We are so excited to share our latest Impact Report with you! In 2023-24 we made big strides toward outdoor education access and inclusion, with a new community program, expanded school district partnerships, and providing over $90,000 in youth scholarships.
Also, Nature Trivia is back, this time at Zeek’s Pizza, on Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 6:00-8:00PM. READ MORE…
Windy weather at Marine Park, Bellingham.
All Wild Whatcom events scheduled for today, Saturday, October 19 are cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain. We'll see you another time! Be safe outside in this stormy weather.
Congratulations to Shelby Kita and Chris Peñuelas, our new School Programs Coordinators.
Join Wild Whatcom in congratulating our two new School Programs Coordinators Shelby Kita and Chris Peñuelas!
Both have shared their experience and passion for the outdoors and education with us as program mentors, and we know they’ll continue to grow and share their talents in these new roles. Our school programs include EdVentures and SEED, which happen in partnership with local K-12 school districts across Whatcom County, as well as Neighborhood Nature, our K-5 after school program.
We also are happy to welcome both new and returning mentors to our school year staff. READ MORE…
The Upfront Theatre is getting wild with us October 16th!
This fall, Wild Whatcom is partnering with our favorite improvisers at The Upfront Theatre to bring you a second round of Wildly Funny! Come support Wild Whatcom with a night of laughs, silliness, and your favorite outdoors stories! Improvisers will take inspiration from your suggestions to create hilarious scenes sure to make you giggle. All proceeds will go to support Wild Whatcom's scholarship program. Get the details - and your tickets - for this family friendly show! READ MORE…
Click this image to watch our 2024 Summer Camps Recap!
How was your summer? At Wild Whatcom, ours was packed with adventure and new friends! It was such a joy to experience sun - and sometime rain - soaked nature spaces with your young explorers. From preschoolers to middle schoolers, we learn so much from seeing the outdoors through their eyes! In this month’s newsletter, watch our 2024 Summer Camp Recap video and read the stats, learn about the importance of a Green Hour for your kids, and the value of your volunteerism in bringing community voice to our work. READ MORE…
Multiple generations talk bugs at an Insect Safari themed Community Field Trip.
Community Programs? What are those? We use this term to refer to our public and free/by-donation programs. We have community programs for adults, children and families, and people of all ages.
Wild Whatcom is probably best known for our work with school-aged children. So why do we even have Community Programs? The short answer: because everyone needs the benefits of time in nature, and time with others - including YOU! READ MORE…
Have you - or your child - enjoyed spending time outside with Wild Whatcom? We want to hear your story! In this month’s newsletter, we tell you how you can share your experiences with us using video, audio, or text. Also featured: important updates to our scholarship program, how to volunteer with us, and fun outings for all ages! READ MORE…
Hannah Thomas: Adventurer, Nature Nurturer, Wild Whatcom Friend.
We’re excited to introduce you to our new summer staff and interns! They all bring plenty of experience, skills and enthusiasm to our summer campers!
We are also looking ahead to fall, and hiring for several positions. Get all of the details in our latest e-newsletter! READ MORE…
In this month’s newsletter, we have exciting volunteer opportunities, fascinating nature programs to share with your summer visitors, and the scoop on registering for Explorers Club, Wayfinders and Neighborhood Nature, which all kick off this fall. There are so many ways to get outside with us, learn and play, and connect with other folks! READ MORE…
Explorers Club (EC) is Wild Whatcom's flagship program - the one that started it all!
On July 1st, we are opening direct enrollment for this program - no waiting, and no advanced interest form needed!
Since 2004, we've brought small, cohort groups outside for monthly adventures. Kids are matched with their (grade level) peers when they join EC. They return to the same group year after year, 2nd - 8th grade. Your child can choose a Girls, Boys, or All Genders EC group. Open enrollment will also be available for Wayfinders, our high school program. READ MORE…
Summer is in sight, and we have so much fun planned for you!
In this issue of Wild Connections, learn about updates to our scholarships program, our new BIPOC Walks program and the kickoff barbeque, registration for our 2024-25 Neighborhood Nature after school program, and all of the fantastic summer programs for people of all ages during June. Hint: these are great to attend with friends, summer visitors, and the whole family! READ MORE…
By the end of the 2023-24 program year, we expect to have provided over $93,000 in scholarships to Wild Whatcom participants - not including free and by-donation programs! As Wild Whatcom has grown, we have been thrilled that our scholarship program has grown as well. With the continuing increase in scholarship requests, we will be implementing some changes to the scholarship program moving forward to ensure that we can serve the greatest number of families and families with the highest need. The most significant change will be firm scholarship application deadlines, unique to each program and listed on the program webpage. If funds remain after the deadline, late applications may be considered.
