Time Outdoors for Santa Barbara Kids: Double Your Impact Before December 31
Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and free - especially kids like Theo.
Could I tell you about Theo? He's a Santa Barbara kid who I think you'd really like.
Theo is eight years old. He loves climbing trees, drawing superheroes, and making up animal stories with his little sister. But behind his shy smile, Theo carries more stress and anxiety than any kid his age should ever have to.
Some mornings, Theo wakes up not to cartoons or cereal, but to quiet whispers between his parents who are worried about rent, about where the next meal will come from, or worse, living with the constant fear that a loved one could be taken away. Theo deeply knows what fear feels like in his body, even if no one says the words out loud.
He tries to be brave. At school, he keeps his head down. At home, he offers to share his food with his sister, even when there isn’t much. But the fear of being separated from his loved ones lives close, and it’s heavy.
Theo really needs a place to feel safe, to feel free, to be a kid again. No sirens. No locked doors.
You can make that possible for Theo and other kids. When you donate to Wilderness Youth Project, you don’t just give kids like Theo a chance to play. You offer healing, hope, and a space to remember what childhood is supposed to feel like. You help kids like Theo find the confidence to stand tall on the rocks at Lizard’s Mouth and shout to the world, “I feel alive!”
Right now, we’re facing a gap in funding at year-end. Without your help, we may have to turn kids like Theo away. Now would be the worst time to do that. I'm sure you agree.
You can help raise the last $232,873 needed to fully fund the 2025-2026 programs. With your support, we can work together to raise the necessary funds by December 31 to ensure that we can continue meeting the needs of our community and offering our vital nature-based programs. Your support is crucial, and we are counting on you to help us meet this urgent need.
Exciting News: Matching Funds Now Available!
Just as we were preparing this update, something wonderful happened - a longtime local WYP family stepped forward with a $75,000 matching gift!
That means every dollar you give by December 31 will be doubled to help local kids get outside, build confidence, and find connection in nature.
Your $50 gift becomes $100. Your $250 becomes $500. Together, we can make every dollar count and maximize this incredible match - up to $75,000!
Why Your Support Matters Right Now
We’re still facing a year-end funding gap of $232,873 to fully support our 2025–2026 programs. Without your help, we may have to turn kids like Theo away - and this would be the worst possible time to do that.
Right now, more children than ever are struggling with anxiety, disconnection, and stress. Our community’s kids are facing a mental health crisis.
Your support ensures that every child, no matter their family’s income, can experience the safety, belonging, and joy that come from mentored time in nature.
And now, with the $75,000 match, your gift goes twice as far.
The Difference You Make
Your donations keep WYP programs running all year long - programs that help kids like:
- Emma, who struggles with severe anxiety. In nature, she laughs, plays, and climbs rocks she once thought impossible.
- Leo, who can’t sit still in class but comes alive when he’s splashing in waves or exploring with his WYP mentor.
- Mia, who once felt left out but found belonging while building a driftwood hideout with her classmates at Tajiguas Beach.
These transformations don’t happen by accident. They happen because of you.
What Your Gift Does
When you give to Wilderness Youth Project, here’s what your donation makes possible:
- Year-round connection to nature: Your support ensures kids explore outdoors with trusted mentors in every season.
- Scholarships for 70% of participants: You make sure financial barriers never stand between a child and time in nature.
- Safe, supported adventures: You help fund our trained mentors, vans, and gear — the essentials that make these experiences possible.
- Agility to respond to community needs: Your flexible support allows WYP to say “yes” when families, schools, or partners reach out for help.
- A movement for future generations: Your giving plants roots that will support resilient, caring, nature-connected youth for years to come.
Help Close the Gap - and Double Your Impact
We need to raise $232,873 by December 31 to keep these life-changing programs going. Thanks to the $75,000 matching challenge, your gift will now go twice as far.
Your gift today ensures that local children can thrive — outdoors, connected, and supported.
Because of you, kids will feel safe.
Because of you, they will feel connected.
Because of you, they will thrive.
Make Your Gift Today
Donate Now to help Santa Barbara kids access life-changing time in nature.
Donate by December 31 to double your impact up to $75,000 — and make sure every child can experience the freedom and healing of time outdoors.
Together, let’s make sure no child has to be turned away from the power of nature.
With gratitude,
Dan Fontaine
Executive Director, Wilderness Youth Project
P.S. Please make your donation before December 31 to help us meet our $232,873 goal and unlock the full $75,000 matching gift. Every dollar you give will be doubled to help Santa Barbara kids like Theo, Emma, Leo, and Mia keep exploring, healing, and growing outdoors.
You can support us in many ways...
- CREDIT CARD: Give online today
- CHECK: Mail a check to Wilderness Youth Project at 2040 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 224, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
- INVITE OTHERS: Share this blog with your loved ones and encourage others to give
- BE SOCIAL: Like us on Instagram & Facebook and share our message with your circle
- TRANSFER STOCKS: Gift stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
We can’t do it without you!
Your support allows us to continue to give out scholarships and fund community programs. We have faith that you and our community will come forward to make sure we can keep building wellness, curiosity, and connection.