The program leader told the children facts and information about the animal craft they would do for the day, such as birds, ladybugs, and penguins. After the lessons on the animals during the week, we ended with a trip to the zoo to see the animals. We had a special lesson on the Monarch Butterfly and how they are going extinct. The kids planted seeds for the plants that attract the butterflies. They also worked on a small butterfly garden. The zoo just opened a special exhibit for the butterflies and the youth were excited to see them. They learned how baking soda and cranberry juice react to one another to create invisible ink. They also collected empty toilet paper rolls to be later used as bird feeders and taught the importance of birds in the natural environment. When the bird feeder's activity was over, the children returned to where they were hung and discarded them properly, which led to a lesson on the importance of recycling appropriately. With the number of rolls collected, the children could make animals out of them, which were later taken home. The learning opportunities included instruction in nature experience and environmental stewardship, and we fostered stewardship of the environment using curriculum on the Monarch Butterfly

The Outdoor Program successfully met its educational objectives by engaging participants in hands-on learning experiences that aligned with the definition of education provided in the Application Guide. Through interactive activities at different locations, children gained knowledge about environmental responsibility, scientific principles, and sustainability.

Earth Ruth Park – Importance of Recycling and Litter-Free Spaces

At Earth Ruth Park, children learned about the significance of recycling and maintaining clean public spaces. They explored the impact of littering on the environment and were encouraged to take an active role in keeping their surroundings clean. This activity reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship and personal responsibility in preserving natural spaces.

Two local stores and community favorites donated directly to the program. Amigo's Market donated ice to keep the water provided to the children cool, which was highly generous since they generally sell out by 10 AM.

Pizza Pirate was the only donor donating pizza when kids walked to Parlier Heritage Park to enjoy the splash pad to end a hot day.

We partnered with Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, where the kids learned a lot about pesticides, the process of harvesting, the damage pests can cause, pruning, and how they use a drone to identify where crops are located. The children were also shown pests, allowed to catch non-harmful pests, and taught how to identify them. The trip ended with them entering a greenhouse and enjoying peaches freshly picked from their local crops.

Our CalFire Department taught the kids how to use the equipment they have on hand safely. They demonstrated how quickly they have to put on their gear to respond to a call and the protocol they must follow. They gave a tour of the firehouse and the new extension they were getting. We also partnered with the Chaffee Zoo, where the youth learned about animals.

The City of Parlier established a partnership with Parlier Schools and the Police Department to participate in the annual Red Ribbon Walk. As part of this initiative, students took a stand against drug use while actively contributing to their community by collecting litter along the route to help keep their city clean. We had 53 adults served and 112 youth served.

During the event, Recreational Specialist Jennifer and a teacher at a local elementary school, discussed opportunities to expand the cleanup effort into a broader community initiative. 

Additionally, the City of Parlier has partnered with the Parlier Unified School District to serve as the primary transportation provider for student field trips scheduled in 2025. This collaboration ensures that students have safe and reliable transportation for educational excursions, further strengthening the connection between the city and local schools in support of youth development and learning opportunities.

Our unforeseen challenge that needs to be shared with all applicants needs to be transportation. The transportation costs were far higher than expected. Fortunately, we were able to develop a partnership with PUSD who provided the transportation at a lower rate than any other method. We simply reached out to the school district and they were more agreeable than expected. We now have an agreement to continue using them, but without them we would not have been able to afford the cost of transport.

Successful Methods

Hands-on Learning Engages Participants – Activities such as creating bird feeders, experimenting with invisible ink, and observing the water cycle effectively captured children's interest. Hands-on projects made learning interactive and memorable.

Integrating Science with Everyday Materials – Using common household items like toilet paper rolls for crafts provided an easy and accessible way to teach sustainability. This method encouraged creative thinking and resourcefulness.

Unforeseen Challenges

Balancing Fun with Educational Goals – Some activities, while enjoyable, needed more structured guidance to fully align with educational objectives.

Recommended Solutions

Structured Learning Components – Provide clear learning objectives before each activity and incorporate guided discussions to reinforce key educational takeaways.

By applying these insights, future Outdoor Grant Programs can enhance engagement, and minimize challenges.