Youth Programs
YES’s Youth Leadership Pathway programs engage youth over ten years, from childhood through young adulthood, from a week of Summer Camp to year-round participation in YES's outdoor and youth development programs.
Explorers
Explorers, ages 8 to 10, emerge in experiences that promote responsibility and hands-on, active learning in the natural environment. They engage in weekend programming that nurtures their leadership, grows their social-emotional skills and engages them in environmental education and critical thinking. The program includes field trips to museums and other learning centers as well as outdoor trips and after school workshops twice a month. In addition, they can also participate in YES’s Summer, Family, and Winter camps, local Nature Day Outings, and Camp Days.
For questions & more information, contact Gabriela Perez.
Rangers
Rangers, ages 11 to 13, participate in the above Explorer activities and are eligible to be part of YES’s Discovery Squad or the Richmond Rangers, a program co-led with East Bay Regional Parks. Both programs last 10-months and include environmental education and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, and camping, and/or backpacking. Youth learn about the natural environment and responsibility to the community, and focus on social-emotional development and outdoor skills.
For questions & more information, contact Carlos Guerrero.
“I gained a lot of knowledge about forests and animals and leg muscles.”
Camp-to-Community Leaders
C2C Leaders, ages 14 to 15, participate in rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. They train to lead at camp and in the community and are eligible to be part of the Youth Engagement Team, a 10-month Youth Participatory Action Research project. Through these experiences, they develop and pursue personal goals, become more confident in their voice, learn about local issues, and gain skills to make community improvements.
This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Park, Office of Grants and Local.
For questions & more information, contact Anna Kircher.
Camp-to-Community Fellows
C2C Fellows, ages 16-18, participate in more challenging outdoor experiences and gain outdoor skills. They practice their leadership at camp and in their communities, and can participate in a 10-month Coastal Conservation Corps (C3) that addresses environmental justice, climate change, and conservation science. Fellows are supported to identify and pursue goals, graduate high school, and access scholarships, internships, and job opportunities to successfully navigate young adulthood, and to be empowered leaders.
For questions & more information, contact Vencel Alfred.
This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Park, Office of Grants and Local.
Upcoming Youth Activities
To Qualify for YES Youth Programs
Youth must:
• Be between 8 and 18 years of age
• Live in Richmond or surrounding cities
• Qualify for free/reduced lunch at school
Looking to Enroll?
Learn more
See our youth programs brochure
Vea nuestro folleto del programa juvenil
“The trips I went on were fun-filled, with opportunities to learn... [they] helped me discover myself, and how I feel for the environment wouldn’t be the same without YES.” - YES teen