Questionable Rock Frogs 2024-2025

Welcome to Explorers Club Season 4! This year, our technical and socio-emotional skill building will go hand-in-hand. We’ll begin the year learning about shelter building and how it takes a team to complete one full debris hut. We’ll move forward onto the art of carving and the prerequisite skills of body awareness, tool safety, and patience. Next, we’ll hop into medicinal plants and recall what we’ve learned about ethical harvest and plant ID. Our season will end with a challenging rock scramble along the coast that will deepen our connection to the wild and hone our sense of group support. 

All outings, including dates, times, locations, and staffing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances and without notice. We will notify you of any changes as soon as possible.

Resources

Explorers Club Pack List

Mentor Contact Info

Sarah McHugh (they/them) | sarah@wildwhatcom.org

Evie Boland (she/her) | evie@wildwhatcom.org

OUTING 1  |  Saturday, SEPTEMBER 28  |  10:00 - 3:00 PM

EXPLORATION  |  TEAM BUILDING  |  CLAYTON BEACH 

Our first outing of the year will be all about reconnecting as a group, diving into leadership activities, and exploring the nature that surrounds us. There will be plenty of opportunities for free exploration, games, and socio-emotional skill-building. We will also revisit activities, tools, and language that we’ve worked on in the past to strengthen our inter/intrapersonal communication and problem-solving skills. Make sure to pack your nature journal and maybe a bathing suit, towel, and closed-toed water shoes.

Directions: 100-104 WA-11. From I-5, take exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Dr). Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway. Turn left at 12th St, then left again at next light onto Chuckanut Dr. for approx. 5.5 miles. The parking lot is a short distance past the main Larrabee State Park entrance. It will be on your left and is signed Lost Lake Parking Lot. Map.   

OUTING 2  |  Sunday, OCTOBER 27  |  10:00 - 3:00 PM

SKILLS  |  DEBRIS HUT SHELTER  |  100 ACRE WOODS 

Today we will tap into the universal childhood passion of fort-building, but with a twist. Instead of blankets and pillows, we’ll be using what dead and downed materials we can find in the forest. With some finessing, we’ll learn to harness the love of fort-building and turn it into a helpful survival skill. This day will also teach us the power of teamwork, showing us what strength lies in our group when we work together. And of course, there will be plenty of time for exploring and games to get us back in the groove of the Explorers Club.

Directions: 107 N. Chuckanut Dr, Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Dr). Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway. Turn south at 12th St, then veer east again at next light onto Chuckanut Drive. Turn east into the Fairhaven Park entrance. Turn right into the second parking lot at the end of the road. Map.

OUTING 3  |  Saturday, NOVEMBER 16  |  10:00 - 3:00 PM

SKILLS  |  CARVING I  |  WHATCOM FALLS PARK - ELECTRIC AVE ENTRANCE

*Please note this outing was originally scheduled for Saturday, 11/23*

Whatcom Falls Park is the crown jewel of Whatcom County’s urban parks. With spectacular sandstone formations, awesome waterfalls, and a gorgeous second-growth forest, we’re bound to have a truly epic day of exploring. If the group is ready, we will also embark on a very special skills journey: carving! This skill requires lots of demonstrated patience, safety, and body awareness skills, but the rewards are worth it. Once we find a good spot for our basecamp we will take the momentous step of responsibility into knife usage. Please make sure that your Explorer has watched the Knife Safety video before this outing.

Directions: 1401 Electric Ave. From I-5, take exit 253 (Lakeway Dr.). Head east on Lakeway Dr. for approx. 1.6 miles. Turn Left onto Electric Ave and drive for .2 miles. Turn Left onto Arbor St and then turn Right onto Sunset Lane until you reach the parking lot near the tennis courts and playground. Map.

OUTING 4  |  Sunday, JANUARY 12  |  10:00 - 3:00 PM

SKILLS  |  Tarps, Knots, & Harvest  |  Yew St Woods 

In the fall, we learned all about how to make a shelter with debris found in our forests. On this day, we’ll continue diving into our skills theme of shelter-building by learning how to tie different types of knots and how to pitch a tarp. As always, there will be lots of time for games, challenges, and free exploration. Don’t forget that our first level of shelter is always our clothing. So don’t forget to Come Prepared for a PNW winter with rain gear and warm, dry layers. 

Directions: 853-881 San Juan Blvd. From I-5, take exit 253 (Lakeway Drive). Head east on Lakeway Dr. for 1.1 miles. Turn right on Yew St. and drive for 0.7 of a mile. Turn right onto San Juan Blvd. Street parking will be on your left. Map.

OUTING 5  |  Saturday, FEBRUARY 1  |  10:00 - 3:30 PM

SKILLS  |  MEDICINAL PLANTS  |  WHATCOM LAND TRUST HOMESTEAD

Explorers know that plants give many gifts, providing food, clothing, tools, and medicine. As we ramble and roam throughout the forest, we'll discover some of the powers of plants to heal (& harm). Part of our time will be spent making a simple, yet ancient skin salve called the Balm of Gilead and perhaps also some forest tea. Each Explorer will come home with their own small jar of salve that can be used as chapstick, lotion, or sunburn cream. Please make sure that your Explorer packs an empty mug for tea and let us know if they have any known allergies to cottonwood, bees or soywax.

