3. Subject: Report on the Housing Authority`s Campership Program

A special Thank You to
Housing Authority Commissioners
Housing Authority Management
National Parks Staff
State Parks Staff
Nature Corps Staff
Housing Authority of the
City of Santa Barbara
2013
Nature Corps
Report
Growing Leadership
and Talent
Nature Corps has four components to its program:
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

Volunteering with the National Parks Service or California State
Parks
Environmental and cultural education
Exploring career opportunities in the Parks
Engaging in recreational activities that lead to healthy lifestyles
During the camping trips, teens went on nature hikes
led by an educator or Park staff, learned about the local
indigenous cultures, helped restore portions of the
surrounding nature, participated in Ranger talks, and
recreational activities. Additionally, teens met with
Park rangers and learned about career opportunities in
the National Parks.
246 hours
of volunteering at Montaña
de Oro State Park, Morro Strand Dunes and Seqouia
National Park
18 out of 26
participants had never
been camping before, Nature Corps and HACSB giving
youth a new life experience.
What the Future Holds…
Many of our participants left the trip feeling more confident and
ready to make a difference in their community.
5
of our participants will be the first in their families to
graduate from high school!
5
participants are gearing up for college, including Santa
Barbara City College, Art Institute of California at San
Francisco, and the University of California at Berkeley.
Quotes from the campers:
“I think the changes that occurred over the past week here in Nature Corps
have strongly affected my perspective on how we all should help straighten
out our communities and keep everything clean and healthy
around.” (female, age 15)
“I have noticed that I have improved a small amount on having more
confidence. I also noticed that I let go of my past bullying
problems.” (female, age 13)
“I noticed that I can make a change in the earth by recycling and re-using
things so they don’t go to waste. I noticed about myself that I actually
enjoyed doing these things.” (female, age 15)
“The whole experience was amazing and so much fun.” (male, age 17)
View of the sunset from Morro Rock in Seqouia National Park.
(photo courtesy of Angel Velazquez)
Stephanie Botello (15) and Juan Gomez (14) diligently move mulch
piles to protect the native plant restoration occurring at Montaña
De Oro State Park. (photo courtesy of Marcus Lopez)
Background
on our Youth
Before and after the trip, participants filled out surveys. Here are
some findings.
77%
of participants say their communication skills
improved.
73%
23
of participants say they built new or better
friendships.
participants are on Public Housing, representing
8
different Housing Authority property’s citywide.
4
participants are from families on the Family SelfSufficiency program.
The Nature Corps trips help address issues in teens life such as:
problems with the law, drugs, alcohol, anger, violence,
emotional stress, depression, hurting oneself, bullying, and selfesteem.
0
participants said they had gang related issues.
Pablo Macias (13) removing asphalt from the path leading up to
the General Sherman, the largest tree by volume in the world.
(photo courtesy of Karla Corrales)