American Canyon Parks Foundation Youth Programs

American Canyon Parks Foundation Youth Programs includes The Outdoor Connection, a trailside learning center brought to schools or sites within walking distance. It also offers Nature Art workshops using organic materials found in nature, Nature Science with Watershed Explorers and Curiosity Kids curriculum, Nature Play with outdoor loose-parts play using natural materials, and youth programs such as Watershed Trainee, Watershed Explorers, Watershed Protectors, Teen WILD, Discovery Days, Trail Programs, StoryWalk, and Wine & Wild.

At a glance

• Ages: 8–18 years old

About the provider

The Parks Foundation says its mission is to educate youth, protect the environment, and foster community connections. It says it brings nature and community together through environmental education and outdoor programs, has contributed over $800,000 to the community, spearheaded the Napa River Ecology Center project, developed nature and environmental programs, and reports community impacts including student participation, volunteer hours, trash removal, and outdoor hours.

• The Outdoor Connection — A trailside learning center brought to schools or sites within walking distance.
• Nature Art — One-day nature art workshops for youth using organic materials found in nature.
• Nature Science — Out-of-school enrichment and fun using Watershed Explorers and Curiosity Kids curriculum.
• Nature Play — Outdoor loose-parts play with natural materials that promotes a connection with the natural world.
• Watershed Trainee — 2nd- and 3rd-grade students · An introductory environmental education program for young learners.
• Watershed Explorers — third through fifth-grade elementary students · A three-part series focused on protecting and learning about watersheds.
• Watershed Protectors — 5th-grade students · A pilot program where students learn about environmental restoration and participate in invasive plant removal.
• Teen WILD — youth entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall · A year-long volunteer team that enables teens to complete community service hours, develop leadership and mentoring skills, and have fun outside.
• Discovery Days — An environmental education series for youth, families, and adults.
• Trail Programs — Quarterly coffee mornings, educational and social hikes, sunset walks, and more.
• StoryWalk — An interactive literary experience at Shenandoah Park.
• Wine & Wild — A quarterly environmental education and community gathering event with expert guest speakers.

Schedules fill early and are first come, first served for some programs. Teen WILD applications open in the spring each year. The Napa River Ecology Center physical location is under construction.

Last updated October 12, 2026.