Field Programs
Outdoor Outreach provides youth with positive, healthy alternatives to the negative influences that surround them. Experiences such as climbing a cliff, surfing a wave or snowboarding down a mountain present exhilarating challenges that youth can successfully meet with preparation, training and a desire to succeed. We incorporate elements of proven youth development models with outdoor activities to improve teens’ ability to thrive, despite their family and community challenges.
Outdoor Outreach activities foster academic achievement; skill- and competency-building; self-efficacy, self-worth, hopefulness; and connectedness to peers, caring adults, the community and the natural environment. These factors have been shown to promote healthy youth development across a spectrum of adolescents, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity.
Our field programs include rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding, river rafting, camping, snorkeling, and environmental stewardship projects. Trips are designed to provide a structured and safe experience that is both mentally and physically challenging and are organized, supervised and directed by Outdoor Outreach certified staff and volunteers. They are provided at no cost to the youth who participate. Each trip has at least a 3:1 youth to staff ratio, and we provide the transportation, equipment, food and clothing for the 10 to 15 youth involved. Trips range from one day outings to eight day excursions and take place at over 25 field locations throughout California. Field sites include Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, Cleveland National Forest, Mission Trails, Dixon Lake Recreational area, Moonlight Beach, Coronado Beach, San Onofre State Beach, Snow Valley Ski Area, Bear Mountain, Mammoth Mountain, San Jacinto, Mission Bay, Rancho Penasquitos and Lake Hodges.
Trips form the foundation of our various youth development programs, including our Adventure Clubs, Leadership and Partner programs.
Our Activities
Our core field activities include:
