Nature teaches us resilience. ???? Even on rainy days, we step outside at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, knowing that the journey is just as rewarding—maybe even more so. There's something humbling about standing in the rain, breathing in the crisp air, and realizing that healing doesn’t always happen in predictable conditions. Recently, our middle school students experienced this firsthand, turning a rainy hike into an immersive geology lesson at the East Bay's only dormant volcano. As the skies cleared at the ridge, geology textbook concepts came vividly to life, demonstrating the powerful link between outdoor education and hands-on learning. Research shows that time outdoors improves mental clarity, boosts mood, and reduces stress—rain or shine. When we embrace nature in all its forms, we allow ourselves to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. At Oakland Goes Outdoors, we believe in the power of nature to heal, inspire, educate, and strengthen communities. East Bay Regional Park District Regional Parks Foundation #HealingThroughNature #MindfulLeadership #OutdoorWellness #NatureForMentalHealth #EcoWellness #TimeInNature #ResilientLiving #MindfulnessMatters #BayAreaOutdoors #WellnessThroughNature #LeadershipThroughNature #NatureIsHealing #OutdoorEducation #EastBayHikes #SustainableWellbeing
Oakland Goes Outdoors
民间和社会团体
Oakland，California 54 位关注者
Increasing opportunities for students in Oakland to regularly experience the outdoors.
关于我们
Research has shown that outdoor environmental experiences offer children a range of social-emotional, spiritual, and academic benefits. Children who spend time outdoors exhibit improved attentiveness, reduced school absenteeism, and better academic performance. Outdoor experiences at an early age also help develop lifelong environmental stewardship. The pre-teen years, when many kids start spending less time outdoors and more time on screens, provide a pivotal time to kindle this sense of responsibility. Unfortunately, not all children have equal access to these opportunities due to factors like accessibility and affordability. Oakland Goes Outdoors was created to systemically address this inequity, and ensure all Oakland students have access to the benefits of nature. With the goal of providing Oakland youth greater access to nature and substantive skills-building experiences in the outdoors, Oakland Goes Outdoors launched its pilot program in 2019. The program initially set out to provide all 6,700 Oakland public middle school students with direct experiences in nature, but with additional donor support, we hope to expand the program and serve all 34,000 students in the district, and to create a toolkit for other districts to create similar programs. With its district-wide focus, Oakland Goes Outdoors is one of the first of its kind in the nation. Oakland Goes Outdoors (OGO) is a collaboration between the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Middle School Network, OUSD Expanded Learning After-School Programs, Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT), and the Oakland Public Education Fund. Funding currently comes from the Riddell Family Fund at the San Francisco Foundation.
- 网站
-
www.oaklandgoesoutdoors.org
Oakland Goes Outdoors的外部链接
- 所属行业
- 民间和社会团体
- 规模
- 2-10 人
- 总部
- Oakland，California
- 类型
- 合营企业
- 创立
- 2018
- 领域
- outdoor education、environmental education、youth development、health & wellness、collective impact、equity和addressing systemic barriers
地点
-
主要
获取路线
US，California，Oakland
Oakland Goes Outdoors员工
动态
-
For many Oakland youth, their first experience of the great outdoors happens through beach days and camping trips at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area - from Baker Beach in the Presidio of San Francisco to Tennessee Valley in the Marin Headlands. These trips aren’t just fun—they foster resilience, teamwork, and environmental stewardship while providing a much-needed escape from daily challenges. Unfortunately, funding cuts to our national parks are making these experiences harder to access. At Oakland Goes Outdoors, we see firsthand how nature transforms lives—but without investment in our parks, opportunities for youth to learn, explore, and connect with nature will decrease tremendously. ?? Access to the outdoors should not be a privilege. Let’s work together to advocate for park funding and ensure future generations can experience the joy of camping under the stars, exploring coastal trails, and discovering the wonders of nature. Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Presidio Trust National Park Service #HealingThroughNature #OGOAdventures #ProtectOurParks #GoldenGateNRA #ConservationMatters #OutdoorLeadership #SustainableFuture #ParkPreservation #CampingForAll #NatureEquity #ClimateAction
-
-
Mental well-being starts with small moments of mindfulness—why not take them outdoors? ?? Studies show that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, improve focus, and boost creativity. Whether it’s a scenic walk in the park, having fun in the water, or simply stepping outside for a few minutes, nature offers a powerful reset. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of fresh air and movement. Prioritizing self-care, even in small ways, can lead to greater well-being and productivity. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break, breathe deep, and let nature do the rest. How do you de-stress in nature???? #OaklandGoesOutdoors #Mindfulness #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealthAwareness #OutdoorWellness #NatureHeals #EmployeeWellness #HealthyHabits #StressManagement #RechargeInNature #MindfulLeadership #ProductivityTips
-
-
-
-
-
+2
-
-
Spending time outdoors isn’t just an adventure—it’s a transformative learning experience. ?? When we bring our students to Yosemite, we see in real time how nature provides them with stress relief, renewed focus, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. These trips aren’t just about hiking; they are about building resilience, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, national parks are facing funding cuts, threatening outdoor education opportunities like these. If we want future generations to benefit from nature’s impact on well-being and learning, we must advocate for funding and accessibility. National Park Service #MentalHealth #OutdoorWellness #EducationMatters #ProtectOurParks #NatureForAll #FutureGenerations #Leadership #WellnessAtWork #ClimateAction #DiversityInTheOutdoors #CommunityImpact #SaveOurParks #Yosemite #NationalParks #PublicLands?#NatureLovers?
