Excursions
About Excursions
The Outdoor Center (OC) offers quarterly Excursions that allow for WWU Students to experience fun, accessible, and affordable ways for them to get outside and connect with themselves and others. OC Excursions center diverse practices so expect to engage in activities that refine your outdoor skills and environmental practices, enrich the academic experience, and promoting life-long learning!
All OC Excursions are created and led by student trip leaders who are certified and educated in safe & smart outdoor recreation practices. This also means that we love to provide a variety of trips based on what our trip leaders are passionate about passing on to students - no two quarters will be the same!
Contact Info
Fall 2026 Excursion List
WED 09/30
Oyster Dome Sunset Hike #1: $5
- Come join us on a quintessential Bellingham hike, Oyster Dome! Come see the beauty of the forest as we hike up to the top, where we will enjoy a beautiful view of the sun setting over the San Juan Islands.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
THUR 10/08
Oyster Dome Sunset Hike #2: $5
- Join us on our second Oyster Dome hike, and see the beauty of the forest as we hike up to the top and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the San Juan Islands!
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
WED 10/14
Watermelons & Watercolors: $5
- Spend the evening eating watermelon and experimenting with nature-inspired art, including an optional watercolor walk-through. Some art materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies as well. No previous artistic experience is necessary and all forms of art are welcome! We will either relax outside or get cozy indoors depending on the weather.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
WED 10/15
Tide pooling & Watercolors: $5
- Spend the evening tide pooling and experimenting with nature-inspired art, including an optional watercolor scene walk-through. Some art materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies as well. No previous artistic experience is necessary and all forms of art are welcome!
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
FRI 10/17
Elbow Lake Day Hike: $15
- Come and join us for a hike at Elbow Lake! This hike is somewhat more remote than others we do. Explore a new part of Washington and see beautiful scenery with us.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 10/13, 5 - 7 PM
SAT 10/31
Halloween Rafting: $30
- Let's get spooky and goofy on the Skagit! Join the outdoor center for a Halloween - themed rafting experience on the beautiful but honestly sometimes scary Skagit river!
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 10/27, 5 - 7 PM
SUN 11/01
Lummi Island Sculpture Woods #1: $15
- Explore the mystic Sculpture Woods on Lummi Island. Get ready to be inspired, in awe, and put your artist's cap on.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 10/27, 5 - 7 PM
SAT 11/14
Lummi Island Sculpture Woods #2: $15
- Join us for our second Sculpture Woods on Lummi Island. Prepare to bring out your inner artist and be inspired!
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 11/10, 5 - 7 PM
SAT 10/03 - SUN 10/04
Lummi Island Sea Kayaking: $60
- Join us for a multi-night kayaking excursion! We will go to an island through Bellingham Bay (likely Lummi island if the weather provides) and spend a wonderful night camping together.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 09/29, 5 - 7 PM
FRI 10/09 - SUN 10/11
Backpacking #1: $60
- Join us for a weekend backpacking trip in the North Cascades! We will be hiking a steep, rocky, and narrow trail, and while no previous backpacking experience is required, this excursion is best suited to those with prior hiking experience. Gear provided!
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 10/06, 5 - 7 PM
SAT 10/10 - SUN 10/11
Mt. Erie Rock Climbing: $60
- Learn top rope basics and make new friends on this fun, local overnight trip. Mt. Erie is a classic climbing destination perfect for beginners, overlooking some of the best views of the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 10/06, 5 - 7 PM
SAT 11/07 - SUN 11/08
Backpacking #2: $60
- Join us for a weekend backpacking trip in the North Cascades! We will be hiking a steep, rocky, and narrow trail, and while no previous backpacking experience is required, this excursion is best suited to those with prior hiking experience. Gear provided!
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Required Pre-Trip Meeting: TUE 11/07, 5 - 7 PM
More About Excursions
The Outdoor Center recognizes that the cost of Trips will be a barrier to some students who are interested in participating in our trips and events. To try and reduce those barriers, 3 spots on each trip will be reserved for students who receive Federal Student/Financial Aid. Our trips in quarter have no charge, our longer trips over intersessions have a reduced rate. Please fill out the form below to have the cost of your trip waived or reduced.
Outdoor Center Excursion Fee Waiver Form
Spots will be reserved the first 2 weeks of the quarter and then opened to the general student body if not filled.
For disability accommodations, questions, or requests please email our Outdoor Center Excursions Co-coordinators, Alex or Dieder, or call the Outdoor Center at least two weeks before the trip.
Informed consent is critical, and we want you to be aware of the activity you are signing up for. Each trip has a difficulty level listed in the description: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Below you will find a detailed description of what that entails.
Beginner
Beginner Excursions cater to those individuals who are interested in trying something new! Generally, these introductory experiences are designed to be more laid back and not too strenuous. Most importantly they are created for those who do not have prior experience in the activity. Activities may range from educational experiences to artistic activities and anything in between. These excursions are great if you are looking to learn new skills, gain exposure to new activities, foster community, and have a great time outside!
Intermediate
Intermediate Excursions are a great option for those who would like to explore new challenges and build upon past skills. If you are looking to explore more difficult trails or embark on longer, more strenuous adventures, this activity category is for you! These excursions are designed to safely instruct participants on more technical skills, and to dive deeper into the activity at hand. Outings often include less introductory material, but still ensure that participants are fully informed on the activity at hand! These are a great option if you are looking to step outside of your comfort zone, continue to explore these awesome activities, and meet new people!
Advanced
Advanced Excursions are designed to build upon prior experience and solidify technical skills in outdoor recreation. Participants must have experience in the associated activity and feel competent, but still open to growth in their individual skill sets. Designed to explore more challenging recreational activities, expect a higher level of potential difficulty on these Excursions. These are great if you are looking to build upon past experiences and use old skills in new ways. Come explore new aspects of your favorite activities, and of course have a great (and safe) time!
FAQ's
Please limit your sign-up for an Excursion to one trip per quarter to allow other students the opportunity to sign-up for a desired trip.
Once a trip is full you may register for our waitlist, which can be found at the bottom of the trip sign-up link. If a spot becomes available on a trip you will receive a text from the Outdoor Center.
You will receive a text from the Outdoor Center if a trip becomes available. You must respond to that text within 1 hour to confirm your spot. You will then need to come into the Outdoor Center to complete trip registration.
Check our refund policies below.
Nope! Please have your friend sign up individually.
Refund Policy
Read the policies below to determine if you are eligible for a refund.
If you are, then you will need to come in person to the Outdoor Center (VU 150) during the hours we are open in order to process the refund.
Yes.
No.
Outdoor recreation is a extremely dynamic and occasionally, we need to change the location or format of a trip due to safety concerns (concerns are typically caused by weather or other environmental factors). We do not offer refunds when this occurs.
