Principals Name New Manager of Chewelah Peak
Bill Barnes takes leadership role in outdoor learning center for students

OLYMPIA—Chewelah Peak Outdoor Learning Center is under the direction of a new general manager, the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) has announced. Bill Barnes, an educator who has led student programs at Chewelah Peak since 2004, officially stepped into the position Oct. 17, 2008. He had served as the center’s interim manager since early July.

AWSP, the state’s largest professional association for elementary, middle and high school principals, operates two outdoor learning centers in Washington state. Cispus, located in Randle (about two hours south of Olympia) and Chewelah Peak Learning Center, located in Chewelah (about an hour north of Spokane), provide outdoor leadership and educational opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students, staff and administrators.

As general manager, Barnes now directs the interpretation, curriculum development, coordination and maintenance of Chewelah Peak, which includes complete conference center facilities and services, family housing and recreational facilities. For more than 10 years, he coordinated the Challenge Course curricula at AWSP’s outdoor learning centers, overseeing Chewelah Peak’s program from 2004 to 2008 and Cispus’s program from 1992 to 1998.

“Bill offers not just extensive knowledge of AWSP and its mission but an enthusiasm for outdoor learning,” said Gary Kipp, executive director of AWSP. “His background as an educator, along with his experience at Chewelah Peak and Cispus, made him an outstanding candidate for the position. He understands how to transform traditional classroom skills and knowledge into powerful, hands-on lessons about the natural world.”

“In his new role, Bill will continue to strengthen and expand outdoor learning opportunities for students, educators and community members,” remarked Martin Fortin, Jr., AWSP’s director of outdoor education programs. “Having worked closely with his predecessor, Sue Lind, he is well-equipped to build on the center’s success and maximize our educational potential.” Barnes replaces Lind, who had managed Chewelah Peak Learning Center since 2006.

“Moving into the position of general manager is an exciting challenge,” said Barnes. “I look forward to increasing educators’ awareness of Chewelah Peak as a top-notch resource for outdoor education. I’m also eager to work with our returning groups to fine-tune their experience here, and to develop programs for those first-time visitors who are new to our facility.”
 
Barnes holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boise State University. Prior to joining the Chewelah Peak staff, he worked as a special education specialist at the middle and high school levels. 

The Chewelah Peak Learning Center opened in 2003, offering outdoor education programs to students throughout eastern Washington. The facility has also played host to an array of civic and community groups, including the Spokane Symphony. The campus includes a 100-bed dormitory, a main lodge, classroom spaces, an outdoor campfire bowl and playfields.  

To learn more about Chewelah Peak, visit AWSP’s Web site at www.awsp.org/ChewelahPeak.  

About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,500 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.