This innovative equity program offers transportation funding for State Park visits to low-income students, providing access to nature and learning.
By Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Jul. 30, 2024—Can you imagine living in California just a few miles from a forest or the coast, but never experiencing the majesty of a redwood grove or the power of the Pacific Ocean? This may sound far-fetched, yet this is a reality for thousands of children who live in Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
In the past, all children in public schools had the opportunity to explore the wonders of our natural environment and cultural resources by getting on a yellow school bus for an exciting field trip. However, funding shortages have eliminated many of these trips due to transportation costs.
While some schools still organize field trips, utilizing parents who have the time and cars to drive students, this is not an option for schools in less-affluent communities where parents may not have flexible jobs or available transportation.
The Kids2Parks program exists to remedy this problem. Thanks to strong support from donors, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, in partnership with California State Parks, launched the program nine years ago as an innovative equity program that covers the cost of renting buses. Kids2Parks has provided access to local state parks and their educational programming for children from schools that serve low-income communities.
“Harnessing our community’s generosity and love of our beautiful outdoor spaces enables kids to experience life-changing visits to our local parks and beaches,” Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley said. “Kids2Parks is one of the most rewarding aspects of Friends’ partnership with State Parks.”
Since the launch of Kids2Parks, more than 16,000 children have hopped on a bus and experienced the wonders of our beautiful mountains and ocean—many for the first time. Students visit one of eight state parks or beaches including Castle Rock, Castro Adobe, Half Moon Bay, Henry Cowell Redwoods, Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz Mission, Seacliff and Wilder Ranch.
Teachers say the Kids2Parks field trips have profoundly positive impacts on students.
“I’ve been a classroom teacher for over 20 years. I believe our trip was one of the best, if not the best field trip of my career,” said teacher Carla Miller after a field trip to Wilder Ranch State Park. “We can’t thank you enough for this special day. We left with smiles and giggles all the way back to Freedom Elementary School!!!”
Another teacher brought her 6th-grade class for a guided hike in Castle Rock State Park. She shared that the experience for the kids was “life-changing.” She said she watched her students, who were normally very quiet and did not like to participate in class discussions, race to keep up with the State Parks educator to ask questions about trees, leaves and animals. They excitedly talked with each other about all the things they were seeing.
Throughout the remainder of the school year, the kids talked about their ranger hike. They wrote letters of gratitude, shared stories in their school journals and continued to reflect on that special day in the forest.
That one day in Castle Rock sparked an interest in not only nature and hiking but in taking care of the environment and experiencing more than just their city block. According to the teacher, without programs like Kids2Parks, her students would not have been exposed to such a wonderful place in their own backyard, which inspired a huge growth in curiosity and learning.
Kids2Parks field trips are funded through donations — $10 sends one kid on a field trip.
Teachers at eligible Title 1 schools in Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties can apply for field trips for the 2024-25 school year from July 29 to Aug. 18.
Category:
