Outdoor Voices Club Take Road Trip to State Capitol and Bay Area
In May 2022, Outdoor Outreach had the unique opportunity to bring eight members of our Outdoor Voices Club to Northern California for a four-day road trip experience that ended in Sacramento as part of Park Advocacy Day, hosted by the California State Parks Foundation.
“Park Advocacy Day was such an impactful experience. I found out how important my voice is,” said Angela “Tiny” Herrera, Outdoor Outreach field instructor and program graduate. “I was truly impacted in such a way that I want to keep advocating about the outdoors for as long as I am given the chance.”
The trip’s focus was to reconnect with nature, expose the barriers people still face accessing the park system, and explore policy solutions. Youth advocates shared their direct experiences to help advance key policies like Assembly Bill 2975, which would create “community access agreements” between the state and nonprofits, allowing nonprofits to operate ongoing programs at state parks and beaches without having to go through a costly permitting process. And we had a BLAST along the way—here are some highlights!
Day 1
After an early—5am!—start to our travel day, we finally arrived in San Francisco. The group enjoyed lunch at the iconic Pier 39, then headed to Mt. Tamalpais State Park to set up camp. Thanks to California State Parks’ FamCamp program for making sure all the equipment we needed was ready and waiting for us at the campsite! After dinner, State Parks Deputy Director of External Affairs Sedrick Mitchell joined us around the campfire for a conversation about the similar challenges facing both of our communities—Southeast San Diego and the Central Valley—around lack of access to green spaces and recreational opportunities, and the different ways we can work together for a solution.
Day 2
The group was in high spirits as we embarked on our journey to visit Point Reyes National Seashore to enjoy the unique geography, history, and biodiversity of the national reserve. When foggy weather and high winds cut that adventure short, we made an impromptu visit to the famous Cypress Tree Tunnel, where we visited the historic KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station, a relic from a time when radio stations communicated to ships at sea. We ended our last night at camp with a hike under the lush canopy of towering pines near Muir Woods and a delicious dinner of “pizzadillas” (a quesadilla + pizza in one) by the campfire.
Day 3
We packed up camp and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to hit Pacifica State Beach for a day with City Surf Project, a nonprofit that advocates for equitable ocean access and uses surf instruction as a vehicle to improve the health and well being of Bay Area youth. Program manager Andrew Perry, co-founder Forrest Lowry, and surf instructor and program graduate Daine shared the challenges they face with beach access while running their free surf school—a familiar story to us at Outdoor Outreach, where we’ve experienced difficulties accessing state beaches due to inequitable and burdensome permitting requirements. But it was all high-fives and smiles when we got in the ocean and everyone in our group successfully caught a wave—even those of us who were a little timid to brave the cold waters of Pacifica!
Day 4
The big day finally arrived! This year’s Park Advocacy Day emphasized how Californians have relied on California state parks and outdoors spaces throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it’s more important than ever to protect and preserve these places–to rise up for parks.
At the California State Capitol, our youth advocates met with Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary of Access at the California Natural Resources Agency to share their personal stories of accessing state parks and learn about the state’s Outdoors For All initiative. We also met with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s staff, Senator John Laird, Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes, and Assemblymember Isaac Bryant. The day culminated in a “Rise Up for Parks Rally” where Outdoor Outreach program graduates Mindy and Tatiana spoke to the crowd about their personal passion behind the fight for park equity and the need to protect our green spaces.
Brave and authentic, Mindy gave us permission to share her story here:
“Good afternoon, everyone! My name is Mindy Phan. I am currently a community college student in San Diego. I am also a leadership program graduate and a Field Instructor at Outdoor Outreach. Today I am here to advocate for Assembly Bill(AB) 2975, which focuses on accessibility to state parks.
Since I was a little girl, I was surrounded by an environment where mental health was taboo. When I needed love, I was told “You are not enough.” I grew depressed believing my only way to escape was by ending it all. Then, I discovered an opportunity to participate on trips with Outdoor Outreach. Little did I know, I was just in the beginning of my growth and resiliency.
These past four days, I have been on a road trip with Outdoor Outreach. Yesterday, we partnered with City Surf Project to surf at Pacifica State Beach. At first, I expressed fear and intimidation that the ocean would suffocate me, making me small. Until an instructor inspired me with his encouragement and support. I found myself surfing and smiling chin to chin, where I stood tall after each fall. I felt connected, worthy, and seen. Moments like these motivate me to share my passion and fight for outdoor access. With AB2975, nonprofit organizations like Outdoor Outreach and City Surf Project will receive aid in permitting issues and will have the accessibility to connect our communities to life saving environments. So, let’s save our families, ourselves, and our youth! Rise up for parks!”
For many in our group, this was their first time visiting the state capitol and speaking with elected officials. With the support of our community, Outdoor Outreach will continue to offer training, experiences, and—yes—more road trips that empower youth with tools and confidence to advocate for the issues they care about and ensure that all Californians have equitable access to nature. Special thanks to California State Parks Foundation, State Parks’ FamCamp, Parks Now Coalition, and City Surf Project for their support in making this experience a reality.
If you’d like to get involved in advocacy work alongside Outdoor Outreach, please email Sonia Diaz at sonia.diaz@outdooroutreach.org.
Outdoor Outreach is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. Through our programs, we’re helping youth build resilience in the face of challenges, and confidence in their power to make a difference.