Explorers Club Year 7
We look forward to exploring with these groups in Explorers Club Year 7!
Alligator Lizards | Barnacles | Chanterelles
Standard outings and curriculum are below. Individual Explorers Club group schedules and curriculum may vary based on group needs, mentor discretion, previously canceled outings, group progress with technical skills, etc.
Outing dates, times, and locations for all groups are subject to change.
SKILLS FOCUS | YEAR 7
Reflection | Thriving | Adjournment
OUTING 1 | Hike
For the first outing of our final year, we’ll strap on our packs and lace up our boots for an epic hike in the North Cascades. For many years, we have honed our hiking skills in the Chuckanuts, but it is time to take one step further and head into the backcountry. This hike will challenge our bodies and our minds, but we’ll have each other’s support and the surety that we can do hard things. As we explore a landscape that is unlike anything else we’ve experienced in EC, we’ll prepare ourselves for similar, upcoming transitions in life. Don’t worry though, this day won’t be all hard hikes and on-the-nose metaphors, we’ll also have lots of time to connect and talk about what our final year together has in store. Please note this is an 8-hour outing and as such, get a good night’s sleep and eat a big breakfast. Come prepared with extra snacks, a big lunch, and lots of water.
North Cascades
OUTING 2 | SKILLS
For our first skills outing of the year, we thought we would take a deeper dive into something we’ve only skimmed in the past! This outing will be focused on the finer points of mushroom identification, which will hopefully give us the confidence to identify a few common mushrooms in our area. We won’t be identifying with the purpose of eating, but rather to hone our naturalist’s eyes and expand our awareness and knowledge of our fungi kin. Please remember to bring your nature journal to this outing.
North lake whatcom Park
OUTING 3 | SKILLS
For our first of two Create-Your-Own-Adventure outings of the year, we’ll be focusing on skills. Which skill will the group choose to review, practice, or learn brand new? Explorers in the past have chosen to review medicinal plants, practice making debris huts, or move further into their carving skills. Our group has had two outings so far to Collaborate and Compromise about what skill to focus on and to come up with a plan for the day. Mentors will provide inspiration and materials and will help to facilitate this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure outing!
Group Choice location
OUTING 4 | Service
For many years, Wild Whatcom has joyfully explored and learned about the forests, beaches, and mountains of Bellingham. Today, we will return the many gifts that this land has provided us through hard work and service. For our last service outing together as a group, we’ll do something a little different and work alongside a trail crew from Washington Trails Association. We look forward to this day of service and contributing to the well-being of our community.
Washington trails association
OUTING 5 | Night hike
On this evening, we will revisit an old favorite outing and go adventuring into the night. During our last night outing (four years ago!), we worked on Stretching Our Edge by becoming comfortable exploring the woods in the dark. This time around, we’ll spend more time making a campfire, sharing favorite EC stories, and enjoying each other’s company. Please come prepared with a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, warm layers, and dinner.
Larrabee state park
OUTING 6 | Exploration
On our second Create-Your-Own-Adventure outing, the group will enjoy a full and glorious day exploring in nature. Will the group choose a hike on Galbraith, a day by the ocean, or a traverse on Chuckanut mountain? Mentors will provide inspiration and materials and will help to facilitate this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure outing! This is our last proper outing before graduation and we’ll want to make it special. Please bring your nature journal.
Group CHoice location
OUTING 7 | Graduation & Closing Ceremony
The time has come for the parting of ways. While every graduating Explorer is invited to join Wayfinders, our program for high schoolers, this will be our lasting outing together as a group. Graduation is upon us, so get ready for s’mores, fireside chats, and a weekend together full of celebration and connection. The bulk of this weekend will be largely dependent on what the Explorers choose to do, but we plan on spending plenty of time on reflection, acknowledgment, and merry-making. The menu and packing list will be sent via email prior to graduation.
Our weekend will conclude with an outdoor graduation ceremony that will include reflection and affirmation from the Explorers and mentors. Families are invited to join us for this ceremony. To ensure the comfort of everyone, this event will take place outdoors and we ask every family to bring their own camp chairs and picnic/snack rather than potluck style. Please plan on arriving between 1:30-1:45PM for a 2:00PM start to the ceremony. We’ll end our time together with a final, big group Attitude of Gratitude and from there, Explorers will depart with their families.