Our History
Growing Outdoor Education for All
Outdoor Education for All (OEFA) began in February 2013 as a working group in Butte County. Fueled by a shared belief that learning in nature is essential—not optional—we brought together a coalition of outdoor educators, classroom teachers, park and museum professionals, university students, and passionate community members.
Over the years, this grassroots effort has grown into a volunteer-powered network of over 150 people, all committed to one goal: creating equitable outdoor education opportunities for youth and communities across Northern California.
From Vision to Action
In 2020, with support from a $100,000 grant from the North Valley Community Foundation, OEFA launched Healing Trauma Through Nature (HTTN)—an initiative designed to support youth impacted by wildfire, displacement, and systemic inequity. Through this work, nature became not just a classroom, but a source of healing, resilience, and belonging.
Since the Camp Fire, HTTN has hosted over 250 outdoor field trips for youth across Butte County. These experiences help students reconnect with themselves, their peers, and the natural world—often for the first time since loss or trauma disrupted their sense of place.
As HTTN grew, OEFA formalized a partnership with the Butte County Office of Education to deliver field trip programming focused on social-emotional wellness, trauma-informed practices, and adventure-based learning. HTTN now serves K–12 students, offering nature-based experiences that prioritize healing and joy through outdoor exploration.
Meanwhile, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Prop 64 Youth Community Access Grant Program, administered by the California Natural Resources Agency, OEFA launched the Elements Youth Advisory Council (YAC). This youth-led leadership and mentorship initiative supports participants from age 12 through college graduation—bridging the gap between outdoor education and civic engagement.
The council was coordinated in its first year by Scott Amick, and is continued under Kelly Munson for years two and is currently in year three with the current funding cycle ending in March of 2026. Elements participants engage in monthly meetings, receive professional development, and have taken part in overnight retreats to the Gateway Mountain Center, as well as local hikes and day excursions in collaboration with:
Paradise Recreation and Park District
Chico Ecological Reserve
Forebay Aquatic Center
Local ecological and adventure educators
Butte College
California State University, Chico
Boys & Girls Club
Paradise High School Hiking Club
Elements has collaborated broadly with these institutions, but recently partnered specifically with the Paradise High Hiking Club to offer an overnight outdoor trip—a milestone in youth-led exploration and long-term stewardship.
Our Purpose Today
This is more than outdoor education. This is the dream realized: creating access for underrepresented and under-resourced youth on the Ridge, in Butte County, and throughout the North State.
But we’re not just about getting outside—we’re about building lasting relationships with the land. Our programs encourage youth to develop a lifelong connection to the ecosystems they live in, empowering the next generation of stewards, storytellers, and changemakers.
Looking Ahead
As OEFA continues to grow, we remain committed to our founding vision: a collaborative model that unites classroom and outdoor educators to serve youth of all abilities across Northern California. Our next chapter is guided by the same spirit that launched this movement—community, connection, and care for the land.
“What do parents owe thier young that is more important than a warm and trusting connection with the Earth? ”
Our Mission
Outdoor Education for All (OEFA) is housed at the Paradise Recreation and Park District and serves as a regional network of educators, community leaders, and organizations committed to delivering transformative outdoor learning experiences. We support ecological literacy, youth wellness, and land-based connection by expanding access to nature for all—especially underserved communities. Through partnerships and programs like Healing Trauma Through Nature and Elements Youth Advisory Council, OEFA strengthens outdoor education infrastructure across Butte County and beyond.
Where are we going? What are we doing?
Our founders created a strategic plan in 2015 to help give the organization direction. After a pause during covid, we re-grouped and will created a strategic plan that we are continue to build upon. The 2025 Symposium will inform our next strategic plan. Signup for the OEFA newsletter to stay in touch.