Outdoor Adventure Program
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BRONZE MEDALIST The Lakeside and Spring Valley Teen Centers are prime examples of how Parks and Recreation agencies make a positive difference in the lives of youth. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, through community collaboration, operates the programming at the teen centers. Each center provides positive recreation alternatives and a safe environment for youth ages 10-17. The youth are at-risk of being involved in unhealthy behaviors such as gang involvement, juvenile delinquency, and drug use, which are prevalent in these communities. The program targeted youth participants of the teen centers and encompasses a variety of free outdoor activities for youth including camping, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, and mountain biking excursions. The program provides first time outdoor experiences for many of these underserved youth and gives them an introduction to a life-long appreciation of the outdoors. Programing is also proviced to residents of San Pasqual Academy. The Academy is a residential education campus that offers San Diego County foster teens a safe, stable, and caring home where they can learn academic, social, and life skills. The Academy is a unique public-private partnership between the County of San Diego, New Alternatives, Inc., charitable organizations, individual donors, and local businesses. Since July 2003, the Outdoor Adventure Program has served almost 1,000 youth over the course of 72 trips. By exposing young people to environmental concerns and the impact humans have on wilderness areas, the program has developed an awareness that will remain with them for a lifetime. The program is an investment in youth, in natural resources, and in the future. |
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