Home Base Community Chats contribute to achieving Educational Goal #4, which focuses on providing additional learning opportunities for families to discuss concerns and learn community resources. Similarly, Home based Safe Routes to Parks activities address Educational Goal #1 by offering instruction in arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that is connected to nature experiences or environmental stewardship. During Safe Routes to Park activities families and students learned and practiced Nature journaling through scientific lenses.

Additionally, these Safe Routes to Park activities fulfill Educational Goal #4 by providing supplementary learning opportunities. Furthermore, Home base Trekking the Tuolumne Safely days fulfill multiple educational goals. They address Educational Goal #1 by integrating instruction in arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with nature experiences and environmental stewardship. During Trekking Days, students learned about the importance Salmon have on our ecosystems through art projects and interactive water monitoring activities.

Additionally, these Trekking days satisfy Educational Goal #2 by fostering stewardship of the environment. Moreover, they contribute to Educational Goal #4 by promoting service learning opportunities between schools and local communities, and by assessing the impact of the unified education strategy on pupil achievement and resource conservation. In summary, Natural Area field trips encompass all educational goals outlined in the question, which seeks to determine the achievements of the Outdoor Program based on the definition of education found in the Application Guide. The Natural Area field trips demonstrate how the program meets each educational goal and addresses the specified objectives.

In 2024, our project set out to host eight family nature day workshops at our pocket park (our home base), along with two family nature walks and two field trips to the CALM Zoo. This year, we successfully organized seven family nature days and added five mini family nature days. These included activities at our annual East Bakersfield Festival, as well as events like El Día de Los Niños and Art in the Park , in partnership with the local nonprofit Outsiders Nation Mobile Impact. This flexibility allowed us to expand programming and engage more families in meaningful ways. Our partnership with the Bopays & Girls Club and a retired Science Teacher provided monthly educational workshops at the pocket park.

In pursuit of our shared vision to provide positive inaugural outdoor experiences for multigenerational families, TRT embarked on collaborative journeys with esteemed partners, including the Stanislaus Office of Education (SCOE), San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), Foothill Horizons Outdoor School, Modesto City Schools, and, notably, the dedicated staff of California State Parks. Reflecting on the past grant year, it is clear that our endeavors have consistently aligned with the collective goals and objectives articulated in our initial grant proposal. Facilitated by the unwavering support of SCOE, our team honed the art of organizing activity materials in meticulously labeled boxes, facilitating the creation of "activities to go" – a seamless and efficient preparation process for events.

Collaboration with San Joaquin County Office of Education and Foothill Horizons proved invaluable in enriching our knowledge and skills of Outdoor Education. Under the guidance of SJCOE, our staff acquired novel techniques for teaching the significance of collecting biodiversity data through BioBlitz events tailored for school-aged children. SJCOE and Foothill Horizons also equipped our team with cutting-edge educational materials that will benefit our programs for years to come.

Engaging with Modesto City Schools and California State Parks was a unique and enlightening experience. This collaboration prompted us to master the art of communication with new staff and grasp new procedures, resulting in an enhanced experience for both staff and participants. Successfully concluding the first year of our program in sync with the academic calendar was a significant achievement, providing our participants with a bittersweet yet well-prepared transition into a summer filled with exploration. While our program concluded on a positive note, it navigated through several challenges before officially commencing year one in November 2022. The initial delay, shifting our start date from October to November, was attributed to our program's adaptation to Modesto City Schools Afterschool policies and procedures. In the second year, despite overcoming the initial learning curve, a subsequent delay occurred due to changes in MCS district-level staff and a rebranding of the afterschool program. These experiences taught us the importance of organization and preparedness in anticipating and adapting to unforeseen changes. Furthermore, we are adapting to the unpredictable nature of weather during the spring and winter months, reinforcing the need for flexibility in our programming approach.

Returning Partners: White Wolf Wellness Foundation : Offering families an immersive experience at Camp Okihi. CALM Zoo : This year’s collaboration in June yielded our largest turnout to date, showcasing the success of renewed efforts to engage families. Boys and Girls After-School Program : Partnership with the Boys and Girls After-School program provided a consistent flow of participants. 2. New Partnerships: Panorama Vista Preserve and Kern Nature Center at Hart Park : These partnerships expanded our outdoor educational offerings Local Outdoor Enthusiasts and Experts : The Little Hikers of Bakersfield (mom-led hiking group with children) Doug Lemmons (reptile specialist) Clagg’s Kayak Rentals Sierra Club Kern Youth2Leaders California Native Plant Society Kern Astronomical Society These collaborations brought expertise and passion to our Family Nature Walks.

• Plan out your programs calendar one year in advance to share with partners.
• Partner with an afterschool program and gain their support to post on their schools apps as promotion for the programing beginning.
• Weather can impact programming and require rescheduling dates to ensure participant safety and participation satisfaction.

Lessons Learned Activity Leader Selection: Our current Family Nature Day (FND) leader, though qualified, struggled to connect with younger children (ages 5-12), as their approach seemed better suited to older youth (ages 13+). This year’s experience highlighted the importance of selecting leaders who align with the developmental needs of the target age group. Resource Utilization: The FND leader brought a personal repository of supplies, which limited opportunities for collaborative planning and allocation of funds toward new materials. Plans for Improvement We plan to hire a younger, qualified leader who can better connect with younger children. By the end of next year, we plan to fully utilize the remaining funds to maximize the program’s effectiveness.