FAQ - Scholarship Program Updates
Why are you making changes in 2024-25 to the scholarship program? We anticipate in the coming years the amount of scholarship requests will exceed our capacity to give. With the changes we are making, our goal is to add transparency around the scholarship application process and provide ample notice to families of scholarship awards or denials so that they can make alternative plans as needed.
Application deadlines Each program/season will have a unique scholarship application deadline and award date, listed on the program webpage. If funds remain after the deadline, late applications may be considered.
How to apply Scholarship applications will still be completed during the registration process. All questions asked in the application help us make award decisions and collect info needed to secure grant funds and private donations that fund this program. Wild Whatcom never uses names or identifying information in applications or communications with funders.
Does applying guarantee an award or a spot in the program? Submitting a scholarship request does not guarantee a spot in the program. However, we work diligently to make first round awards well in advance of program start dates and before programs fill. Once awards are made, your spot will be finalized. Requests after the initial application date may still be considered depending on funding availability and program enrollment.
How will you determine awards? If we do not have sufficient funding to make all requests, we will use a decision tree to determine awards recipients. The decision tree considers financial need, past year or season scholarship awards, and the importance of repeat experiences for children.
To donate to support Wild Whatcom's scholarship program, click here. For additional questions, email info@widlwhatcom.org.
Is your inbox flooded with requests for the GiveBIG campaign? Wild Whatcom would like to suggest a different approach: Give small!
We're looking to add 20 new monthly donors to our support community this spring. Scheduling small donations each month is an easy way to fit charitable giving into your budget, and your regular support yields big results over time.
Where does your giving go? Read more…
We have so many ways for you to connect with us, and with nature, during the month of May! In this newsletter:
*Are you a person of color looking to get outside in Whatcom County? We want YOUR input to help shape our new BIPOC Nature Walks series, launching THIS summer! Take our short survey to share your ideas, and influence how we grow this new program.
*Wild Whatcom is celebrating 20 years of bringing local folks outside together, to connect with nature and each other. Will you help us recognize this milestone by joining the fun?
*This month, our Explorers Club (EC) and Wayfinders (WF) participants are enjoying their final outings, and celebrating the completion of the 2023-24 season of their programs. If you don't have a child or teen in EC or WF, and are curious about either program, read on!
It's true! What started with two nature-loving moms bringing girls and young families outdoors, has grown to a robust organization that clocks 50,000+ nature hours with thousands of you every year. All we can say is WOW - and thank you for being a part of our success. Now it's time to celebrate. Read on for details about our May 5th kickoff party, our 20 for 20 Campaign, new merch with art by Gretchen Leggitt, and how to share your Wild Whatcom story! Read more…
Spring is here, and we’re kicking it off with a poetry reading by our own Nicola Follis, School Programs Coordinator, and a celebration of twenty years of service and stewardship by our Explorers Club participants.
As the weather shifts (back and forth), we would love to have you join us out there on one of our Beaver Prowl outings. We’re also excited about the return of Wonder Walks! Read more…
Are you dreaming of warmer weather and sunnier skies? We'll be opening registration for Summer Camps and Preschool Summer Camps on Thursday, February 1 (CT). Note: this is Wednesday, January 31 at 10:00PM (PST). Plus, we’ve got news about after school programs, our winter appeal, and community programs in our January 2024 issue of Wild Connections. Read more…
January 2023: Casey Cook (Marine Life Center) leads late night discovery.
We are just weeks away from welcoming 2024. How are you doing this winter?
The El Niño weather, the hectic holidays, the sense of big change that a new year can bring - all of these factors have their impact on our day to day lives. Resting to restore is important, but make sure you balance rest with time outside - and with others.
Wild Whatcom has plenty of winter fun ahead. We can bring loaner gear to keep you cozy, and we guarantee that curiosity and community will be there too! Let's make our way through the season together.
Our year-end fundraiser helps us reach the people in Whatcom County who need our nature programs them the most! Are you wondering about the impact of your support? Watch and listen - to this message from our Program Director Mike Sidwell:
If you just can't contribute today, please consider these alternatives:
Share this fundraiser with your friends who care about our community, our environment, and outdoor access for all.
Join us on a outing! A great place to start is at one of our Community Programs.
Donate outdoor clothing and gear to help us provide free loaners to participants in need.
Volunteer with us! We have lots of options, in the field, on communities, even virtually.
Our year-end fundraiser continues through Dec. 31st, and every dollar matters. Any support your can share is greatly appreciated!
Wild Whatcom supporter, big animals can easily capture our attention - and for good reason! But just in case it isn't already on your radar, we wanted to share the news that "The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are currently in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to evaluate options for restoring and managing grizzly bears in the North Cascades of Washington"*, and they're seeking your input.