Directions: 3424 Meridian St., Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 256A (Meridian St). Head south on Meridian St. for three blocks and turn north at the Squalicum Parkway intersection entrance. Map. 

OUTING 6  |  Sunday, MARCH 9  |  TIME TBD

SERVICE  |  CONNELLY CREEK RESTORATION SITES

Explorers Club has two official restoration sites that we work on every year in partnership with the Bellingham Parks Department. In the decade-plus that EC has worked at Connelly Creek trailhead and Happy Valley park, the landscape of each site has changed dramatically. Explorers of all ages have helped to remove Himalayan blackberries and dig out their persistent roots. We’ve planted over 100 native plants, shrubs, and trees. Existing plant life has been freed of ivy, reed canary grass has been covered in mulch, and morning glory has been dug out by the root. Explorers have removed hundreds of pounds of trash and hauled almost 100 yards of mulch. 

With the help of Bellingham City Parks and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), we are contributing to the very important work of salmon habitat restoration. Salmon are keystone species of the Northwest, playing important roles in every ecosystem and community they interact with. They are economically, culturally, and spiritually significant to Indigenous peoples, including our Lummi and Nooksack neighbors. Our restoration work creates a positive ripple effect that is felt in communities beyond just salmon and gives us an incredible opportunity to be part of a legacy of stewardship and protection. 

Please remember to print, sign, & bring the Park and Recreation’s Risk and Liability form to drop off.

Directions: South Bellingham Park and Ride (West). From I-5, take exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Dr). Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway for 0.1 mile. Turn north onto 30th St for 0.3 mile. Turn east on Donovan Ave. and drive for 0.1 mile. Turn south onto 32nd Ave. and drive for 0.2 of a mile. Turn east into Bellingham Park & Ride (WSDOT) westside lot. Map.  

OUTING 7  |  Sunday, March 30  |  10:00 - 3:00 PM

EXPLORATION  |  POINT WHITEHORN  

We'll head northwards this day to explore a coastal gem of Whatcom County. Point Whitehorn is nestled right below Birch Bay State Park and is home to heron, otter, and herring. From the shores, we’ll see views of the Cascades and San Juan Island. If it’s low tide, we may be able to walk to the mudflats and if it’s high tide, we’ll wiggle our toes in the Salish Sea. But mostly, we'll run arms wide and feet flying into expanses of sand and sea, driftwood and round rock, exploring our way around this beautiful beach. Be sure to pack closed-toed water shoes, a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and extra H2O. 

Directions: 6899 Koehn Rd #6601, Blaine. From I-5, take exit 266 for Grandview Rd/WA 548 N. Turn west onto Grandview Road. Follow Grandview Road ~8.5 miles. Grandview Rd veers sharply left and becomes Koehn Rd. Follow Koehn Rd for ~.5 miles and turn L into the parking lot. Map.

OUTING 8  |  Saturday, MAY 17  |  TIME DEPENDENT ON TIDES - 6 HOUR OUTING

EXPLORATION  |  LARRABEE COAST TRAVERSE 

Previous Explorers have made the momentous journey along the Salish Coast between Clayton Beach to Larrabee State Park and it is now time for our group to do the same. We'll embrace the low tide and get around a few jutting bluffs first thing. Once around the corner, the group will enter a rare section of wild space that is sheltered within the map of civilization. The route along the coast is so seldomly traveled by humankind that we’ll be bound to spot numerous eagles, crabs, herons, and seals. This day is unlike any of our other outings due to the challenging nature of rock scrambling and mentor-guided climbing. It will require our Explorers to maintain a backcountry mindset as we move Slow and Low over the slippery, barnacle covered sandstone. It is very important to wear good hiking or walking shoes and may be helpful to have rubber gardening gloves to prevent barnacle cuts. Please pack closed-toed water shoes, a towel, and a bathing suit.

Drop-off Directions:  245 Chuckanut Dr. From I-5 N, take exit 250 for Old Fairhaven Pkwy and turn west onto Old Fairhaven Pkwy.  At the traffic light, turn south onto 30th St and follow for ~1 mile. Turn west onto Old Samish Rd. After ~.5 miles, turn south onto WA-11/ Chuckanut Drive. Follow Chuckanut Dr for ~3.5 miles and then turn west on Cove Road. Turn south on Pleasant Bay Road, follow signs to the boat launch. Map. 

Pick-up Directions: 100-104 WA-11. From I-5, take exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Dr). Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway. Turn left at 12th St, then left again at next light onto Chuckanut Dr. for approx. 5.5 miles. The parking lot is a short distance past the main Larrabee State Park entrance. It will be on your left and is signed Lost Lake Parking Lot. Map.     
Reminder: A Discover Pass is required for all parking at Larrabee State Park. If you do not have a pass, please stay with your vehicle and plan to make drop-off and pick-up quick.

Questions

Please contact your group’s mentor(s) listed above or explorersclub@wildwhatcom.org.