A look back at 2025 Nature. Tending. Belonging. [Download our 2025 Annual Snapshot here.] This is WYP’s 27th year. 1,401 young people spent an average of 65 hours outside with caring mentors — 74% of them on scholarships. Here is what that looked like, in three words. Nature. At a creek in Santa Barbara’s front
Big Blue Bridge Spring Break Swim Camp 2026 March 30 – April 3 | Santa Barbara High School Swimming is a life skill. It’s also a life-saving skill. And right now, too many kids in our community don’t have access to either. DonateRegisterVolunteer Nature, Swim Confidence & Community This spring break (March 30–April 3, 2026),
A Win for Equitable Park Access NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project Receive Nearly $400,000 through California Natural Resources Agency Grant Read the article in The Santa Barbara Independent In a significant stride toward fostering equitable access to parks and nature, NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project have been awarded grants totaling nearly $400,000 through the California
Could bad news drive good change? Test Scores & Mental Health On October 24th the LA Times delivered the news that, as measured by the 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessment System, 2 in 3 students don’t meet California Department of Education’s math standards and more than half did not meet the English standards. [1] Nearly a
WYP Welcomes New Board Members Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), the leading nature connection organization in Santa Barbara County, is proud to announce the addition of Devon Azzam and Teresa Romero as Board Trustees. With the addition of these two respected leaders, WYP is responding to our community’s increasing recognition that all children need nature. Their
Smarter, Happier, Healthier: Connecting with Your Inner Child By: Julia Barrera, WYP Intern It was a cool Wednesday afternoon and the campus of UCSB was filled with golden light as the sun gave way to dusk. My white Filas crunched on the gravel path along the lagoon behind the university center. It was my first
Thank you, Dr. Burke-Harris Dear Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, Since Wilderness Youth Project began back in 1999, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of connecting children with experiences that support health and happiness. Over the years, we’ve found many other community members and leaders who worked tirelessly to make sure that kids get what they need. When
1% for the Planet / 1% Para el Planeta Wilderness Youth Project is honored to be the beneficiary of a wide range of 1% for the Planet member companies. Our partnership with 1% for the Planet is intended to advance our impact as well as involve more businesses and individuals in the environmental movement.
The Giving List: The Stress Busters Wilderness Youth Project is thrilled to announce our inclusion in the The Giving List Santa Barbara and the matching challenge of $5,000 that has been generously offered to us by the Natalie Orfalea Foundation that will match every gift that comes in through this campaign. Santa Barbara is home
Our Vision of the Outdoor Equity Program Collaborative Do you remember the Instagram Live with Monique Limón back in July and our blog post on Outdoor Equity where we were looking for community input in August and September? If not, take a moment to look back before you continue! Since then, we have continued to make
Our Vision of the Outdoor Equity Program Collaborative Read More »
