Programs for Every Season

Vamos offers free, year-round outdoor, academic, and recreational programs designed to provide exposure to nature and diverse activities. Each program includes transportation, nutritious meals, expert instruction, and all necessary gear. Led by dedicated staff and mentors, our programs foster meaningful connections, promote positive risk-taking, and help youth build confidence while exploring the outdoors in every season.

Outreach and Enrollement

Vamos Outdoors Project prioritizes serving Latine, Migrant, Multilingual, Newcomer, and low-income families. Our focus is on students who meet most or all of these criteria.

Programs we offer:

  • Indoor Climbing
    Swimming
    Snowboarding
    Book Parties
    VITAL climbing
    Gear Up

  • Mountain Biking
    Boating
    Indoor Climbing
    Swimming
    Snowboarding
    Book Parties
    VITAL climbing
    Gear Up
    Outdoor Climbing

  • Summer Migrant Programs
    Backpacking
    Mountain Biking
    Boating

  • Swimming
    Indoor Climbing
    Boating
    Mountain Biking
    Gear Up
    Book Parties

Biking

In partnership with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, we provide transportation, bikes, helmets, safety gear, instruction, food, and all things necessary for this free-of-cost program.

Climbing

Students learn basic climbing safety and techniques as they build confidence climbing. Outdoor climbers can connect to the landscape in ways that are otherwise impossible without ropes.

Swimming

Vamos a Nadar is Vamos’ most requested program by families. Participants visit the YMCA year-round for weekly swimming lessons with the goal being safety and confidence in the water.

Vamos al Mar

Vamos al mar (Let’s go to the sea) is a program done in partnership with the Bellingham Community Boating Center where students get to learn about small-watercraft education, safe recreation, and marine stewardship.

Backpacking

Vamos a las Montañas is Vamos’ camping and backpacking program. Vamos views this program as the culminating program for Vamos youth who have experienced outdoor opportunities closer to home.

Snowboarding

Vamos partners with the Mount Baker Ski Area to offer snowboard lessons to participants. Vamos students are taken to the mountain to take four snowboard lessons then they get to experience the mountain with the support of mentors.

Book Parties

Fiesta de libros are bilingual literacy clubs hosted at different schools and participant housing sites. This program was created to bring joy to reading through books and fun activities.

Summer migrant program

Children are enrolled based on where they live and what school they attend. They must reside or attend the locations at which we coordinate our book party programs. Priority goes to participants whose dominant language is Spanish.

gear up

 GEAR UP is a program (a college readiness program) that provides outdoor activities and academic mentorships to students at Burlington-Edison High School.