California

Download Our Brochure (pdf file)

A Community Investment

California offers truly unique opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature firsthand. Our Youth are surrounded by towering Redwoods, beautiful beaches, and remarkable mountain ranges among the abundant outdoor destinations in our state. Yet despite this marvelous landscape the outdoors remains out of reach for too many of our young people, especially those from underserved communities. And unfortunately, children are watching more television, playing more video games and eating more junk food than ever before. Never has there been a more critical time to promote and support the overwhelming positive effects of spending time in nature for our children.

Young people that participate in these activities develop leadership skills, gain respect for the natural world, live a healthier lifestyle, and improve academic achievement among many other benefits. Building Bridges to the Outdoors is committed to ensuring that local communities are empowered to connect children with nature. We work with a wide range of partners including educators, health organizations, community based groups, law enforcement officials and the faith based community. It is our long-term commitment to give every child in California a meaningful, positive outdoor experience.

The Challenge Today

Unfortunately, piecemeal funding is not enough to create promise for our underserved youth. Less than 15 percent of California students are participating in outdoor environmental education programs. In order to give all California youth this opportunity, we must work together to raise public awareness of the issue. Building Bridges to the Outdoors is working with elected officials and decision makers in Sacramento and across the state to ensure that together we "Leave No Child Inside."

Effects of Outdoor Environmental Education Programs for Children in California

Chris Taylor, former Sierra Club Director of Youth Services, Martin LeBlanc, National Youth Education Director, William Vanderberg, Lead Volunteer and Amit Rana, Youth Education Representative, attend a conference of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

• Children who attend an outdoor environmental education program raise their science scores 27%

• Children who participate in outdoor education programs show gains in self-esteem, problem solving and motivation to learn.

Read the Executive Summary (9 pages)
Read the Complete Report (51 pages)

Study Shows Benefits of Outdoor Education:
Outdoor School Final Report (200kb PDF file, 51 pages)

Partners:

• Children & Nature Network

• Aquatic Adventures
• Crenshaw High School Eco Club
• Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area
• Kids for the Bay
• O'Neill Sea Odyssey
• Outdoor Industry Foundation
• Outdoor Outreach
• St. John's Educational Thresholds Center
• Watershed Research and Training Center

Legislation: