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Parent Resources

Feel free to call our office (805-964-8096) or speak directly with your lead counselor to learn more about what to expect on program.

Preparing Your Child for Program

  • 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 the pack  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.

Participant Waiver

We require a signed waiver for all participants. You can view our waiver here.

Meet our Staff

Our staff are passionate about the natural world and many have years of experience working with kids. All staff are at least CPR/first aid certified, most have Wilderness First Aid and some have Wilderness First Responder (from National Outdoor Leadership School). We fingerprint all our staff and volunteers.  For more information on our staff please check out our Staff page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check our our FAQ page for lots of answers to commonly asked questions.

Poison Oak Information & Remedies

We emphasize awareness of our surroundings and learning about hazards while out in the field with participants.  Poison Oak is a hazard that can be best managed with careful attention out in the field AND after your child gets home.  More on Poison Oak remedies. 

Lost & Found

If you or your child lost something on our program, please contact our office and we’ll do our best to help track it down.  We do maintain a lost and found that goes to the thrift store about once every few months.

Program Activities (Our Core Routines)

Circle of Thanksgiving
 Sharing words of thanksgiving for what we have and appreciation for others
Awareness Games
 Scout skills, blindfolded drum stalk, camouflage, and more
Wandering
 Outdoor exploring of the many magical things in nature
Storytelling
 Telling our stories with words, journaling, acting
Art of questioning
 The answer always leads to more questions…
Sit Spot
 Knowledge of place by observation and experience
Primitive skills
 Learn fire by friction, cordage, tracking, archery and more while building relationships with materials you use


Testimonials

  • "He voluntarily went on a night hike without either of us. He often approached the counselors to ask for what he needed without coaching or coaxing. He climbed rocks fearlessly and swam in a river with us for the first time. He spoke at the circle and participated in almost every activity. He went for hikes without us, played with the counselors, and other children, and shared his knowledge and curiosity with them as well. He laughed a great deal. The program is phenomenal!"

    Mother of an introverted child

  • "...he not only had the time of his life, but he experienced so many new wonderful things, and learned so much more about nature and indigenous cultures. Something else seems to have "affected" him (don't know another word to use) - he absorbed values that are inherent in such good people as yourselves, and that, as you know, is priceless.

    Mother of a Teenager

  • "The outstanding staff at the Wilderness Youth Project have been able to connect with our students and provide meaningful learning experiences. The Wilderness Youth Project is a very important part of our program here at La Cuesta. Our students look forward to meeting with them every week. It is my personal opinion that this program should be a part of the regular curriculum at every high school.

    High School Teacher

  • "...one young boy, seen at CALM because of abuse, reported that he had had a wonderful time at the Project. When this statement was explored by his therapist, it became clear that this isolated and depressed child had been able to form ties with peers, get along in a group, and actually enjoy himself. This is the best possible outcome we could have ever hoped for. Thank you for the work you do."

    CALM - Child Abuse Listening & Mediation

  • "In my entire life, I have never seen such dedication, kindness, and unconditional love from these human beings [Wilderness Youth Project Staff]. My son has grown so much in the areas of responsibility, compassion, respect and discipline in these short weeks. This experience through the "WYP" program has been life-changing to say the least.

    Parents of a 6 year-old

  • "He came back glowing and for the next several days told us some of his experiences... he said he never even thought of TV. He commented many times how the worries of life drop away and just him, the wind, and the water are THERE. It was good to be in a group that cares and listens and is REAL."

    Mother of a TV Watcher

Contact Us

Photo Gallery

  • FirePMJFun
  • BowArrow
  • GopherFishing
    Telling stories while fishing for gophers.
  • CircleOfFun
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  • Spiral at The Pines
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  • Brandon-Cat-Tail-Snow-Storm-Nov-08-003
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  • Making Fire
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Wilderness Youth Project, 5386 Hollister, Ste D, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Phone: (805) 964-8096 Fax: (805) 456-3838 Email: gro.pyw@ofni Tax Id: 77-0526117
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