Scholarships
Summer 2024 Scholarship Update: As of March 1, 2024, we have made all initial summer scholarship awards. Due to an increase in requests, it is unlikely we will have additional scholarship funds for summer 2024. If you have questions about scholarships or registration, email info@wildwhatcom.org.
At Wild Whatcom, we believe everyone should have the opportunity for outdoor exploration and learning. We encourage participants with need to apply for a scholarship.
Wild Whatcom Scholarships
All families with need are welcome to apply for a scholarship from Wild Whatcom. Participants who qualify for the Free and Reduced Price School Meals program, WIC, SNAP, a low income health plan, or who are in foster care, or those families with extenuating circumstances (e.g. single guardian, chronic health care costs, job loss, etc.) will be prioritized given that we have limited funds. When registering, you may request any amount of assistance up to 100% of the cost of the program.
Each Wild Whatcom program will have a priority scholarship request deadline. Requests after this date may still be considered depending on funding availability and program enrollment but are not guaranteed.
To apply for a scholarship, please proceed with registration. The scholarship form will appear once you have selected the products you are registering for. You do not need to make a payment until you hear from us about an award. Your spot(s) are secure during this time. Logout after completing all forms (do not make any payment). Once we contact you about your award, you may pay any balance or we can arrange a payment plan. If you have questions while waiting, email info@wildwhatcom.org.
Below are additional options for receiving financial support to participate in our programs.
Assistance League
Summer only. Merit-based enrichment scholarships for youth grades 6-11 are available through the local Assistance League. Apply in winter. Scholarships awarded in spring.
Blue Skies For Children
One time only. Blue Skies for Children offers need-based scholarships through their Little Wishes program for youth grades K-12.
DDA Respite Funds
Wild Whatcom is a registered provider with the WA State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Respite Funds. Families who wish to use Respite Funds should reach out to our Operations Director, Rachel Budelsky, at rachel@wildwhatcom.org prior to registration for more details.
Cancellations and Refunds
All program outings, dates, times, locations, pricing, and staffing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances and without notice. We will notify you of any changes as soon as possible. Returned check fee $15.
Weather and Safety-Related Cancellations
In our rainy, windy, sometimes snowy Pacific Northwest home, the weather can be dynamic day by day or hour by hour. We can also experience smoke from wildfires, closures, or other emergency events, etc. Because of this, the cost of the program assumes one (1) day of weather and/or safety-related cancellation without refund. Two or more weather and/or safety-related cancellations will result in a pro-rated refund or credit option. Depending on the program’s flexibility, we will do our best to reschedule if possible.
Nature Preschool families please see the Nature Preschool Family Handbook for weather and safety-related cancellation policies.
Explorers Club MISSED DAYS AND MAKE-UPS
We know from experience that Explorers Club groups that prioritize attendance tend to offer a much richer experience for each participant. We hope that, amidst the busy schedules of today, you will help your child prioritize getting outside with Explorers Club.
We also understand that life is unpredictable and family emergencies, illness, and other critical events occur. If your child cannot attend an outing with their group, you can try to schedule a make-up day with another group by contacting explorersclub@wildwhatcom.org. With most of our groups running at capacity, make-ups are sometimes difficult to arrange. We cannot guarantee an alternative spot and we will prioritize those needed due to sickness and emergencies. Typically, it is more difficult to offer make-up days for conflicts with other extracurricular or social activities.
If your child will be missing an outing, please take the time to let your group mentor and Explorers Club management know via email as soon as possible. Unanticipated absences affect our commitments to service providers and to one another and so it is helpful to know about absences in advance. Thank you!
Non-refundable Registration Fee
We understand that life changes, even with the best intentions and plans. It is also the case that many decisions here at Wild Whatcom are put into action based on enrollment expectations. In light of this, we have a $35 non-refundable registration fee for most programs, regardless of when you cancel. After that, refund amounts are based on how far in advance we receive the request prior to program or program season start. We make exceptions for requests due to family or medical emergencies and strive to honor these with compassion and understanding.
Explorers Club Refunds
We hope Explorers Club will be a school year-long commitment, but we understand that schedules change for families. After September 1, you are making a financial commitment for participation through January. After February 1, you are making a financial commitment for participation through the end of the Explorers Club and the school year.
90% refund if cancellation before September 1 for first half year season payment (September-January) or February 1 for second half year season payment (February-June).
50% refund for first half year season payment (September-January) between September 2 and your Explorers Club group’s first outing (typically September or October) or second half year season payment (February-June) between February 2 and your Explorers Club group’s fourth outing (typically January).
No refunds for the season after any program season starts.
Nature Preschool Refunds
We hope Nature Preschool will be a school year commitment, but we understand that schedules change for families. A non-refundable deposit of one month’s tuition is due at registration. This will be applied to your last month of Nature Preschool. If your family is having difficulty making a tuition payment, please reach out to us before your payment is late so that we can find a solution together that does not interrupt your child’s school experience. All other refunds will be handled on a case by case basis.
Neighborhood Nature refunds
90% refund seven (7) days or more before program start date.
50% refund six (6) days or less from program start date.
No refunds after program start date.
Summer Camp Refunds (Preschool Ages 3-5 & Grades 1-8)
90% refund fifteen (15) days or more before program start date.
50% refund eight to fourteen (8-14) days before program start date.
