposit?
  
  Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
- Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
  
  Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
Program Preparation
- Is lodging included?
  
  Yes, it will be outdoor-style accommodations.
- Will I need to provide my transportation?
  
  Yes, students will need to purchase airfare to/from Seattle, WA. On-site transportation will be provided.
- Is there a dress code for specific visits?
  
  No, however, certain clothing will be recommended.
- What supplies do I need?
  
  Students should have, or be prepared to buy basic personal field course/camping supplies, such as sleeping bag, sleeping pad, small tent, headlamp, appropriate clothing for outside activities, and personal cookware. We will discuss this at the orientations, and I have access to a large pool of gear that can be borrowed if students do not own these items.
- Will there be down time on the trip?
  
  We will have down hours, but not down days due to the compact time frame and need to cover distance between regions.
Drop & Refund Policy
- Course Tuition Refund
  
  Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
- SIA Program Fee Refund
  Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs.
  The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program:
  - 100% of the program fee is refundable 45 days prior to the course start date.
  - 70% of the program fee is refundable 44 days prior to the course start date.
  - 50% of the program fee is refundable after the first start date of the course.
  Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact extension@txstate.edu for assistance.
  Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.