Otters Den Nature School
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Amy Keiper-Gowan is the founding director of Otters Den Nature School. She has ten years of experience as a 3-5th grade teacher at Blaine Elementary and served three years as the Northwest Regional FieldSTEM Professional Development Coordinator for Pacific Education Institute, facilitating outdoor, field-based learning professional development for K-12 educators. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Education and loves to integrate environmental education, social-emotional learning, and inquiry-based science into her work with students. Her approach is grounded in student-driven and relationship-centered learning. When she’s not teaching outside, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with her family. Reach out to Amy anytime at amy@ottersden.org.
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the Earth before we ask them to save it.”
David Sobel.
Programs
2026
Fall Outdoor School
This after-school program gives children hands-on opportunities to explore, play, and learn in nature while building confidence, curiosity, and a love of nature. Through guided outdoor STEAM activities, students move from discovery to focused exploration, skill-building, and reflection—helping them better understand the natural world and their place in it.
Grades: 3rd-5th graders
Dates: September 15th- October 22nd
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Time: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:30-5pm and
Thursdays 12:20-5:00pm
Transportation: Pick-up is available at Cordata Elementary and limited drop-off available
Ratios: Staff to student ratios is at most 1: 8. Our maximum is 16 students for the fall program.
Location: Nature trail and outdoor space behind the buildings on 1530 E. Bakerview Road, 98226.
Photo: students hold a salamander found while digging traps in the mud for invasive bullfrogs. Spring outdoor school, 2026.
2027 (no longer accepting registrations for 2026)
Wind Technology Summer Camp
The Wind Energy Summer Camp introduces students to renewable energy through hands-on, project-based learning focused on wind power. Students explore how wind energy works by designing, building, and testing their own wind turbines, experimenting with blade shape, size, and materials to see how these factors affect energy production. Through inquiry, teamwork, and real-world engineering challenges, learners build an understanding of energy systems, problem-solving skills, and the importance of clean, sustainable power.
Grades: 4th-7th
Dates: TBD
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: $450/week
*Proceeds from summer camp tuition provide scholarships for the fall Outdoor School program to increase student access. No scholarships are currently available for summer camps.
2027 (no longer accepting registrations for 2026)
Ocean Technology Camp
The Ocean Technology camp engages students in place-based science learning grounded in both Western science and traditional ecological knowledge from Coast Salish communities. Students investigate the unique ecosystems of the Salish Sea and learn how scientists use technology to study the ocean. They apply this knowledge by designing, building, and testing their own remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) made of PVC pipes. Develops deeper understanding of ocean systems, human impacts, and stewardship while building critical thinking, creativity, and engineering skills.
Grades: 4th-7th
Dates: TBD
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: $450/week
*Proceeds from summer camp tuition fund scholarships for the fall Outdoor School program. No scholarships are available for summer camps.
OUR VISION
We believe all children in Whatcom County should have access to regular outdoor, field-based learning opportunities.
Outdoor learning is vital for children's holistic development, addressing both the modern reality of diminished nature exposure and the deep developmental benefits that time in nature provides. Richard Louv’s work, including Last Child in the Woods, highlights how disconnection from nature—what he calls “nature-deficit disorder”—is linked to increased stress, attention challenges, and reduced wellbeing, and conversely, that regular outdoor experiences support cognitive focus, emotional regulation, and creativity. Field-based learning has shown to increase student academic outcomes, engagement, cooperation, and social skills, while supporting physical health, reducing stress, and fostering lasting connections to the natural world.
Additionally, providing affordable after-school childcare for school-age students in Whatcom County is both a practical and ethical commitment, ensuring children have stable, nurturing environments while enabling caregivers to participate fully in the workforce and supporting a stronger local economy. providers, Childcare Aware reports that in Whatcom County, the median cost of care at a licensed center hovers around 26% of the area median income, depending on the age of the child. We aim to make your search for both after-school care or high quality outdoor learning affordable by offering Working Connections.
Making after-school outdoor learning accessible creates environments where children, families, and the community can thrive.
OUR VALUES
Community Engagement | Building partnerships with families, schools, and local organizations to strengthen community bonds.
Inclusivity and Diversity | Valuing diverse perspectives, cultures, and learning styles in all programming.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship | Teaching respect for natural resources and modeling eco-conscious practices.
Otters Den Nature School respectfully acknowledges that our Outdoor School takes place on the ancestral homelands of the Nooksack Indian Tribe, who have cared for these lands, waters, plants, and wildlife since time immemorial. We honor the enduring relationship the Nooksack people have with this place and recognize that their knowledge, stewardship, and cultural traditions continue to shape the ecosystems where we learn today. As educators, we are committed to fostering respect for the natural world while helping children understand that caring for the land also means honoring the people who have long been its stewards. We offer our gratitude to the Nooksack Indian Tribe and strive to approach this place with humility, respect, and responsible stewardship.
Otters Den Nature School does not discriminate in its employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or the delivery of programs or services, on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.