The Kids We Serve

Happy Trails for Kids serves children who have active cases in the Los Angeles County foster care system.  Given the difficulties of being in foster care, these deserving children benefit greatly from the fun, adventure, friendship and continuity of our Happy Trails Camp program. 

Most of our boys and girls live in impoverished neighborhoods and have suffered severe abuse and/or neglect in the past.  Although the foster care system is built to protect youth, too often these children are exposed to additional trauma once placed in foster care.  They are separated from their siblings, relatives and friends.  Frequently moved from home to home, they can face a stream of new caretakers, schools, therapists and peers.  Without a consistent adult presence in their lives, many of our children do not get the emotional support they need to face their unstable and turbulent lives.  The current statistics for foster youth paint a troubling picture.  Once youth “age out” of the system, they are especially likely to end up jobless, homeless or in jail.

Happy Trails for Kids also offers programs for disabled foster youth and youth receiving regional center services who are unable to attend a traditional camp environment like Happy Trails Camp.  These children face a variety of significant mental and/or physical challenges, and our programs Happy Trails Ranch and Happy Trails Farm are tailored to ensure they too can enjoy being a part of Happy Trails for Kids.