Wilderness Youth Project

The Season of Bloom is here! Take a wander and see if you can find any blossoms. What color? How does it smell? What other creatures are enjoying it as well? #natureconnection #SantaBarbaraSeasons

WYP is Hiring! Right now, we know we need to strengthen our team to support the growth we foresee in the future. All of these jobs are new and additional (nobody’s leaving). And so. (drumroll please), we are thrilled to announce the following job postings. All jobs are open until filled, and all are welcome to apply.... AND- we need your help! The best way for us to find a diverse group of applicants is for this to be a team effort. Please- take a moment to ask yourself- who do I know who could be a great fit for this job? And then share the job description with those who come to mind. -Business Manager -Associate Program Director -Program Staff -Family & Community Engagement Coordinator -Donor Relations Manager -Donor Services + Executive Assistant Read full descriptions for all positions: https://wyp.org/jobs/

Read about us in the Santa Barbara Independent! "Spending time in nature on a Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) program has been a much-needed bright spot for many Santa Barbara youth during the pandemic. WYP’s safe, outdoor environmental education programs are a welcome diversion for youth otherwise homebound with Zoom sessions. The programs are based on evidence that facilitated time in nature makes children smarter, healthier, and happier. Pre-pandemic, WYP served about 1,000 youth each year and with COVID, it operates at a somewhat reduced level." https://www.independent.com//wilderness-youth-project-get/

The first 50 people to make a donation to Wilderness Youth Project in 2021 will receive our brand new 2021 Seasonal Calendar in the mail! Santa Barbara lies in a region of the earth known as the subtropics. When we try to lay the traditional four seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall onto the weather we experience here, it doesn’t quite fit. Visitors are quick to claim that there are two seasons, but the closer you look, the more there are. WYP staff put their heads to...gether, and we made our own 2021 calendar tied to the seasons found in Santa Barbara. Each season has nature observations and suggestions on ways to engage with the natural world. Donate now at wyp.org/donate!

Find a feature about WYP on pages 182-183 of the Giving List, curated by the Montecito Journal! @montecitojournal #smarterhealthierhappier

Are you curious about Nature Journaling, but don't know where to start? John Muir Laws has partnered with the Children's Creativity Museum in San Francisco to provide 40, 5-15-minute videos on a range of nature journaling topics. See link below or in bio! https://johnmuirlaws.com/the-nature-journal-connection/

The Police Activities League after-school program made their own shoes using old bike tires! #reduce #reuse #recycle #smarter #healthier #happier

"I was walking out to my car late yesterday afternoon after way too many hours on zoom and saw the Adelante WYP group with Mario walking back from their time at the beach. It was just as the sun was starting to set and I too was heading to the beach to catch the last bit of sunset along with the low tide. They all looked so happy and full of life! It filled my heart with so much joy to know these kids are getting this incredible opportunity. Thank you! There is so much suffering in our community right now and these children feel the stress and fear in their families. You are giving them such a gift. I appreciate you!" Holly Gil, SBUSD Science Education and ELD Consultant

Watch Kristin teach you how to incorporate nature treasures into a weaving project. Link below. #naturetreasures #natureconnection https://wyp.org/resource-portal/activities/nature-weaving/

"We love that you're offering the WYP experience to Adelante kids. I also love that I can send my Spanish-dominant mom to comfortably do pick ups and drop offs. Both of my boys love WYP. Thank you for making sure that the outdoors are for everyone." -Adelante Charter School parent

Executive Director Dan Fontaine was a guest on the podcast Lead With Nature. Hear his thoughts on birds and nature connection below. https://podcasts.apple.com//episode-1-two-da/id1502900259

Running at sunset under swooping owls. Go outside tonight - do you hear any owls? #natureconnection #sunset #owls Photo Credit: WYP Staff Sarah Rebstock

Tonight! Visit @healing_justice_sb to get the webinar link for tonight's coalition-building meeting.

Turning School Inside Out: Virtual Film Screening on Saturday, September 19 at 3:30 pm PST!

