Testimonials

We hope you’ll spend the time to read each and every one of these heartfelt testimonials from parents whose children were able to participate in our youth programs in the last year because of the financial assistance they received. Their words certainly touched our hearts and validate the importance of the work we do.

Like many Port Townsend families, we want our child to grow and thrive socially and appreciate the unique and diverse environment we all enjoy so much. 

Since being welcomed into the wonderful group of peers and incredible mentors at CedarRoot School,  our son has become tremendously confident socially and is now our guide on the wilderness walks we take as a family.  

He identifies plants and their uses, shows us animal tracks, and teaches us the outdoor skills he's learned and continues to develop with the guidance of his instructors. His enthusiasm makes us believe he will eventually become a mentor to others and always be an environmental steward. 

Similar to some other Port Townsend families, we couldn't take advantage of all CedarRoot has to offer without some amount of financial assistance. We are so tremendously grateful scholarships are offered and hope they will continue to be in the future.

— A. Vidal

My 10 year old son was registered for CedarRoot's foraging camp last summer. Hands down, it was his favorite summer camp experience ever. He loved trying new things - harvesting sand shrimp off the beach and cooking them right there. He enthusiastically took the whole family back to where the camp was held to show us later in the year. He is busy building forts in the woods by our house every chance he gets with his friends now, thanks to CedarRoot giving him a great foundation of confidence in the woods. Also, instructor Ramzy was amazing and really brought a wonderful energy. He really connected with our son. The only way my son could attend was through the generosity of the scholarship program.

— C.M.T., through JCIRA

This program consistently provides an extraordinary depth of nature immersion, playful collaboration, independent skill building and social enrichment. It is our daughter’s favorite day of the week - and has been for years!

— N. L.

Mi testimonio es que el programa es magnífico, mi hijo lo disfruto mucho, siempre que regresaba a casa nos contaba todo lo que aprendió, muchas gracias a todas las personas que hacen esto posible y que ayudaron para que mi hijo estuviera en este programa.

(My testimony is that the program is magnificent, my son enjoys it very much and always returns home telling us about all that he’s learned. Many thanks to all the people that make this possible and helped my son be in this program.)

— J.S., through JCIRA

In the age of competing screen time, having access to enjoyable “green” time is so vital.

CedarRoot is a phenomenal program offering young people the ability to connect with nature and each other through games in the woods and stories around the fire. 

Being involved with this program has been enormously beneficial for my child’s personal development and I’m most grateful for the opportunity.

— H.B.

CedarRoot’s scholarship program allowed us the opportunity to enjoy in their incredible programs despite the challenging year we just navigated. Allowing the opportunity for my daughter to connect with nature, make new friends, learn and grow through adventures that might not have been available otherwise. We are so grateful they have created spaces and programs that are accessible to us at a time when we need it most.

— L.A.

We are currently a single income household, so tuition for the youth program we had our hearts set on for our child was just out of reach. Receiving this scholarship has truly been a gift to our entire family. We are so very grateful for the financial relief which has afforded us the opportunity to provide our child with an enriching and nourishing experience every week. They emerge from the forest after each session absolutely full of joy, recounting exciting tales from their wilderness adventures, and beaming with the BIGGEST smile. Ramzy’s creativity, kindness, and positive energy is just contagious, and he’s clearly so cherished in his leadership role by this pack of kiddos. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, CedarRoot! You are an enormous blessing to our child and family, and we are ever grateful for this generous opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful program.

— S.H.