Wilderness Youth Project

Wilderness Youth Project offers programs such as Bumblebees, Treefrogs, Salamanders, Dragonflies, Steelheads Campout, Dragonflies Campout - Bike, Ringtails Backpacking Trip, Dolphins, Scarab Bike Expedition, Condors Backpacking Trip, C.I.T., and Bridge to Nature. Activities include place-based summer camp, van-based nature exploration, an overnight campout, a backpacking trip, bike rides, and a Counselor in Training program.

Programs

• Bumblebees — 3-5 · Weekly camp meets in one location; optional aftercare 1-3PM; 9AM-1PM or 3PM · Place-based summer camp for little ones with curiosity about the natural world; does not travel in vans and stays at the same open space Monday thru Friday.
• Treefrogs — 6-8 · 9AM-3PM · Van-based program that meets at one location and explores nearby nature.
• Salamanders — 6-12 · 9AM-3PM · One-week camp created specifically for neurodiverse kids in a playful and adventurous outdoor environment.
• Dragonflies — 9-11 · 9AM-4PM · Van-based program that meets at one location and explores nearby nature; designed for older children ready to learn wilderness skills and the natural world.
• Steelheads Campout — 9-12 · 9AM-4PM / Overnight · One-week camp with 2 days of day camp and a 3-day local camping trip; designed to introduce young people to camping.
• Dragonflies Campout - Bike — 10-12 · 9AM-4PM / Overnight · Meets at one location and explores nearby nature by bike; includes a Thursday overnight campout and a ride to Carpinteria and campout at Carpinteria State Beach.
• Ringtails Backpacking Trip — 12-14 · Week 1 9AM-4PM / Week 2 Overnight · Backpacking expedition: week 1 van-based day camp, week 2 backpacking trip.
• Dolphins — 12-14 · 9AM-4PM · One-week advanced WYP day camp designed for older children seeking a high energy wilderness experience.
• Scarab Bike Expedition — 14-17 · 9AM-4PM / Overnight · One-week camp with 2 days of local rides and 3 days of bike packing trip.
• Condors Backpacking Trip — 15-17 · Overnight · Five day backpacking trip.
• C.I.T. — 15-17 · 9AM-3PM · Counselor in Training program for summer camps with younger children.
• Bridge to Nature — Pre-K; Grades 2-6; Grades 4, 5, or 6 · Morning; Afternoon · Fully subsidized community programs that serve participants at partner organization sites and schools; free of charge to participants.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Current session: Fall I (Aug 24–Oct 16, 2026); Fall II (Oct 19–Dec 18, 2026); Winter (Jan 6–Mar 26, 2027); Spring (Apr 5–Jun 4, 2027)
• General schedule: Summer camp participants meet for 1-2 week summer sessions at various spots throughout Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Montecito. Most programs have 12 youth and use 15-passenger vans to travel to different resource-rich locations each week. Every program has a 4:1 ratio of children to adults. Participants may attend WYP for one program per season, usually one day a week.

About the provider

Since 1999, Wilderness Youth Project has helped children and teens build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong connection to nature through relationship-based outdoor mentoring. It provides year-round nature connection programs in Santa Barbara and free community and school programs, and it says 74% of participants receive scholarships.

Open spots are limited and change; summer waitlists are first-come, first-serve. Participants meet for one program per season for school year programs. Some program times adjust seasonally.

What families say

“We appreciate everything WYP has done for our own children, as well as the community at large. The WYP staff are unmatched in their professionalism, expertise, outdoor safety skills, and genuine understanding of how to authentically open up the world of nature to children of all ages.” — Bridget Lewin, UCSB Instructor

“We have witnessed a significant transformation in our daughter since she joined WYP. Her confidence has boosted, her listening skills improved, her love and connection for the earth and for her teachers and friends have blossomed.” — Happy Parent of a Preschool-Age Participant

“This is so...beautiful. I had no idea this kind of place even existed here. It’s where we live. I can’t believe I spend so much time with my friends just in our rooms, on our phones, sad. We just look at our phones and feel bad about ourselves. We could be here- outside- looking at this instead!” — Grateful Middle School Student on her First Outing to Red Rock

Last updated September 23, 2026.