-
-
?? The Healing Powers of Nature: A Call for Equitable Access ?? Spending time in nature isn't just a luxury—it’s essential for mental and physical well-being. Research shows that quality time outdoors can reduce stress, lower heart rates, improve sleep, and enhance attention. Yet, not everyone has equal access to these benefits. At Oakland Goes Outdoors, we believe that everyone deserves opportunities to experience nature, whether in local parks, trails, or national outdoor spaces. As one educator shared, when students spend time outdoors, they become fuller, better-connected versions of themselves. Their well-being depends on it. ?? How can we, as educators, policymakers, and community leaders, work together to ensure outdoor access for all? Join us in making nature a priority! Share your thoughts, experiences, and ways we can collaborate to expand equitable access to the outdoors. ?? Let’s make an impact—because the benefits of nature should be for everyone! #OutdoorEquity #HealthAndNature #OaklandGoesOutdoors #Wellbeing #OutdoorsForAll #CommunityImpact
-
?? Celebrating Excellence in Outdoor Education! ?? We're thrilled to announce that Oakland Goes Outdoors' very own Zotunde Morton was honored with the inaugural Fire Tender Award at Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT)'s 25th Anniversary Gala earlier this month! ????? This award recognizes a community member who ignites a passion for the outdoors in others, nurturing and growing that spark through their unwavering dedication to getting youth, and the adults who support them, outside and engaged with nature. As Anya Diamond, BAWT's program director explained, a fire tender is someone who maintains and manages a fire, ensuring it stays lit, burns safely, and provides warmth and light. This award symbolizes the responsibility, stewardship, and knowledge-sharing essential to building community outdoors. In her moving ceremony remarks, fellow BAWT leader and OGO advisor Priscilla Parchia captured Zotunde's impact perfectly: "He has made an indelible impression on every participant who has had the honor to be trained by him. Not just because he does such an incredible job facilitating the content but also because he understands the true meaning of reciprocity and belonging. Having a conversation in nature with Zo reminds you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, with the exact right body to carry you and the most grateful of spirits." Zotunde's dedication to empowering Oakland's youth and adult leaders through inclusive, enriching outdoor experiences exemplifies the spirit of this award. We're incredibly fortunate to have him on the OGO team! ????? Please join us in congratulating Zotunde on this well-deserved recognition! ????#FireTenderAward #OutdoorEducation #Leadership #OaklandGoesOutdoors #BAWT #OGOCommunity #OutdoorLeaders
-
-
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating an incredible year of growth and getting into nature at Oakland Goes Outdoors! ?? ?? This year alone, we ended the spring 2024 school year having served nearly 6,000 Oakland students through 221 outdoors trips, launched our first summer program serving more than 1,650 youth, and this fall, already coordinated 100 adventures across our 24 school sites. We also launched a new website, celebrated our 5th anniversary and added some new faces to the team! ?? Check out our full 2024 year-end recap here: https://lnkd.in/ggtAUvKe Together, we are fostering a love for nature that enhances health, builds community, and encourages environmental stewardship. Here's to more adventures and connections in 2025!??????? #OaklandGoesOutdoors #OutdoorAccess #YouthInNature #EquityInNature #NatureForAll #OaklandYouth #GetOutside
-
?? Grateful for the Journey Outdoors! ?? https://lnkd.in/gP_UJ32w ?? In this season of gratitude, we’re excited to share a special thank you to everyone who makes Oakland Goes Outdoors (OGO) possible. This impactful program connects Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students with the transformative benefits of quality time in nature—fostering social-emotional growth, academic success, and lifelong environmental stewardship. ?? ?? Since 2018, OGO has created equitable opportunities for students, particularly from underserved communities, to explore outdoor spaces through culturally inclusive, skills-based experiences. From hiking in the redwoods to hands-on environmental science, these moments spark joy, curiosity, and connection. ??? As highlighted in this video, it takes a village. Whether it's OUSD educators, nonprofit partners like Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT), or generous donors, your contributions help break down barriers such as transportation, cost, and gear access—ensuring EVERY Oakland student can experience the outdoors. ?? Join us in advancing this mission! Together, we can inspire the next generation of leaders and environmental advocates. Visit https://lnkd.in/gmYfD8tH to learn how to get involved. #seasonofgratitude #OaklandGoesOutdoors #EquityInNature #OutdoorEducation #CommunityImpact #getoutdoors #diversifyoutdoors
