The Stress Busters

When California’s Surgeon General announced in January that the state was adding “access to nature” to its list of seven […more…]

Feeding Curiosity: Wilderness Youth Project Utilizes Nature to Educate

I wasn’t much of a hiker before the pandemic. But being cooped up inside for days and weeks on end, […more…]

Kinetic Joy: Youth in Nature

Children today spend as much as 90% of their lives indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.  The effects on […more…]

Wilderness Youth Project

Donate now!

Matching Challenge

Through December 31, 2022, the first $5,000 donated will be matched thanks to a generous challenge grant from the Natalie Orfalea Foundation.

Building Bridges

Wilderness Youth Project’s Bridge to Nature program is entirely reliant on donations from individuals and organizations. The nonprofit works with youth service agencies, shelters, housing groups and local schools who refer participants. Frequent partners are schools like Franklin Elementary, where 91% of students are Latinx and 85% of families are low-income. Over the next 12 months, Sánchez-Arreola anticipates record demand for the Bridge to Nature program and hopes donations match that increase. “We’re going to have the most parents, schools and community partners saying, ‘Hey, can you come take our kids? They need you,’” Sánchez-Arreola says. “And I really want to tell all of them yes.”

With your support, we go to where the vulnerable children are. Whether they’re at school, identified by teachers as students in need of extra attention, in a low-income housing space, attending programs at a partner youth-serving agency, or meeting us at a neighborhood park, your support provides the scholarships so the kids who need connection can get it.

Mission

The mission of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) is to foster confidence, health, and a life-long love of learning for young people and families through active outdoor experiences and mentoring.

wyp.org
(805) 964-8096
Co-Development Director: Michelle Howard

Begin to Build a Relationship

We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.

My son, Oscar, is full of life and now, thanks to Wilderness Youth Project, full of information about nature. He is constantly teaching me things I didn’t know about creatures. Our favorite time together is in the ocean. WYP helped my son grow into the 10 year old compassionate person he is today. It is an amazing program and we are so grateful to have it in Santa Barbara.
Laura Capps
Board Member,
Santa Barbara Unified School District

Key Supporters

Audacious Foundation and Jane & Paul Orfalea
Monica & Timothy Babich
Terry Cunningham & Randi Miller
Graham Duncan & Courtney Smith
Colleen & Ted Friedel
Adam Graham & Katie Szopa
Carrie Kappel & Carl Palmer
Bob & Betsy Manger
Jillian & Pete Muller
Ryan & Sarah Muzzy
Natalie Orfalea Foundation
Stacy & William Pulice
Allan Rogers & Marianne Sprague
Jean Rogers
Dr. Tony & Kyra Rogers
Michel Saint-Sulpice & Mary Staton
Amber & Ben Sprague
David & Rachael Stein
Dana White
Carlene & Scott Wilson