Bear Yuba Land Trust Youth Programs
Through exciting and educational immersion activities, we design our youth programs to promote a community of appreciation, learning and exploration of our natural environment.
The Bear Yuba Land Trust’s Youth Programs encourage educational experiences that inspire and invoke a passion towards a sustainable stewardship of the natural environment. We recognize the value and importance of educating our youth in the outdoor setting that provides a context of wonder, adventure and safety.
We also use the teachings of local indigenous cultures into our environmental education programs when possible and value that resource as integral to a sustainable environment.
Summer Camp
In June, at the Burton Homestead, we held one of our most successful and largest summer camps ever! With over 150 campers and Junior Stewards participating in three different sessions we created memories to last a lifetime. We concluded our Summer Camp sessions with a potluck celebration for all campers and their families!
Our first week long session was Native American Camp. Campers learned about local tribes and the natural world through cultural appreciation and exploration. We held “round robin learning stations” where campers participated in drumming, tracking, shelter building, games and mask making. Storytelling under Grandmother Oak, by our tribal members and grandparents were among the favorite.
During our second session, kids celebrated, explored and learned about the natural environment in Nature Camp. We used many “round robin teaching stations” which kept the campers engaged and excited! Campers learned to follow animal tracks, identify birdcalls, made shelters and played animal eco-games. We had many camp presenters visit with us including Tahoe National Forest Rangers and local science experts who inspired campers imaginations and enhanced their outdoors skills.
Our 3rd session was Kinder Camp, which gave younger kids the opportunity to have an exciting, safe, and educational summer camp experience. Inspired by our natural environment, campers sang lots of songs, made wild puppets, heard stories under Grandmother Oak and even had a visit from Woodsy the Owl who says ”give a hoot don’t pollute”!
Make sure to check here for upcoming programs held at Burton Homestead for all ages during the school year too!
Junior Stewards Program
We launched a great addition to our regular Summer Day Camp, The Junior Stewards Program. This is an opportunity for youth ages 13 to 17 to be provided with a volunteer opportunity to develop and enhance skills in leadership, team building, and outdoor education. We hope to expand this program to a yearlong opportunity that may include community work projects, youth development trainings and some fun technology and environmental projects. Look on our Bear Yuba Land Trust Calendar for upcoming events or to find out what’s next!
Grandparents Gifts Program
The Grandparents Gifts Program is new too and it provides an opportunity for our grandparents to volunteer their time and care with our youth programs. With the Gifts of Grandparents Program, we recognize the value that our grandparents bring to our community by inviting them to participate and contribute to our BYLT Youth Programs. This is a very special opportunity that allows for multi-generational fun and appreciation. Please call the BYLT office if you are interested in being a part of our Grandparents Gifts Program. We have openings for snack severs, storytellers, craft assistants and so much more!