Educational goals achieved are as follows:

Educational goal #1: Instruction in arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that connects nature experiences, or environmental stewardship. The following activities contributed to educational goal #1: Wellness and sustainability series, Animals in Nature, Animals and Safety in Nature, Water Testing, Exercise in Nature, Nature Conservancy, The Living Desert, Mindfulness and Self Discovery series, Whale Watching, and Rock Climbing. The goal guided the development of the lesson plan for these trips as well as the activities incorporated into the trip. Trip leads incorporated STEAM into these activities via journaling, group discussion, drawing, and painting. Participants learned how to identify types of plants, animal habitats, and local wildlife based on scat and tracks.

Educational goal #2: Foster stewardship of the environment using curriculum pursuant to Public Resources Code, Division 24, Part 4: Statewide Environmental Education Teaching about animal conservation, how certain animal populations can affect others, and how animals are affected by the environment. Game-based instruction, hands on instruction, teacher-led. Additionally, guidance from Beetles Science and Teaching for Instructors will be used for: Focused explorations, Investigations, Assessment & Reflection. The following activities contributed to educational goal #2: Wellness and sustainability series, Careers in Nature, Animals and Safety in Nature, Water Testing, Exercise in Nature, Nature Conservancy, The Living Desert, Mindfulness and Self Discovery series (White Water Preserve, Painted Canyon), Whale Watching, and Joshua Tree Rock Climbing. The goal guided the development of the lesson plan for these trips as well as the activities incorporated into the trip. Trip leads incorporated hands-on learning via hiking and rock climbing and encouraged students to follow a leave no trace principle.

Educational goal #3: Curriculum that is aligned to the content standards for California public schools adopted by the State Board of Education, including, but not limited to, the Next Generation Science standards, or the California History-Social Science Standards. The following activities contributed to educational goal #3: Wellness and sustainability series and skill building/community gathering. The goal guided the development of the lesson plan for these garden workshops. Events incorporated STEAM into these activities via group discussion, drawing, and painting. Participants learned about green space cultivation and development specially to benefit their San Bernardino neighbors and family members.

The SHiNE Program addressed key educational objectives (E1, E2, E3) and Additional Learning Opportunities (A4) through: Healthy Lifestyle & Nutritional Habits (E1, A4): Camping 101 (12/3/23): Fostered physical activity and survival skills. Yoga in Nature (1/28/24): Promoted physical/mental well-being. Springtime Garden Brunch & Art (6/15/24): Combined healthy eating with creative outdoor activities. Active Participation & Conservation (E1, A4): Teddy Bear Clinic (2/15/24): Focused on conservation and service-learning. Pottery Painting (Theme: Animals in Transition) (9/28/24): Highlighted creativity and conservation. Community Outreach & Environmental Justice (E1, E2, E3, A4): Snakes & Lizards (3/12/24): Raised awareness of natural resources. Fruit Tree Workshop (3/16/24): Taught conservation and careers. Earth Day Fair (4/21/24): Combined outreach, conservation, and environmental justice. Impact:Promoted wellness, civic engagement, stewardship, career exploration, and service-learning.

In the first year from the grant award until December 1st, 2023, SHiNE has fostered strong partnerships with various organizations, each making significant contributions to the program’s achievements. SHiNE has maintained consistent communication with both partners outlined in the grant: Outdoor Outreach and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). Additionally, two new partnerships were established with the UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire Resource Conversation District (IERCD).

Four youth overnight trips have been facilitated by Outdoor Outreach and additional partnerships have already resulted in the successful execution of three garden events. Furthermore, our collaboration with SBCUSD has played a pivotal role in recruitment efforts, enabling us to expand our reach to youth and families throughout San Bernardino.

