The word "Nasikelt" comes from the old Native American word meaning "steep canyon or gorge", describing the beautiful Icicle Valley in which we reside. As settlers began moving into the valley the "Nasikelt" word evolved into "Icicle".

The following listing describes available services, activities and resources offered through the Nasikelt Program.

Discovery Boxes
These discovery boxes, or traveling educational trunks are available for a two week checkout period for teachers and other educators. A short workshop (usually included as part of other training) is offered to facilitate use of the box. The purpose of these boxes is to make it easy for educators to cover this subject area. Each box includes a number of items related to the subject matter of the box. The boxes include items such as activity lessons, videos, pictures, illustrations, posters, skulls, pelts, models, magnifying lenses, reference books and other resources appropriate to the subject matter of the box.

Curriculum Workshops
Throughout the year a series of workshops are offered related to a specific curriculum. These workshops are appropriate for not only teachers but are valuable for anyone wishing to share natural resource information with others such as agency specialists, home schoolers, scout leaders, recreation directors, and other educators.

Salmon Festival Curriculum and Workshop
Salmon Festival Workshops are offered in late August and early September. The workshop provides an orientation to the Salmon Festival curriculum. It highlights the various festival activities and provides insight into how teachers might effectively manage class time at the festival.

Kids in the Creek
Students from area high schools get their feet wet and a hands-on experience to learn about macroinvertebrates, water quality, riparian habitat and watersheds. Schools must apply for Kids in the Creek ecosystem experience.

Learning Models
The Ground Water Model demonstrates the movement of ground water and what happens when contaminants are introduced into environment. The Enviroscape Model is a mini-community that clearly shows point and non-point source pollution along with the solutions. Students become water managers searching for solutions using the Watershed Management Simulator software.

National Fishing and Boating Week
This one day event teaches children and their families about the fun of angling. Educational activities during these June events at all three of our hatcheries, shares information about boating and fishing ethics, fish identification and aquatic conservation. Many hands-on exhibits and demonstrations can be enjoyed by all, such as Gyotaku fish printing, Migration Golf, hands-on casting, storytelling and many more. Kids really enjoy fishing for trout in the hatchery pond trying to catch the big one! Kids Fishing Days are scheduled annually at the Entiat and Winthrop National Fish Hatcheries.

A Sampling of More Education Programs:
Watershed Watchers (watershed program for middle school students)
Winter Life Snowshoe Tours (winter ecology field tours)