This new year give the delight of nature to a child. Your support makes all the difference.
This new year give the delight of nature to a child. Your support makes all the difference.
Check out what we've got going in January.
The winter issue of Wild Connections is here! We look forward to seeing you outside this season.
Check out what we've got going in December.
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
Check out what we've got going in November.
Come raise a pint of Greenwood IPA to celebrate Jon, our community of friends & family, & raise some money for Wild Whatcom & Bellingham Youth Paddlesports.
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!
Check out what we've got going in October.
The fall issue of Wild Connections is here! We look forward to seeing you outside this season.
Check out what we've got going in September.
Check out what we've got going in August.
Check out what we've got going in July.
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.”
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.
The summer issue of Wild Connections is here! We look forward to seeing you outside this season.
We're hiring!
Please see full job descriptions and other application instructions on our Employment page.
Join our team!
Now hiring 5-7 Outdoor Education Fellows
Applications received by June 15, 2017 receive priority review.
Start date: Mid-August, 2017. Specific date TBD.
Check out what we've got going in June!
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!
Check out what we've got going in May.
Check out what we have going on in April.