The Escondido Explorer Program educational objectives are centered on fostering a deep understanding of environmental concerns within our local communities and equipping participants with practical solutions to address them. To accomplish this, we have devised a comprehensive program that encompasses both area trips and home-based activities. During our area trips, we aim to provide participants with firsthand experiences that shed light on environmental issues and solutions. These excursions include visiting to conservation areas in the park, where we delve into the ongoing preservation efforts and gain insight into the strategies and challenges involved. Participants will engage in water quality testing thoroughly the watershed, gaining a profound understanding of the importance of water quality for ecosystems and the well-being of our communities.

The area trips also include explorations of the diverse habitats within the San Dieguito watershed, from the rivers source on Volcan Mountain in Julian to the beach in Del Mar and the 52 miles in between. Participants are guided through these diverse environments, providing invaluable insights into the local flora and fauna, and highlighting the crucial role of biodiversity in sustaining our ecosystems. At the home base activities at the Escondido Library, the participants have access to a wealth of resources and opportunities. We will provide information about internships and career prospects in fields related to environmental conservation and sustainability. Seasoned professionals will share their experiences and insights, offering guidance to those looking to pursue careers in these domains. Participants also have the opportunity to actively engage in volunteer activities with local environmental organizations and projects. This hands-on involvement will enable them to contribute directly to community and environmental betterment.

The program also conducts workshops health and outdoor safety, emphasizing responsible outdoor recreation practices. These sessions will cover essential topics such as first aid, navigation, and leave-no-trace principles. To ensure that our program remains effective and aligned with our educational goals, we will conduct periodic assessments and gather feedback from participants. This feedback loop will help us continuously refine and improve our program to meet the evolving needs of our community. By combining immersive field area trips with enriching home-based activities and promoting active community engagement, our program is designed to not only educate our community and youth about environmental issues but also empower individuals to take meaningful action and create a positive impact in San Diego County.

This program has successfully fulfilled its educational goals under Assembly Bill No. 209, Chapter 675, by delivering outdoor environmental education focused on the San Dieguito watershed. Designed for underserved students in Escondido, CA, the program provided immersive full-day field trips to locations like Volcan Mountain, the San Diego Archaeological Center, Lake Hodges, and the San Dieguito Lagoon. Students explored the watershed’s ecological, historical, and cultural significance while learning about its connection to the ocean. The curriculum, aligned with California's Next Generation Science and History-Social Science Standards, integrated science, history, and cultural studies to inspire stewardship and sustainability. By partnering with governmental agencies and nonprofits, the program enriched its offerings while fostering community engagement. This initiative has empowered students with knowledge, mentorship, and tools to thrive as informed environmental stewards.

Our partnership with San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, San Diego Archeological Center, Volcan Mountain Foundation, Escondido Library, and Rady Children’s Hospital have achieved notable success through collaboration and adaptability, but it has also faced challenges related to scheduling. To address this, a valuable lesson learned is the importance of planning and scheduling well in advance. Our intention to schedule activities for 2024 and 2025 will be at least three months prior to the events is a proactive step to avoid conflicts and ensure better coordination among the partners. To enhance the effectiveness of your partnership, it's essential to have clear communication channels and expectations that will help prevent scheduling conflicts. We have been able to add new partners to the program such as, Friends of Sikes Adobe, Ilan Leal, and local field biologists that have helped filled in when other partners are not available. With lessons from 2023 we will continue to strengthen and increase effectiveness of our partnerships and programing.

We expanded our partnerships to enhance our programs, bringing in three new organizations as guest collaborators. These organizations have enriched our initiatives by connecting students with diverse missions and fostering transformative experiences. Kit Fox Outfitters specializes in outdoor safety education, blending nature enjoyment with essential skills. They provided guidance, and curriculum designed for youth, ensuring participants are prepared and informed. Queer Collective fosters safety, healing, and celebration within the LGBTQIA+ community through Indigenous methodologies, emphasizing biodiversity restoration and Indigenous leadership. Free Flight Learning Center educates on the care and conservation of birds, inspiring appreciation for these species while highlighting their ecological importance. These collaborations offer students invaluable experiences in safety, environmental stewardship, and cultural awareness, broadening their perspectives and connections.

Lessons learned with the SDRP Escondido Explorer's Program 2023 Run

Some Successful Methods in managing our program:

Breaking our large groups into smaller groups with engaging leaders.

Giving the participants jobs and other was to engage including many hands on experiences

Keeping the education interesting and consistent throughout the experience

Some Unforeseen Challenges and recommended solutions for our Program:

Recruiting Participants within our community homebase was challenging. We were able to connect with the school districts but the overall size of the district was more than our staff would be able to engage with. Our solution was to work one on one with charter schools within the area which are still larger than we initially planned for but with volunteer assistance we are able to successfully run programs for.

Entertaining our participants during the travel to and from locations was difficult. Due to the amount of children per vehicle and the length that we were driving, challenges arose with the participants getting along. Our solution going forward will be to plan the transportation aspect of the program carefully by incorporating engaging activities during the journey. This could include educational videos, interactive games, discussion topics, or even short stops at points of interest along the way.

Another unexpected challenge we faced was ensuring that the kids were adequately fed. Coordinating with the restaurants proved to be quite difficult, and it was challenging to anticipate the amount of snacks and drinks the kids would require. Our possible solutions to address this issue are to simplify lunches by providing more basic sandwiches or other children friendly foods with a variety of snack options, including a mix of healthy snacks, such as fruits and granola bars, along with some indulgent treats. This ensures that there is something for everyone and minimizes the chances of running out of food. On top of this we plan to seek input from parents/guardians prior to the event to get an idea of their children's preferences and dietary needs. This can help in estimating the quantities and types of snacks and drinks required.

This programs key strengths are the partnerships with nonprofit organizations, enriching content and offering diverse learning experiences. Expanding collaborations, especially with Indigenous and environmental groups, will further enhance the program. Alignment with NGSS and History-Social Science Standards has ensured activities meet educational benchmarks and support academic progress. Challenges included transportation logistics, particularly finding qualified Class B drivers. To address this, recruitment efforts will expand and partnerships with transportation providers will be explored. High summer temperatures required modifications of activities, the majority of future trips will occur in Spring 2025. Building a robust volunteer infrastructure with training and recognition will improve the stress on staff. Feedback through surveys and focus groups will guide continuous improvement, ensuring the program evolves as a model of impactful, inclusive environmental education.