• Printable PDF of SVC Road Scholar Programs in the San Juan Islands: Click Here
• Printable PDF of SVC Road Scholar Programs in Victoria BC and Northwest Washington State: Click Here
• Printable PDF of SVC Road Scholar Programs Calendar 2012: Click Here

Join an intimate exploration of North America's premier raptor and wintering bird hotspots along the Pacific Flyway. Salmon runs on the Skagit River bring Bald Eagles by the hundreds and "five-falcon" days are possible this time of year including rare Gyr falcons. Expert guide leads daily field excursions.  Experience a breathtaking, daylong birding excursion to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta and the Reifel Island Bird Sanctuary on British Columbia's Fraser River (passport required for this fieldtrip).

With more than 225 species of birds noted on the Quimper Peninsula - located on the Pacific Flyway at the convergence of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound - it's no wonder that this location provides a strategic launching point for birding discoveries, especially seabirds. Take daily ornithologist-led field trips to an array of out-of-the-way seaside habitats, protected areas, where migrant and resident marine, shore and upland songbirds are abundant. Enjoy a special chartered boat viewing of Protection Island and other featured sighting opportunities aboard ferry to spectacular Whidbey Island. Round out your stay with a visit to the Northwest Wooden Boat Maritime Center, and an exploration of this quaint Victorian Seaport.

Expert naturalist guides this exhilarating adventure when Rufous Hummingbirds signal the start of spring. Discuss migrations and take field trips to prime habitats including San Juan Islands National Historical Park, where wintering Harlequin Ducks, Pacific Loons, and Red-necked Grebes are ready to leave for breeding grounds, and migrating Mountain Bluebirds and Townsend Solitaires stop by. The state's largest nesting population of Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons are here, as well as Black Oystercatchers, Rhinoceros Auklets, Townsend's Warblers, and Hutton's Vireos. Daily bird counts could top 60 and total program counts over 100. As a bonus, explore the world-famous whale museum.

The San Juan Islands are home to a variety of creatures of land and sea, from bald eagles to orcas (killer whales), and sea urchins. Focus on marine biology and natural history as you kayak its sheltered waters and glide past the rocky coastlines. Kayak field trips start from various island locations known as the best places to view wildlife, seabirds, marine mammals, and the resident pods of Orca whales. Roam old island haunts to experience firsthand the history of the gritty settlers who chose to live here. Enjoy one easy hike with a naturalist in San Juan Island National Historic Park. Discover the lure of the islands as you experience the intricate marine ecosystem and build your skills out of doors.

Revel in seascapes of untold beauty on hikes along the coastal shorelines and ridges of San Juan and Orcas islands. With the Olympic Mountains looming in the distance, hike atop the coastal prairie bluffs of San Juan Island National Historic Park. Consider environmental issues of the Salish Sea ecosystem and gain a sense of place typically reserved for locals as you ramble through an outdoor sculpture park and past the picturesque Limekiln Lighthouse. Journey by ferry to Orcas Island and examine the conservation story of the Turtleback Mountain Preserve. Narrated hikes through high meadows and rocky ledges reveal panoramic vistas of the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands, a unique place that is as ecologically vital as it is beautiful.

In an experience most ordinary travelers will never share, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the San Juan Archipelago while you uncover the cultures and landscapes unique to San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands. Meet historians, artists, farmers, preservationists and other Islanders who make up the fabric of these communities. Explore scenic shorelines, mountain vistas, rare coastal prairie and the region's iconic evergreen forests. Based in the century-old fishing port of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, travel by scenic ferry to horseshoe-shaped Orcas Island for a private viewing of a prolific collection of art created in the Islands, and explore community-oriented working farmscapes that give Lopez Island its friendly identity.

Travel the back roads and waterways of the San Juan Islands for an in-depth look at how modern islanders continue creative farming and fishing traditions of the region's first settlers. Savor the bounty of local seafood, island produce and other unique artisan foods. Organic farmers, cheese-makers, herb growers and foragers all contribute to the vibrant local culture and economy. Learn about the long fishing history in the islands and hear from experts how modern fisheries are faring.  Sample Washington State wines and hear about the island twist on the modern wine industry.

Enjoy a truly unique Northwest experience. Savor the late-summer breezes on a narrated cruise aboard a Washington State Ferry, chugging through deep-green waters as you glide from Friday Harbor to Orcas, Shaw and Lopez islands in the Salish Sea. On a day-long field study see breathtaking beauty mingled with "modern" island industry. Stops at a beautiful lavender farm and historic Roche Harbor and meet islanders sharing their love of the land and sea. Explore the dramatic beauty of a National Historic Park important to regional history. Presentations add details on marine ecosystems, local environments and more. Take a chance on seeing orca whales pass by the region's only whale watch park, and visit the famous whale museum.