SHiNE plans to continue working with partners to maximize efforts and increase community impact. One notable lesson includes the importance of proactive communication and preparation. Setting a designated time for pre-event meetings has been a key practice, allowing us to review lesson plans, agendas, and logistics ahead of time. This ensures that everyone is on the same page on the day of the event, contributing to smoother execution and successful outcomes. Additionally, establishing clear expectations with partners regarding overnight trips has been vital. Regular communication throughout the year and addressing any changes or updates has allowed us to work more collaboratively and maintain transparency among stakeholders. These lessons learned emphasize the significance of strategic communication, preparation, and ongoing communication in order to maintain a successful partnership and maximize the impact of our programs.

Since the program's launch in September 2022, the San Bernardino Healthy in Nature Equity (SHiNE) Program has built strong partnerships with Outdoor Outreach (OO) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). The Institute for Community Partnerships (ICP) and OO collaborated on four overnight camping trips between December 2023 and November 2024, supported by an MOU. OO has served as a valuable mentor, offering guidance to enhance our outdoor programming. In addition to working with SBCUSD’s Family Engagement Office, SHiNE partnered with Loma Linda University’s Child Life Department for a Teddy Bear Clinic, TreePeople for a Fruit Tree Workshop, Wild Man Dan for a wildlife workshop, and LLU’s Earth & Biological Sciences Department and Master Gardeners for the SHiNE Earth Day Fair. These collaborations have bolstered recruitment, provided program support, and advanced SHiNE’s mission to create a welcoming space for youth and families to connect and build community.

In our journey of developing our outdoor program, we’ve discovered that continued trust and relationship building with families plays a pivotal role in the program’s success. To foster a sense of community, we ensure there is a familiar face present at every event. We’ve learned that effective communication is key, and therefore we started utilizing the platform SimpleTexting to keep our participants informed about upcoming events in both English and Spanish. This not only facilitates the dissemination of information but also provides a direct avenue for families to ask questions.

To boost participation, we’ve found success in sending out fun and appealing flyers as well as scheduling reminder emails and text messages. Prior to trips, preparation emails with packing lists help participants feel more confident and prepared. On the day of the event, having sign-in sheets ready streamlines the check-in process and allows us to keep accurate records. Pre-event meetings have proven to be very beneficial, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding agenda, logistics, and any questions event leads or partners may have.

Furthermore, we’ve learned that post-event feedback is crucial for improvement and have implemented surveys for both participants and event leads/support staff. Understanding our family’s concerns has made all the difference. From this feedback we found that many parents wanted to be more involved in the program and participate in trips with their children. We took these notes seriously and have adjusted programming accordingly to be even more family focused, and allow additional opportunities for parents to be involved in activities. Taking the time to interact with families and youth has allowed us to better understand the needs of our community and has significantly impacted the way we tailor our programs. Along with utilizing SimpleTexting, we always make sure a Spanish speaker is at every event in case someone needs a translator.

Lastly, an important lesson learned is that flexibility and planning go hand in hand. Developing an open mindset and learning to pivot is a skill we learned in year one. This could entail investing extra time in staff training to ensure everyone feels well prepared or having to present without a slide deck because the projector malfunctioned. These instances required us to problem-solve and learn from our mistakes, which in turn helped us overcome immediate challenges but also encouraged continuous improvement for future events.

Successful Methods Bilingual Event Flyers: Flyers with event details and sign-up links in both English and Spanish have streamlined registration and increased accessibility. Text Communication: Using SimpleTexting for event reminders and resource sharing has improved communication with families, allowing for quick responses in both in English and Spanish. Website: A centralized Linktree for event sign-ups, photos, and resources has improved accessibility for participants and staff. Event Itineraries: Detailed itineraries, reviewed with event leads before each trip ensure smooth collaboration. Challenges & Solutions Weather: We’re learning to anticipate weather patterns to reduce scheduling disruptions. Event Sign-Up Inconsistencies: To address drop-offs after sign-up, we’re also calling participants in addition to sending out confirmation texts. Lack of Winter Gear: We’re starting a gear closet to loan out necessary clothing and ensure all participants are properly equipped for trips.