In the summer of 2004, Blaine Middle School was awarded a five-year 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia. Entitled Safe Shores, the program is comprised of a range of activities that support youth and families. An exciting component of the grant is the outdoor adventure program entitled Rocks and Water.

Rocks and Water is a year-round outdoor adventure program that teaches real world skills through real adventure. It exposes youth to the full range of experiences available in our Pacific Northwest. Classes in canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and field repair, snowshoeing, fossil hunting and more, teach youth real-world skills in a real-world context. Students also learn to work as a team.

Rocks and Water would not be possible without strong partnership with the Bellingham YMCA. Their expertise is invaluable to the program..