Explore the waterways and trails of the magnificent San Juan Islands afoot and afloat in search of orca whales in their natural environment. Revel in and reflect on the area's scenery and wildlife, venture out with a naturalist on a half-day whale and wildlife cruise among the natural tapestry of the islands, and enjoy two discovery hikes to island vistas that reveal intimate details of the local ecosystem. On field trips to a whale research outpost station at a historic lighthouse and to the first museum in the nation dedicated to whales living in the wild, learn from experts about the socially intelligent orca whale and build lifelong memories, cross-generational bonds and an ethic of stewardship with your own personalized orca adoption. This program is for grandparents with grandchildren (ages 9-13).

Travel the Puget Sound marine highway to visit three of the most distinct communities along its shores: Seattle, destination for pioneers of the westward movement and jumping off point for the Northwest gold rush; the San Juan Islands, the destination for hardy souls who craved even further solitude and self-determination; and Victoria, the furthest outpost of British civilization, now beloved as a bit of old Europe in the rugged northwest. Experience modern life as you learn the history and future of this beautiful region. In Seattle, learn how climate, geography, fortune, and misfortune led to today's booming metropolis. Field trips to Pike Place Market, Olympic Sculpture Park, Pioneer Square, and other landmarks bring the city to life. Contrast Seattle with Victoria, a city marked by old-world charm. Visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, and the Royal BC MuseumHotel. Round out your experience in the San Juan Islands, a haven for whales, bald eagles, and rugged individualists. Passed over by earlier booms in the Northwest, the islands are threatened today by the allure of their natural beauty. Leave with a sense of the deep bonds of history along the northwest waterways. Seattle, 3 nights; travel to Victoria, British Columbia by Victoria Clipper passenger ferry; Victoria, 3 nights; travel to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island by WA State Ferry; Friday Harbor, 3 nights; Return to Seattle hotel and airport via State Ferry and chartered motor coach.

Join local experts on an exploration of the history and culture of this iconic West Coast city with a long and rich First Nations aboriginal heritage, and trace the tale of European settlement in British Columbia and its legacy today. Experience Victoria's legendary passion for gardening, which stems from British settlers' planting roses to remind them of home. Explore the world-class Butchart Gardens and discover some of the natural highlights of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the area. Savor the grand tradition of Afternoon Tea at the beautiful Empress Hotel, and take field trips to significant sites like Beacon Hill Park, the majestic Parliament Building, Hatley Castle, Fisgard Lighthouse, Fan Tan Alley and more.

Any flower lover's spirits will be raised by the blooming of springtime in Washington. See the tulip fields of the Skagit River Delta in their peak season and explore a unique Pacific Northwest-style woodland garden that is home to the state flower, the Coast Rhododendron. Along the way encounter delicate cherry trees, magnificent magnolias and dainty daffodils. A special treat — cross the breathtaking Deception Pass gorge to savor stunning views from the bridge.

Against the backdrop of Mount Rainier and the Cascades lies seven distinct viticultural areas. Navigate through the Cascade mountains to vineyards with trellises laden with rich grape varietals, all at the same latitude as France. Private access to estate wineries and tasting rooms allow for an unpretentious, hospitable and casual wine discovery. Chat with growers and winemakers, plus learn about the landscapes and colorful locals of the region. Take in the vista at Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington's most spectacular waterfalls.

Immerse yourself in maritime culture and Pacific Northwest history as you engage in intimate study of two distinctive, preserved Victorian seaports. Visit the port of Coupeville on Whidbey Island and explore some of its more than 50 structures on the National Register of Historic Places. Across Puget Sound in Port Townsend, explore one of only three Victorian seaports in America listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lectures by historians accent your explorations with insight into the architecture, culture and seafaring heritage of each port and its surroundings.

Take a ride through American history and explore deep inside amazing private collections and stunning museums dedicated to American innovation. Experts tell stories and reveal details of the Harold LeMay Auto collection, the world's most complete anthology of the American automobile. Survey a century of flight at Seattle's Museum of Flight, visit the Boeing aircraft factory, talk one-on-one with restoration experts as they restore vintage aircraft with passionate dedication, and discuss the impacts of transportation innovation on American travel and culture.