free entry
for fourth graders and their families at 54 amazing California state parks
Find out how to get your ADVENTURE PASS
California Outdoor Recreation Foundation at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
Find out how to get your ADVENTURE PASS
California Outdoor Recreation Foundation at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
Visitors from San Mateo County Libraries exploring Samuel P. Taylor State Park
You (a fourth grader from California attending a public school), your family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends (everyone in your car) can enjoy all sorts of adventures at 54 state parks during your whole fourth grade year—and the following summer, too.
Acta Non Verba at Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project (ANV) serves youth in East Oakland, a low-income densely populated area suffering from high crime rates, urban blight, and pollution. ANV’s Go Fourth and Explore! program will provide the opportunity for fourth graders and their families to visit three Bay Area state parks. Participants will enjoy each park’s unique characteristics and geographical terrain. At Angel Island State Park, youth will explore and work together to complete the Angel Island Jr Ranger Activity book. At Jack London State Historic Park, participants will utilize the State Park Adventurer AR App in conjunction with their “Leadership Packet” to learn about the park’s historical significance. The final trip will be to Samuel P. Taylor State Park, where families will spend a day taking guided nature walks, picnicking, and chatting with a park ranger. Families will also take pictures with a photographer and receive commemorative framed photos.
Library Explorers at Our State Parks is an interactive, STEAM-based summer learning program that promotes mental wellness, discusses EDI topics, and explores STEAM. The goal is to ignite growth and provide transformative experiences to fourth graders and their families, especially focusing on the low-income residents of North Fair Oaks, East Palo Alto, and Half Moon Bay/Pescadero. In addition, this program will continue to expand the summer learning program “Library Explorers”, a theme launched in 2021 as a library summer camp that addressed learning loss, social-emotional learning, as well as anxiety and depression in youth due to COVID-19. Participants will visit four State Parks that were chosen for their unique features and ability to touch on topics concerning mental health, EDI, and STEAM: Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, the California State Railroad Museum, and Jack London State Historic. Participants will also be offered excursions to local county parks for musical performances or library staff-led STEAM activities. Free transportation to the state parks will be provided to program participants. For county park visits, program participants will be offered gas cards or ride-share vouchers.
Parks California connects people to nature, helps parks become more climate resilient, and increases access for everyone. Your donation to Parks California supports programs for 280 parks, across 1.6 million acres, including one quarter of California’s coastline.
Please make a donation today!