Creating spaces where we feel safe and free has never felt so necessary to our health and survival. This is especially true for our BIPOC community who often face disproportionate access to places in nature due to racism, capitalism and colonization. With all the challenges and concerns that were present when coming together for a summer camp during these times, we had deep gratitude for moments of connection to the land and solidarity with one another. Fears were a big topi...c during our two weeks together and a bridge to many, many stories. Together we were able to create friendships, go through dark tunnels, craft gifts, process acorns, and challenge our bodies and minds away from technology and close to the earth. Wilderness Youth Project's work is to a place where we can build confidence and courage to understand our fears. Through this understanding we can create the spaces which help us grow while keeping us safe. Thank you for reading my reflection from our summer camp, Canela Creando espacios donde nos sentimos seguros y libres jamás se había sentido tan necesario para nuestra salud y supervivencia como ahora. Esto es especialmente cierto para la comunidad Negra, Indígena y de color quien con menudo se encuentra con menos acceso a los lugares en la naturaleza debido al racism, capitalismo, y colonización. Con todos los desafíos y preocupaciones que se produjeron cuando nos juntamos durante este tiempo, también hubo un profundo agradecimiento por los momentos de conexión con la tierra y solidaridad el uno con el otro. Los temores eran un gran tema durante nuestras dos semanas juntxs y un puente hacía muchos, muchos cuentos. Juntxs pudimos crear amistades, pasar por túneles oscuros, crear regalos, procesar bellotas, y desafiar nuestros cuerpos y mentes desde lejos de la tecnología y cerca de la tierra. Es nuestro trabajo hacer de Wilderness Youth Project un lugar donde podamos construir confianza y valor para entender nuestros miedos. A través de este entendimiento podemos crear un espacio, que nos ayudan a crecer y sentirnos segurxs. Muchas gracias por leer mi reflexión durante nuestro campamento de verano, Canela

Bay nuts are ripe and dropping from the Bay Laurel trees! It seems to be a banner year. Learn how to harvest and roast them from the link in our bio. #baynuts #wildfoods #foraging

Need a break from Zoom? Head outside to the closest nature you can find! Take a slow walk and listen to the birds. Look for the biggest leaf you can see. Just 10-20 minutes can improve short term memory and restore cognitive function. #natureconnection #smarterhealthierhappier

Where will you go on a full moon adventure tonight? Let the moon guide you on a journey. The full moon offers a lot of light so do your best to avoid using a flashlight or phone light while you are adventuring. Watch as the moon travels through the sky. From which direction did it rise? Where will it set? Where is the sun in relation to the moon rising and setting? Have fun and be playful! #natureconnection #fullmoonhike

"Usually I can't wait for the weekend... but now... in WYP I can't wait for the weekdays!" We are so thankful that WYP summer camp HAPPENED! A happy camper said this on a beach Friday, while watching bottlenose dolphins cavort offshore through the aquamarine Santa Barbara water.... #natureconnection #beach #optoutside #santabarbara See more

Only a few spots left! Teen girls Herons after school nature program. Tuesdays from 3-6 at Ellwood, grades 6-8. https://wyp.org/kids-school-year-2/

Fall Programs are Happening! https://wyp.org/kids-school-year-2/ We are grateful to share the big news that we will be running our school year nature connection programs in person. Time outdoors will help our community's children thrive in this difficult time! ... Check our website for more info about programs or to donate to make scholarships available!

As we continue following rules for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic we recognize that not all members of our communities have access to outdoor spaces or know what outdoor spaces are available to them (parks, hiking trails, national parks, etc.). Having access to outdoor spaces is critical because we have learned that spending some time outdoors is a coping practice and healthy for us. Accessing outdoor spaces is good for both mental health and reducing stress f...or ourselves, students, and our community. Join us and this week's panelists as we converse about the disparities and inequities in access that exist and to learn simple ways to connect with nature and maintain your well-being during this difficult time. A medida que continuamos siguiendo las reglas de distanciamiento social durante la pandemia de COVID-19, reconocemos que no todos los miembros de nuestras comunidades tienen acceso a espacios al aire libre o saben que espacios al aire libre estan disponibles para ellos (parques, senderos para caminatas, parques nacionales, etc.).Tener acceso a espacios al aire libre es fundamental porque hemos aprendido que pasar algun tiempo al aire libre es una practica de afrontamiento y saludable para nosotros. Acceder a espacios al aire libre es bueno para la salud mental como para reducir el estres para nosotros, los estudiantes y nuestra comunidad. Unase a nosotros y a los panelistas de esta semana mientras conversamos sobre las disparidades e inequidades en el acceso que existen y para aprender formas simples de conectarse con la naturaleza y mantener su bienestar durante este momento dificil.

more important now than ever! join us tomorrow