School's Out Washington - Wild Whatcom Profile

Quality in Action: Wild Whatcom's Girls Explorers Club

Over the past year, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has joined Women’s Funding Alliance in their mission to advance leadership for women and girls in our state.

As part of Women’s Funding Alliance’s Girls Leadership Organizations of Washington (GLOW) Initiative, SOWA has provided quality improvement training to a cohort of leaders from fourteen girl-serving youth programs. Together with Women’s Funding Alliance and their GLOW cohort, we are providing girls across Washington State with a wider range of quality leadership development experiences.

“Working with School’s Out Washington to deliver the Youth Program Quality component of our GLOW initiative has allowed our cohort members to develop strategies and shared language around quality in their programming,” says Women’s Funding Alliance President & CEO Liz Vivian. “We are thrilled to be working with SOWA and our GLOW cohort to strengthen the girl-serving ecosystem in Washington State.”

Hannah Thomas Plant, Girls Explorers Club

Program leaders at Wild Whatcom, a youth organization based in Bellingham, shared how their experience in the GLOW cohort and quality improvement process has shaped the culture of their programming.

“Wild Whatcom already had a strong approach to working with kids, but through the Youth Program Quality Assessment, coaching and peer learning, we have been able to come together with shared intention and a shared language around how we want to interact with the girls in our program and build a culture that is impactful," explains Hannah Thomas Plant – Girl’s Explorers Club Coordinator for Wild Whatcom.

Wild Whatcom engages more than a thousand children and families in a variety of year-round programs, with a goal of helping bring the joy of the outdoors to children and families throughout Whatcom County. At the heart of the organization’s work is helping to create a community who really cares about connecting to nature.

Full article here

Horizon Middle School Care Fair - Stop by our table!

Horizon Middle School, Horizon Natural High Club and Native Student Club has invited Wild Whatcom to participate in their 2nd annual Care Fair Friday, May 19th from 11:15-12:45PM.

The Care Fair promotes a healthy summer by connecting students to local recreational, educational, and enrichment opportunities during the summer and/or when school resumes in the fall. 

We're excited to share Wild Whatcom program opportunities with our friends at Horizon Middle School. Join us if you can!

 

Join us at Wander Brewing! - Tuesday, Feb 21

Our friend Kelsey!

Tomorrow will be the first Community Tuesday of the year at Wander Brewing and they will be donating $1 from every pint sold to Wild Whatcom!

Community Tuesdays will be held once a month and $1 from every pint sold will be donated to an organization that was chosen by a member of our team. Kelsey, one of our fantastic beertenders, picked Wild Whatcom. See below for why she is so passionate about this awesome organization.
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From Kelsey: I chose Wild Whatcom as my nonprofit organization for Community Tuesdays based on my two passions: educating children and the outdoors. Wild Whatcom focuses on connecting children with nature, self, community, and earth. Through hands on experiences, children are able to recognize the importance of spending time in the outdoors and protecting nature. Not only do kids gain naturalist knowledge and skills, but also key life skills. Plus Wild Whatcom is all about having fun along the way!

Support Wild Whatcom at Fairhaven Gives Back event

Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 17 and the annual Fairhaven Gives Back event. Wild Whatcom is one of the non-profit recipients again this year so make your list and plan to shop Fairhaven November 17th!

How does it work? Well, when you're doing your holiday shopping this year, don't just pay; pay it forward! That's the message of Fairhaven Gives Back

Fairhaven Gives Back helps holiday shoppers support local businesses as well as their favorite local nonprofits with each purchase they make. It's a brilliantly simple idea: When shoppers make a purchase at participating Fairhaven businesses or restaurants, 10 percent of the sale is donated by that business to the nonprofit of the shopper's choosing from a list of Whatcom County nonprofits.

Since the event was first launched in 2013, Fairhaven Gives Back has raised more than $3,500 for local nonprofits. Help make 2016 the best year yet!

Simply come to Fairhaven and look for the "Fairhaven Gives Back" sign in the windows and doors of participating merchants. When you make a purchase you'll be handed a form with local non-profits from which to pick your favorite. 10% of your purchase at each participating shop you patronize will be donated to the nonprofit you select from the list provided. 

CANCELLED due to severe weather and wind warning -- Family Service Party and Gear Swap

Photo Credit: Girls Explorers CLub

CANCELLED!  Unfortunately the major storm moving in is expected to bring gusts of up to 60 mph. For the sake of everyone's safety and well-being, we've decided to cancel this event.  We are looking forward to finding another date, with better conditions, to come together to serve our community and celebrate!  Thank you for your interest. 

Thursday, October 13, 3:00-6:30PM
Squalicum Creek Park

Wild Whatcom has teamed up with the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department to offer a free, fun, and family-friendly outdoor event on this early-release Thursday.

Pitch in alongside your child with shovels and buckets as we weed and mulch around young trees in a new forest restoration from 3:00-5:00PM. All ages welcome. Gloves and other supplies provided.

We'll then celebrate our afternoon from 5:00-6:30PM with a POTLUCK (please bring a dish to share), MUSIC by the marimba band, Kuunga, and other FUN ACTIVITIES! Cups, plates, and flatware provided.

We'll also be holding a GEAR SWAP! If you have unused or outgrown outdoor gear lying around (clothing, equipment, etc.), gather them up and bring them along. No need to bring gear in order to participate in the swap. 

Want to volunteer? Have a question?
Email Wild Whatcom Program Manager, Chris Wiebe, at chris@wildwhatcom.org.