Resources for parents and guardians

WYP mentors facilitate a wide-range of activities including awareness games, storytelling, learning about local places, plants and animals, nature crafts and skills like making wooden beads from Cottonwood trees, art with natural rock paint, and even friction fires. We take time at the beginning of each day for a gratitude circle and at closing time we reflect on our favorite part of the day.

Nearby fun nature destinations include local beaches, creeks, and open spaces like the Ellwood Bluffs and Lake Los Carneros and the San Marcos Preserve. We visit the Santa Ynez River, Lizard’s Mouth and Knapps Castle (on Camino Cielo). Check out our Places We Go section of our website for more specifics. We travel in 8-15 passenger vans. Getting to know our local place is one of our core values, so we often return to the same location to deepen our relationship to the plants, animals and landscapes. Several of our programs are place-based: they meet each week at the same place and do not use a van.

Each program begins with a gratitude circle. Then we get moving with activities and games. Once we are all warmed up, we pile in our 8 or 15- passenger vans for a local adventure. Each day has an element of inspiration, focused skill-building, wandering and exploring, celebration and storytelling. Places we go include local beaches, creeks, the Santa Ynez River, Lizard’s Mouth and the Pines on East Camino Cielo.

Our focus on learning is for youth to gain a love for the natural world , a deep curiosity, empathy for each other, mental and physical wellness, and confidence.

Participants learn the basic hazards of nature and how to stay safe with sun, water, poison oak, rattlesnakes, and bees. Children have the opportunity to learn how to track animals, identify plants and trees. We often work on fire by friction and build a shelter, listen for bird calls and explore their meaning. We follow the art of questioning and we value the process of discovery over providing simple answers. Fueled by observation, field guides and thoughtful questioning we take the journey of discovery together and grow as lifelong learners. Your child will gain valuable lessons in communication, teamwork, and empathy. We play through group games and explorations and we pause for moments of reflection with “ sit spots” and sensory awareness activities.

Yes, we do! We love playing in the outdoors when it’s raining. It’s a time full of new smells, colors and changing landscapes. However, if the rain is coming down so hard that it poses a threat to safe driving or to our safety while out on the land, then we will call families a few hours in advance to cancel. The call is usually made by 12 pm or 7:30 am for morning programs. You can choose to not send your child on program on a rainy day if you are concerned about safety or about your child being exposed to too much time in the wet and cold.

Our staff are trained professionals who are passionate about connecting with the natural world and child development. Many have years of experience working with kids. Staff interests range from wildlife tracking and awareness skills and medicinal plant uses to crafts and skills such as friction fire, bow making and basketry. All staff are CPR/first aid certified, many have Wilderness First Aid and some have Wilderness First Responder level certification. We fingerprint all our staff and volunteers. Staff who drive our 15 passenger vans hold a commercial B license and those driving our 8-passenger vans have regular driving record checks and receive internal training for safely driving vans with children. For more information on our staff please check out our team page.

Most of our programs have a 4:1 ratio of participants to mentors. This allows for us to meet the individual needs of all children and allow for exploration. For example, while one child may want to sketch the track of a coyote, another may want to wander up the creek.

Our staff are all certified with CPR and first aid. In addition, many staff have Wilderness First Aid and some have Wilderness First Responder certification. Our 4:1 child to staff ratio means we are able to manage risk effectively. Staff members are equipped with a full first aid kit and are aware of the nearest hospital and clinic in case of emergency. Parents are contacted immediately in the case of emergency and if they are unavailable the emergency contact provided during registration will be called. Your child’s safety is important to us and we take all necessary precautions to insure a high level of adventure and fun while maintaining a high level of safety and risk management.

We ask families to keep their child home if they are showing signs of sickness, especially if they have a fever and/or are constantly coughing and sneezing.  Once the fever has been controlled for over 24 hours without medication, the child is usually safe to return to camp. However, your child may still need to stay home if they are continuing to experience other symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a persistent cough.

• Make sure to sign your child IN and OUT each day with her/his counselor.
• Pack plenty of drinking water.  Backpacks should have padded shoulder straps and not be too large (your child will be carrying them most of the time).
• Pack multiple snacks and please limit sugar.
• Apply sun-block before leaving home and we will re-apply during the session, if necessary.
• Hats are great.
• Your child may come home wet and dirty.  If you have somewhere to go right after camp, consider bringing a change of clothes and a towel for the car ride home.

Staff Accreditation & Qualifications

At Wilderness Youth Project, we understand the importance of trust when it comes to your child's safety and well-being. That's why we take great pride in ensuring that our staff members are highly qualified and well-trained in areas critical to your child's care and our outdoor adventures. Here's an overview of the key qualifications and certifications our staff holds:

All Staff: Every one of our staff members is trained in basic first aid and CPR, with confidence to tend to minor injuries on the trail.

All Lead Staff:  Our lead staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid, giving them essential skills to respond to medical situations in outdoor environments. This ensures that everyone is prepared to handle any unexpected circumstances that may arise.

Lead Expedition Staff: All of our lead expedition staff are certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFR), ensuring that they have the necessary skills to handle medical emergencies in remote, wilderness settings. This training equips them with advanced knowledge of emergency medical techniques, first aid, and evacuation procedures.

Vehicle Safety & Transportation: The safety of your child during travel is a top priority. All staff who operate our vans are required to undergo biennial Smith driver training, a comprehensive course focused on defensive driving, safe vehicle operation, and best practices for transporting passengers. Additionally, our vans undergo annual inspections by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to ensure that they meet the highest safety standards.

We continuously strive to maintain the highest safety standards and provide peace of mind to parents. Our team is committed to ensuring that every experience is both safe and enriching for your child.