No refunds seven (7) days or less from program start date or after program start date.
Behavior Management and Expectations
At Wild Whatcom, we believe the most effective way to manage behavior is to provide activities that give participants an outlet for their energy, a positive way to interact with their peers, and activities that engage their minds and senses. We ask parents or caregivers to work with our staff to support participants and help us to make Wild Whatcom outings an enriching and fun experience for all!
Wild Whatcom mentors commit to:
Being present (mentally and physically), engaged, and prepared when they show up to interact with participants.
Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for participants to learn, share, try, fail, and have fun.
Facilitate activities that are fun and creative, and that balance free exploration with more structured games to meet the interests of a variety of participants.
Have extra wet/cold weather gear to share with participants should the need arise.
Communicate with parents about issues that arise that we feel would be helpful for parents or caregivers to know about.
Facilitate a process of creating and revisiting behavior expectations that will provide a framework to keep all participants safe, engaged, and having fun. Support participants’ efforts to hold each other accountable to these.
Do our best to maintain confidentiality and address participant behavior in a way that is supportive and not shaming.
As partners in this experience, we ask participants to:
Be prepared for weather to the best of their ability.
Be open to trying new things.
Participate in a variety of activities.
Honor the behavior expectations.
Have fun!
As partners with us, we ask parents or caregivers to:
Communicate these expectations to participants before the first week of programming.
Communicate with Wild Whatcom staff about needs that are specific to participant that may help us provide a positive experience in a timely fashion. Examples include the need for gear appropriate to the season/weather, strategies that help manage behavior at home, etc.
Read email communication and ask for clarification or additional information as needed. Always feel free to provide feedback!
If after several interventions, including communications with parents or caregivers, the Mentors and Program Manager feel that the participant is not able to behave appropriately, based upon stated expectations and mentor guidance, participants may be asked to be removed from programming. Reimbursement for the rest of the season may be extended based upon the situation, but is not a certainty.
Behavior issues that will not be tolerated and are subject to immediate removal from the program without a refund include:
Violence towards staff or other participants.
Repeated aggressive behavior that can’t be remediated through the above steps.
Running away or hiding from staff (except, of course, as part of hide and seek or other games).
Risk and Responsibility
The majority of Wild Whatcom’s programs are conducted in the field where participants may encounter uneven terrain, inclement weather, insects, and other unpredictable events. Participants should be prepared for such events and in good physical condition to spend an entire day outdoors. Participants and/or their parents or guardians (for participants under 18 years of age) must sign the Wild Whatcom Acknowledgement of Risk and Liability Release before participating in programs. In addition, all participants are responsible for providing their own health and accident insurance.
Medications
Note: Nature Preschool (academic year) has different policies due to the nature of the program with little ones. Please see the Nature Preschool Family Handbook on the Nature Preschool page for more information. For severe allergies, you may use the FARE form linked below or a form on file with your current preschool.
Any participant bringing or planning to take a medication during a Wild Whatcom outing, including ANY prescription or non-prescription medication, will need to complete a Child Care Medication Authorization form for EACH medicine. Please complete this form and email to info@wildwhatcom.org prior to your outing or bring to the outing with the medications(s) and give to the lead group mentor. This policy applies to any Wild Whatcom outing where participants are without a parent or guardian present.
Allergy Plans are required for participants with a significant allergy to a food, medication, insect sting, or other substance, or if participant carries an epinephrine auto-injector of any kind.
A significant allergy is one in which a medical professional has counseled complete substance or sting avoidance, and for which reversal medications such as an epinephrine auto-injector ("epi-pen"), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), other antihistamines or steroids MAY need to be given immediately. We recommend you use the FARE form. For non-food allergies cross out "food" and substitute "medication" or "sting" or other substance as required. Physician signature is not required. You may upload the form to your registration account or email completed forms to info@wildwhatcom.org.
Immunizations
Note: Nature Preschool (academic year) has different policies due to the nature of the program with little ones. Please see the Nature Preschool Family Handbook on the Nature Preschool page for more information. Note: Preschool Summer Camps (ages 3-5) do not require immunizations.
Summer 2024 Update: Unfortunately, due to staffing and logistics challenges, we will not be offering backpacking trips this summer.
For extended backpacking trips lasting longer than 36+ consecutive hours, a tetanus booster within the last 5 years and a current copy of the participant’s immunization record showing a full primary tetanus vaccine series is required to participate.
No exceptions to tetanus policy will be allowed for extended backpacking trips as it would require evacuation of any participant who sustains any skin wound. Tetanus spores are present in soil and can infect even a minor wound in individuals not immunized to tetanus.
For participants planning to register for a backpacking trip, please note a seven (7) month window is needed in order to get the full tetanus series. Immunization records may be uploaded to the participant’s registration account, submitted via email, or mailed to: Wild Whatcom, PO Box 4457, Bellingham, WA 98227. See our Immunization policy FAQ for more info about requirements for backpacking trips.
Communications
Your privacy and right to control what mail you receive is very important to us. Wild Whatcom only sends communications to individuals with whom we have an on-going individual or business relationship. Know that all messages will come directly from us and we will not share, sell, or rent your email to anyone.
When you sign up, you will receive our monthly newsletter and occasional program news and event announcements. You are welcome to opt-out or unsubscribe at any time.