ABOUT US

The Elements Youth Outdoor Program was founded in Fall 2022 to serve the youth of Butte County. The program was originally created through a collaboration of stakeholders from Paradise Recreation and Parks District (PRPD), Outdoor Education for All (OEFA), Butte County Office of Education (BCOE), and Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) in 2022. The team developed the program in response to a Butte County youth summit conducted to address needs for children and teens on the ridge after the Camp Fire. With the direct support of OEFA and PRPD staff, the program was launched after receiving a Youth Community Access grant from the CA Natural Resources Agency (Prop 64 funds) to implement the program. Over 3 years, the original pilot program tested out different iterations of staffing, partnerships, curriculum, group size, trip length, and levels of skill development until its current design.

Elements connects youth ages 16 to 22 with opportunities and activities that tend to the mind, body & spirit. Through meetings, retreats and outdoor experiences participants increase access to and awareness of the health benefits of outdoor adventure and environmental advocacy as well as get exposed to college & career pathways in the natural resources sector. Participants help lead the direction of the program with the aim to bring the benefits of the program back to their respective schools and communities. The program basecamp operates out of the Terry Ashe Center (PRPD headquarters) in Paradise, CA.

Our program is based in Paradise, CA at the Paradise Recreation & Parks District (PRPD). Although we focus our recruitment and outreach on the ridge and the majority of our participants live in Paradise & Magalia, any youth in Butte County may participate. 

PROGRAM SPECIFICS

We currently offer 2 variations of our program:

Summer day trip series - Our stand alone day trips offer a taste of our longer programs with a focus on one specific element - fire, water, air, or earth. Participants can sign up for one or more trips offered throughout the summer months. We do our best to include aspects of all of our curriculum areas within a full day outing. Each outing ventures to a unique outdoor location around Butte County. The outings are facilitated by experienced guides with wilderness first aid training along with guest experts.

4-month cohort model - We found that a committed group of participants who attend a longer developmental program benefit greatly. Each cohort of 15 to 20 youth participates in a 4-month curriculum that integrates all 4 elements of fire, earth, air and water. The curriculum is facilitated by a team: two experienced guides with wilderness first aid training, guest experts from regional partnership organizations, and college mentors that have been through the program. There are fall and spring cohorts.

outdoor experiences

Below are just a few of our past outings:

  • Feather River Salmon Float

  • Astronomy & the Night Sky

  • Hiking in Upper Bidwell Park

  • Boating on the Sacramento River

  • Prescribed Burning

  • High and Low Ropes Course

  • Chico State Ecological Reserves Field Trips

  • Birding at the Llano Seco Refuge

  • Kayaking on Paradise Lake

  • Snowshoeing at Lassen National Park

  • Forest Bathing

  • and more!

Check out our social media

Instagram @elementsyac

Facebook @ Elements Youth Advisory Council