Compass 2 Campus to Host Tour Day at WWU for 5th Grade Students on Oct. 24

Compass 2 Campus (C2C), a mentoring program at Western Washington University, will host its annual Tour Day on Oct. 24. Over 700 5th graders from 11 Whatcom and Skagit County elementary schools will visit WWU and enjoy a day full of workshops, activities, and bonding with their C2C college student mentors. Tour Day is the annual kickoff event for fifth graders in the C2C mentoring program. Each year, over 400 college students from WWU and WCC mentor 5th-12th grade students at 38 sites across Whatcom and Skagit Counties. 

Tour Day’s goals for the 5th grade visitors include fostering a sense of belonging on a college campus and providing a variety of fun, interactive activities. In partnership with Western Libraries, Tour Day always includes a “Common Reads” event with a children’s book author. This year, Common Reads spotlights author Laurie Ann Thompson and her book Two Truths and a Lie. Workshops include presentations from the Chemistry Club, opportunities to learn new languages, and a touch tank experience from the WWU Shannon Point Marine Center.  

On Tour Day, 40 school buses will arrive between 9-10:15 a.m. and unload students in the 9G parking lot in front of the SMATE building. In addition to traffic disruptions and limited parking, the Western community should anticipate more congested walkways and hallways and increased noise volume from our young visitors.  

C2C was founded in 2009 with the mission of increasing access to higher education for students who have been historically excluded from higher education by providing 5th-12th grade students with trained college student mentors. Each year, over 400 college students from WWU and Whatcom Community College mentor 5th-12th grade students at 38 sites across Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Tour Day would not be possible without the contributions of hundreds of presenters and volunteers from across Western and the broader community. Tour Day is generously supported by Whole Foods, Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods, Walton Beverages, and Charlie’s Produce together with in-kind donations from Enrollment and Student Services.  

For more information, please contact Juliet Evans at juliet.evans@wwu.edu.