Our Gratitude Overflows - Giving Thanks this Holiday Season

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and our gratitude is overflowing. On behalf of all the kids who get to explore outside with Wild Whatcom, and all those we hope to serve in the future – THANK YOU.
 
You are truly change-makers. In the face of ften difficult orld news, you are nourishing hope by developing youth who care about the earth, understand our interconnectedness, and have the skills to lead collaboratively. 

You deserve to feel extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished this year. You are making a difference, child-by-child, and we are profoundly grateful.

  • 4,000 participant hours – time kids spent outdoors, roaming and romping, learning and growing with Wild Whatcom.

  • ,000 community service hours – kids giving back in meaningful ways.

  • $1,000 in scholarships – bringing the joy of nature to those who otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

  • Over 1,500 youth in our programs, with more focus on eaching kids in Title 1 school and those with disabilities.

We use resources wisely so we can prioritize what matters most – spending time outside with kids to inspire them to love the outdoors, relish community service, and lead with compassion and respect. While our outreach is sometimes limited, please don’t interpret this as lack of appreciation. We are awed by your generosity and filled with gratitude.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones – may your holidays be restorative and delicious.
 
Warmly,

Emily Barnett Highleyman
Executive Director

Play Poker - Support Wild Whatcom

Come raise a pint of Greenwood IPA to celebrate Jon, our community of friends & family, & raise some money for Wild Whatcom & Bellingham Youth Paddlesports.

  • Saturday, November 11, 2017
  • 6:00-10:00PM
  • Kulshan 2 - (Kulshan 2 is a 21 & over venue)
  • 1538 Kentucky St., Bellingham. View Map

Texas Hold-Em, Kulshan Beer, Poker / Costume Prizes, Kulshan Swag, Food Trucks, Fun.

Jon would love this. Getting our community together, having fun, & raising some money to support two youth groups that his girls are such a big part of. Please come out, even if poker isn't your thing... Because it's not about that - it's about celebrating life. The way Jon did. As he would say... "Get Some!"

Come play, watch, or just hang out. Look forward to seeing you there.

Tickets on sale now!

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!