TranslateOutreach Programs
Being outdoors promotes healthy bodies, minds and communities. At Sonoma County Regional Parks, we deliver these essential benefits through community engagement programs and outreach provided within a framework of equity, diversity, inclusion and cultural sensitivity. Many of these programs are supported by the Sonoma County Parks Foundation.
Families
Caminitos Al Parque introduces low-income, Spanish-speaking families to the wonders of nature through a hands-on educational park experience that promotes literacy and nutrition. The program is in collaboration with Community Action Partnership's Pasitos playgroups.
Vamos a Nadar, established to promote water safety and prevent drownings, provides free swim lessons for children and bilingual water safety instruction for parents.
At Sonoma County Regional Library branches, families can check out Regional Parks Discovery Packs. These backpacks include a parks map, trail itineraries, hiking tips and a pass to park at all 55-plus regional parks. Library patrons can also check out free day-use parking passes.
We offer “camperships” to help cover the cost of summer camps and after-school enrichment programs, thanks to the fundraising of the Sonoma County Parks Foundation.
Youth
YES! (Youth Exploring Sonoma) Parks was conceived as YES! Coast to introduce teens to the Sonoma Coast, and the program now offers YES! River, a summer program that connects youth to the county’s rivers and teaches kayaking, and YES! Mountain, which introduces youth to hiking and backpacking. The entire YES! Parks program has service and volunteer projects built into each program’s multi-month curriculum.
Regional Parks' Career Pathways Youth Crew is a program that helps 18- to 24-year-olds develop job skills under the stewardship of Regional Parks field staff. The program, with the support of community-based youth organizations, provides paid opportunities for youth who have experienced adversities that make career development more challenging.
Seniors
Senior Saunters is a low-impact hiking series designed to connect older adults with beautiful parks and each other. The Wild Words Book Club meets virtually once a month and brings folks safely together to experience the magic of nature through literature. Find the latest offerings at our activities calendar.
Staff also works with community partners serving older adults to develop custom offerings to meet the needs of their members.
Communities of color
We openly welcome organizations working with communities of color to partner with us to connect folks with the parks. We offer monthly programs in Spanish to ensure that our Latinx, Spanish-speaking community have opportunities to enjoy our parks.
The Latinx Family Campout introduces families to the wonders of camping through a low-stress weekend of fun and building new outdoor skills.
With the Nuestros Parques program, we work with partners to develop customized, health-focused outings, from hikes to kayaking to crabbing, all with the Spanish-speaking community.
Find the latest offerings at our activities calendar.
Getting in touch
Please contact us if you’d like more information about our outreach programs, would like to collaborate, want to request a program for your organization or request that we attend a community event.