OUTDOOR RECREATION

California PAL Outdoor Recreation program is dedicated to providing quality adventure programs to PAL youth who otherwise might not have access to them .  These outdoor activities allow PAL youth to get away from the distractions in a typical youth’s life and provides an ideal environment where they can realize their true potential. 

Through our outdoor recreation program PAL youth have the opportunity to hike, camp overnight, explore the wild, and learn survival skills. The relationships formed as a result of this outdoor experience both with their peers and with the staff who lead the trips facilitates personal growth.

California State Parks

California PAL and the California State Parks Department have enjoyed a beneficial and lasting collaboration that offers PAL youth opportunities to learn about and experience California’s vast natural resources and beauty. 

Our collaboration with California State Parks take kids from an urban or suburban setting and give them the experience of camping in a tent, hiking, kayaking or one of the many other activities at various state park locations. 

Outdoor Youth Connection

The Outdoor Youth Connection (OYC) program connects youth with their peers, their community, the great outdoors, and their own leadership potential.

What is it?

The California State Parks – Office of Community Involvement and the California State Parks Foundation collaboration provides ongoing opportunities for highly structured, powerful introductions to outdoor experiences for California’s most disadvantaged youth. This collaborative effort combiners resources to unlock the potential for young people to become catalysts for change in their communities. This is accomplished through the Outdoor Youth Connection   (OYC) which provides a comprehensive approach for reconnecting urban youth to the outdoors in a way that brings the benefits full circle back to their lives and communities.  At Outdoor Youth Connection, our main goal is to empower the youth to access the outdoors and unlock their leadership potential!

What are the Objectives?

A three-day leadership training for youth ages 13 to 17 in outdoor activities, team building and leadership skills while camping at a California State Park. The youth will then use the experience and skills learned to organize a minimum of 2 events for their peers: PLAN, PREPARE, & LEAD a recreational outing & a public service project.

FamCamp Program

FamCamp® is a California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation that began in 1994. It is the largest statewide program that introduces camping to underserved areas of our communities.

FamCamp Goals

• To introduce camping to community groups who would otherwise not have the opportunity to have an overnight outdoor recreation experience
• To strengthen human relations by teaching a new form of recreation
• To promote a safe, affordable recreation activity that involves all members of the community
• To encourage the use of State Parks by community based organizations and to help them meet their goals for the community

The FamCamp® program provides a trailer full of camping equipment and a campsite reserved at a State Park. The campground is usually located relatively close to an urban area and is available during the prime camping season. 10 of these FamCamp® trailers are located throughout California and each one accommodates up to 30 campers.

The trailer contains tents, sleeping bags, pads, stoves, lanterns, propane, and other essential items for camping. Participating groups need only bring food, personal gear, and a willingness to try out something different. The groups are responsible for the care of the equipment, proper storage after use, and washing the sleeping bag liners. If they wish, users can make a donation to the California State Parks Foundation to help with equipment maintenance and replacement.

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