Cascade Wayfinders 2025-26

The Wayfinder season theme is Nature Connection through Navigation and Life Mapping. Throughout the year, Wayfinders will explore both outer landscapes and inner worlds - practicing wilderness navigation while also mapping their values and life paths. Outings will include a journey into the old-growth of North Cascades, a deep dive into Bellingham’s layered history, and a friendly geocache competition across Chuckanut Mountain. The season will culminate in a spring campout with our first-ever Open Mic Night and a final night outing of reflection, storytelling, and stargazing.

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

Kay Taylor (she/her) | kay@wildwhatcom.org

OUTING 1 | SEPTEMBER | 9:00 - 5:00 PM

TAKING OUR BeaRINGS | NORTH CASCADES

For our first adventure of the season, the Wayfinders will head into the North Cascades to kick off our theme of Navigation and Life Mapping. We’ll begin by creating our Community Agreement: setting intentions for how we want to show up for ourselves and each other throughout the year. Then we’ll dive into the fundamentals of wilderness navigation, including how to use a compass, take and follow bearings, and understand declination. After some hands-on practice, we’ll put our new skills to use as we navigate part of the North Cascades together, relying on a mix of topographic maps, group decision-making, and our growing awareness of the landscape.

Please come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, a nature journal, and as many of the 10 Essentials as you can. This will be a longer day in rugged terrain, so be especially generous with food and water, enough to sustain energy and outlook throughout the day.

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 2 | OCTOBER | 10:00 - 4:00 PM

STORY OF PLACE | TBD

On this urban traverse, Wayfinders will explore the layered history of the land we now call Bellingham from time immemorial to today. We’ll begin our day at the Peace and Reconciliation Arch, where we’ll reflect on why it was built and what it symbolizes. From there, we’ll walk together to a series of local landmarks, each holding pieces of this place’s complex past.

Together, we’ll revisit what we learned as younger Explorers about Coast Salish stewardship of these lands and go deeper into the stories of colonization, displacement, and systemic injustice that have shaped our region. Just as importantly, we’ll also look at stories of resilience, activism, and community care, asking how these lessons can help us map compassionate and inclusive paths to the future. Please note drop-off and pick-up will be at different locations. Bring good walking shoes, your nature journal and whatever helps you stay present and reflective during important conversations.

Drop off Directions: 210 Central Ave. Take Holly St towards downtown Bellingham for .5 miles. Turn R onto Commercial St and follow for .3 miles. Turn L onto Central Ave and the Bellingham Public Library- Central District will be found on your R. Map.

Pick Up Directions: 100 Harris Ave, Bellingham. From I-5, take exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Dr.). Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway. At intersection with 12th St, continue through light onto Donovan Ave. and veer right onto 10th St. Turn left at Harris Ave. and proceed to end of Harris Ave. and park entrance on your left. Map.

OUTING 3 | NOVEMBER | 10:00 - 3:00 PM

SERVICE | TBD

For many years, Wild Whatcom has joyfully explored and learned about nature and life in the forests and on the beaches in the Bellingham area. Today, we will return these gifts back through service. Whether we participate in a beach clean-up, plant native plant species, or do trail maintenance, Wayfinders are sure to make a difference and contribute to the wellbeing of our community.

Directions: TBD

OUTING 4 | FEBRUARY | 9:30 - 4:00 PM

MAPPING THE JOURNEY | NORTH FORK NOOKSACK NATURAL RESEARCH AREA

This month, we head to one of Whatcom County’s hidden gems, a quiet grove of towering Western Red Cedars and Douglas Firs, some over 600 years old. These trees have stood through centuries of storms, seasons, and human history. As we walk among them, we’ll reflect on the stories they hold and begin to map our own. Through the lens of navigation, we’ll spend the day creating maps of our lives so far. What major landmarks have shaped you? What paths have you followed, some leading to discoveries, others to dead ends? What values guide your internal compass? Where do you hope to go next, and what routes might get you there?

This outing invites reflection, imagination, and visioning. Please bring your nature journal, something to write or draw with, warm layers, and rain gear, and be ready to spend the day immersed in old growth and deep thought.

OUTING 5 | MARCH | 10:00-4:00PM

GEOCACHE GAUNTLET | CHUCKANUT MOUNTAIN

Get ready to test your navigation skills, teamwork, and sense of adventure, because this month, the hunt is on. Wayfinders will take to Chuckanut Mountain for a high-stakes geocache treasure hunt like no other. Each group will receive Geocache Bingo Cards, filled with a variety of geocaching challenges. Your mission: spend the day exploring and see how many bingos your group can complete by the end of the outing. Whether you head up into the mountain trails, wander the 100 Acre Woods, or dip into Fairhaven, the route is yours to choose, as long as you stay together and log each cache with photo evidence.

The crew with the most completed bingos will be crowned King Crab of the Campout. This is a rain-or-shine adventure, so please come dressed for the weather with full rain gear, layers, and sturdy, waterproof footwear. Bring your nature journal, lunch, and all the energy you’ve got.

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 east again at the next light onto Chuckanut Drive. Turn north into the Fairhaven Park entrance. Turn right into the first parking lot. Map.

OUTING 6 | April | 12:00 PM SATURDAY - 3:00 PM SUNDAY

CAMPOUT | RASAR STATE PARK

To welcome spring in true Wayfinder style, we’ll gather for our annual overnight campout, a weekend full of laughter, campfires, and community. We'll sharpen our outdoor skills by setting up tents, practicing fire safety, and building our team bond through games, stories, and plenty of unstructured time to just be together in nature. This year, we’re trying something new: after last year's incredible showing at the Pickford Theater, we’re giving the Wayfinder Film Fest a well-earned rest and making space for our first-ever Open Mic Night! So dust off your ukulele, bring your boldest jokes, weirdest dance moves, or that quietly beautiful poem you wrote during Life Mapping—this is your moment. Whether you perform, cheer others on, or just soak it all in with a mug of cocoa, this night is about celebrating who we are and what we create when we show up fully. And yes, there will be s’mores.

Please review this packing list thoroughly and make sure your Wayfinder has all the gear they need to be safe + comfortable. Please see the NOAA forecast here. If your Wayfinder would like to borrow gear and you have not requested, please reach out ASAP.

OUTING 7 | MAY | 3:00 - 8:00 PM

THE FINAL FRONTIER | TBD

For our final gathering of the season, we’ll come together under the evening sky for a rare night outing. We’ll reflect on the journeys we've taken, both on the trail as a group and internally, within ourselves. As darkness falls, we’ll turn our eyes upward and wonder, as humans have for thousands of years: What is our place in the cosmos? What stories do the stars tell? How do we navigate the path ahead? Alongside learning how ancient peoples around the world used the stars to guide their travels, we’ll also honor the transitions ahead, saying goodbye to the season, and perhaps to each other for now.

We’ll share food, stories, and if the skies are kind, a bit of stargazing magic. Please come prepared with a tale to tell, a warm sleeping bag and pad, layers to bundle up in, and dinner. Flashlights and headlamps are welcome but optional, we’ll let the fire and stars do most of the shining.

Directions: TBD

QUESTIONS

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