Waterside Workshops’ Adventures Program creates meaningful experiences for city-dwelling youth to spend time in the natural world developing a lifelong connection with nature. Waterside Adventures promotes environmental justice by increasing opportunities for young people in the San Francisco Bay Area to experience nature through biking, boating, and camping.
Our staff instructors provide lessons and experiential skill-building activities centered on conservation and Leave No Trace practices, helping to empower youth participants’ self-esteem. Staff instructors employ ‘the learning zone’ method which offers a supportive but challenging environment for participants to direct their own learning at their own pace in a beautiful place.
Based on feedback and requests from participants, our most frequent outdoor activities include paddling, sailing, biking, hiking, and camping, and we also bring youth on beach and snow trips, as weather permits. We provide transportation, food, supplies, and outdoor equipment at no cost, which allows youth to access and experience the outdoors without obstacle.
Gear Donations
To support our youth outdoor trips, Waterside Workshops accepts donations of good condition and operable outdoor equipment and clothing. We are currently in need of the following items:
- Walkie talkies
- Dishwashing station
- XXL clothing of all types
- Sleeping mats
- Waterproof totes or bags
- Fleece layers
- Hammock
- River floating innertubes
- Backpacking stoves
- Water filtration system
- Hiking boots (in good condition)
- Headlamps
- Base layers
- Water shoes
- Wetsuits
- Fishing poles
- Stickers and labeling equipment