Full Moon Paddle Outs: Connection, Community & Gratitude
This past Saturday we gathered under the full moon at the harbor with a dozen families. We invited our families who participate in some of our community programs at Carpinteria Children’s Project, Franklin Elementary, and Harding University Partnership for a special night paddling under the moonlight. For many, this was their first time kayaking.
There’s something timeless about being on the water under the glow of a full moon. It slows us down. It softens the edges. Sometimes it scares us. It reminds us of our connections- to the earth, to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves.
Wilderness Youth Project partners with local pre-schools, elementary schools, and community partners to offer free programming and community events through the Bridge to Nature program.
A Deeper Connection with the Natural World
At Wilderness Youth Project, our Full Moon Paddle Outs are intentional gatherings that bring community together in nature, offering space for reflection, joy, and belonging.
Under the moonlit sky in the Santa Barbara Harbor, participants paddle together in quiet awe (and sometimes squeals of delight). In a world that often asks us to rush, compete, and disconnect, these evenings offer something rare: stillness, presence, and collective wonder.
Why We Host Affinity Paddle Outs
We believe that affinity spaces are a rare opportunity to hold sacred space. We have experienced, firsthand, the kind of healing, connection, and freedom that is possible when we do so.
We host paddle outs for specific communities, like for our partners at Carpinteria Children’s Project or other local schools, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) mentors, and for local teens groups. This offering makes space to honor stories, identities, and contributions that deserve to be seen, held and celebrated.
These events are free to community partners as an offering of gratitude. This is a way to give back to those doing important work in our community and to create spaces that feel safe, joyful, and affirming.
Learn More
Interested in attending a future paddle out? Reach out to us at info@wyp.org.
How can I support this work? You can support by donating to provide these events free of cost for community partner organizations and affinity groups.