Summer 2025 Newsletter
WES Community Sponsors Out There: A National Park Movie at the Cascade Theater – July 12th, 7-9 PM
Part road trip, part heartwarming reunion, Out There is a documentary that follows two childhood friends as they reconnect on a 10,000-mile journey through America’s National Parks. Along the way, they meet rangers, volunteers, and everyday visitors, each sharing what these parks mean to them. A sneak-peek movie trailer is found at: outthere.film/trailer
This movie is a feel-good tribute to wild places and the people who cherish them—with “knock-your-hiking-socks-off” cinematography combined with archival travelogues, posters, and maps of some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Shake off the summer slump and treat yourself (and your family) to a night of inspiration and adventure at the historic Cascade Theater located at 1731 Market Street in downtown Redding. Tickets are $15 for adults and just $10 for those under 21. Ticket prices include the ticket processing fee. Bonus—stick around after the film for a raffle drawing with fun prizes! For more info and tickets, visit: cascadetheatre.org/performances/out-there-a-national-park-story.
Melinda and Jessica Bowron, Acting Director of the National Park Service, met at a National Park Foundation event following a successful day on Capitol Hill.
Meeting with Senator Schiff and other representatives of the Northern California National Parks Friends Groups and Board Members of the National Park Foundation.
Whiskeytown Environmental School Community Returns to Washington, D.C.
For the second year in a row, WES Community was invited to participate in Hill Day, an education blitz hosted by the National Park Foundation to spotlight National Parks and their communities. Board President Melinda Kashuba represented WES Community in meetings with Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s Legislative Assistant, Sam Dorsey—a particularly special moment, as Sam grew up in Shasta County and attended WES himself! He understands firsthand the value of outdoor education and the importance of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Melinda also met with Michael Harris, Policy Advisor to Senator Adam Schiff. Senator Schiff charmed attendees with stories from his visit to Whiskeytown. He even showed everyone a photo of a WES cabin—used as his phone’s screensaver.
Melinda met Congressman Jared Huffman legislative team as well. As Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Congressman Huffman supports outdoor education—students from Weaverville and Humboldt County in his district have long attended WES.
Finally, during an evening gathering, Melinda had the chance to thank Jessica Bowron, Acting Director and Comptroller of the National Park Service, for her tough but fair questions during last summer’s review of the WES rebuild project, which was approved, bringing us ever closer to breaking ground.
Fall Field Trips Continue at WES
Teachers can register by clicking an open date on the calendar for Field Labs at the WES page on the Shasta County Office of Education's website. This year staffing has increased to serve up to 80 students per day for a three hour field trip. Teachers, Sign Up Here →
Update on Student Housing: One Step Closer!
On April 14, 2025, WES Community transferred $243,141 to the National Park Service to complete schematic designs for student housing and begin a condition assessment of Hatcher Hall. Hatcher houses the camp’s kitchen and cafeteria and has been used by summer campers and field trip participants alike. Seven years have passed since it was fully operational. Now, it’s time to assess the building’s plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems—and to plan future upgrades, including a wet lab and indoor teaching spaces for rainy days.
This funding reflects the deep generosity of our supporters.
Guided by our Philanthropic Partnership Agreement with the National Park Service, signed in 2021, we are proud to be turning donations into real progress at Whiskeytown Environmental School.
The accompanying graphic shows our progress in fundraising since December 2024…WES Community has collected an additional $256,291 in donations and grants! Our total since we began our capital campaign is $5,796,222 in donations, grants, and pledges.
Amphitheater Update
WES Community is working closely with SHN, Inc., the National Park Service, and the Shasta County Office of Education to finalize plans for the new amphitheater and its much-anticipated shade structure. Thanks to SHN’s sharp project engineering and the shade structure expertise of Metals Direct, the project is moving swiftly.
In May, WES Community received a $75,000 grant from the Shasta County Resources Advisory Committee to support this project—funds distributed under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Back to Camp! Oct. 25 at the Shasta District Fairgrounds
Get ready to relive the magic of WES—no sleeping bag required! WES Community and Leadership Redding invite you to Back to Camp, an unforgettable night of indoor-outdoor FUNdraising in true WES tradition.
Calling all WES alumni and friends: it’s time for Dance Night with the legendary Marilyn Sexton (line dancing shoes optional but encouraged), laugh-out-loud Skit Night antics, and a thrilling Night Hike packed with nature facts and a few jump scares.
Camp cuisine gets an upgrade with gourmet grilling from the Asphalt Cowboys and crowd-favorite caterers. Live music by Lance Michael Cornwell and Serena Karise will keep the energy high all evening.
Whether you’re reconnecting with camp friends or making memories for the first time, this is your night. Didn’t get to go to WES? Now’s your chance to write your own camp story.
We’re also collecting “My WES Story” entries from campers across the decades. Keep an eye on social media—we want your tales by October 25!
Tickets are $80 (includes processing fee) and go on sale soon at wescommunity.ticketspice.com/back-to-camp.
Create a Giving Network with Your Facebook Page
Create a network of awareness and giving for WES Community with your Facebook page. Your birthday, anniversary, or another special day for celebration is the perfect opportunity to support projects you value. It is an easy way for family and friends from afar to honor you with a gift of love to WES Community. We appreciate the many donations we have received from this source.