-
We were thrilled to be able to participate and support the 10th anniversary celebration and convening of Blue Sky Funders Forum earlier this month. Our work is best done in community and collaboration, and it's always wonderful to share the mission and impact of Oakland Goes Outdoors with leaders who already understand the benefits of quality time spent outdoors and are invested in expanding access to outdoor spaces and activities. This recap captures much of the magic from the gathering! #BlueSkyFundersForum #10thAnniversary #RethinkOutdoors #CommunityCollaboration #OaklandGoesOutdoors #OutdoorEquity #NatureForAll #OutdoorAccess #GetOutside #CelebrateOutdoors #LeadersInNature #ExpandingAccess #NatureConnection #OutdoorEducation #TogetherOutdoors #MissionInAction
"How are we building belonging to land? How can we help heal the root causes of inequitable opportunities to meaningful outdoor experiences?" This powerful question, posed by our Executive Director Onika Abraham, guided day two of Blue Sky Funders Forum's 10th Anniversary Convening as we gathered at Temescal Beach House in Oakland to explore healing our relationships to nature. We were honored to hear from Corrina Gould, co-founder of Sogorea Te Land Trust who introduced us to the land's herstory and their work "rematriating" it. Led by urban Indigenous women, Sogorea Te' Land Trust is actively working to restore Indigenous people's rightful place in sacred relationship with their ancestral land. We were especially inspired by recent successes and wins, including the return of the West Berkeley Shellmound. john. a powell of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley then challenged us to reimagine what belonging means—not just inclusion, but true co-creation—especially in a world increasingly defined by "othering." His reflections on how bridging multiple stories, narratives, and identities can heal separations between people and nature were profound, leaving us with much to reexamine in our work and communities. We also explored how **biomimicry**—led by Toby Herzlich and Gina LaMotte—can inspire adaptive planning in our work. Nature doesn’t follow rigid, top-down plans, but instead learns, adapts, and thrives by self-organizing. This approach is informing Blue Sky’s 2025 strategic planning process, reminding us that like nature, we too can evolve by recognizing patterns, experimenting, and focusing our energy on what’s working. The day closed with experiences on the water that embodied our shared commitment to outdoor access and equity: -- Adriana Guerrero and the team at Salted Roots led a surf class in Alameda, where participants shared how the experience allowed them to let go and reclaim their connection to the ocean—an environment historically inaccessible to communities of color. ?? -- Meanwhile, Kaitlin Levenstrong, Oakland Goes Outdoors, and Sea Trek Kayak and SUP Center led a kayaking trip. The experience brought joy and a sense of calm, offering participants the opportunity to connect not only with nature but also with themselves and one another. What a remarkable community we've cultivated together! Day two left us energized, grounded, and more determined than ever to continue our journey of healing through our connections with and shared commitments to nature. ?? #BlueSkyFunders #RethinkOutside #Belonging #Biomimicry
-
-
-
-
-
+2
-
-
?? Proposition 4: $10B for California’s Climate Future This article outlines the general parameters of California’s Proposition 4 really clearly. https://lnkd.in/gZVXAWhw Prop 4 would authorize $10 billion to tackle urgent environmental issues such as water scarcity, wildfire prevention, extreme heat, and renewable energy. If passed, it would fund projects like clean drinking water, forest resilience, coastal restoration, and climate-smart agriculture. There is even funding to support ?outdoor recreation and public access to California’s State Parks system! ?? ?? While environmental advocates argue this funding is essential to meet ambitious climate goals, critics express concern over state debt. This pivotal decision will determine how California addresses growing climate challenges. If you live in CA, check out this article and continue to gather information so you can be informed in advance of the Nov 5 election! ?? #ClimateAction #Sustainability #California #Prop4 #getoutdoors #fundtheoutdoors #diversifyoutdoors #CAkidsinnature