Wild Whatcom fosters lifelong connections to nature.
“My son has been participating in Wild Whatcom programs since first grade. We are so fortunate to have a program that is truly fun and educational and provides youth an opportunity to become stewards of this extraordinary region we call home.”
Join An Outing
Get outside with us and other members of the community! Registration is open to the public - and we have options for all ages. Check our our Events Calendar for other events too!
Youth Programs
A cohort-style mentorship program offered on weekend days during the school year for grades 2-12. Registration opens in July for new kids.
Explore nearby nature with one or more weekly after school sessions in fall, winter, and spring for grades K-5. Registration opens in June.
Five day summer camps teach wilderness skills like carving, fire-making, navigation, and tracking for grades 1-8. Registration opens in February.
Serving potty-trained adventurers ages 3-5 on M, T, TH and/or F mornings at the Chuckanut Center. Registration opens in February for new students.
Four day, half-day summer camps for ages 3-5. Learning about birds, mammals, and life at the beach. Registration opens in February.
“[Our child] had a great time! He gushed on the way home and woke up gushing about his adventures this morning! ”
Community programs
BIPOC WALKS
By and for people of color to build community while spending time outdoors in Bellingham. All ages welcome. Registration is open!
Explore nature nearby! Drop-in, donation-based, monthly adventures around our area. All ages welcome. Join us for our next field trip!
Drop-in, donation-based outings each full moon around our area for women ages 18+ (LGBTQ Friendly). Let’s walk when the moon is full!
Explore local, low-barrier trails in this drop-in, donation-based weekly program for ages 18+, folks with mobility limitations, or those hoping to move slowly. Registration is open!
Drop-in, donation-based outings each month around Whatcom County for queer folks and allies ages 18+. Registration is open!
Explore through a child’s eyes! Drop-in, donation-based, weekly outings on Friday and/or Saturday mornings in local parks for ages 0-6 and their adult(s). Registration is open!
“Every time I have attended a Ladies Night Out, I learn something new about the outdoor world and have gone to a new park/green space. I also love the quiet time and space we are given to be ‘alone together’. In my busy life, I often forget about making this time for myself and Ladies Night reminds me how necessary this is for my mental and physical health.”
Partner Programs
We partner with schools, community organizations, and public agencies to reach underserved communities, public school teachers, students with disabilities, and other individuals. Learn more about these programs here:
A collaborative project providing professional development for public school teachers to utilize the outdoor classroom to teach climate science lessons.
Three or four nature outings a year for Grade 1-3 Title 1 elementary classrooms in the Bellingham Public and Mount Baker School Districts.
Grant-funded or subsidized outings for other partners in town such as Opportunity Council or Lydia Place.
Hands-on learning experiences for public, private, and homeschooled students, inc. pre-designed and custom field trips.
SEED (Student Environmental Education & Discovery) partners with school districts to provide meaningful outdoor experiences to students with disabilities who otherwise rarely have opportunities to use nature-based experiences as a tool for growth and development.
We integrate stewardship and service into many of our programs, partnering with a variety of groups to give back to our community!
““This program is a must! Our students don’t get enough chances to explore the wilderness around them. Wild Whatcom provides opportunities for our youth and does it in a way that is accessible for all. Our kids need to develop a love for nature and learn ways they can protect it.” ”
What’s the latest news?
Visit our Events Calendar page for community events and programming.