YES! Parks Programs (Youth Exploring Sonoma)

YES! Parks Programs (Youth Exploring Sonoma) includes activities such as kayaking, surfing, mountain biking, pontoon boating, ropes courses, fishing, crabbing, river tubing, guided hikes, and overnight camping. During the overnight camping trip, teens become familiar with gear, set up tents, and take turns cooking meals and cleaning. Each program also includes field trips and guest speakers from environmental organizations and outdoor-related professions.

• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: During each YES! Parks program, up to 30 teens meet with Regional Parks staff for seven full-day themed educational excursions and one weekend camping trip.
• Price: Regional Parks offers YES! Parks free of charge.

Since 2017, Sonoma County Regional Parks has offered the YES! Parks programs, which are described as award-winning. Each program serves up to 30 teens and is led by experienced Regional Parks outreach staff. The programs emphasize experiential learning and stewardship, including career pathways exploration related to the land, watershed, or coast and its significance to the surrounding community, environment, economy, and culture. Guest speakers often include biologists, ecologists, park rangers, educators, eco-tourism outfitters, and community or tribal representatives. The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation raises funds, fosters partnerships and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks, and each year fundraises to help offset the rising cost of transportation, food, and recreational contracts for these programs.

Last updated August 15, 2026.