Nearly one hundred times a day, a child in California is placed in foster care because of severe abuse or neglect.

Despite outdoor opportunities being at the doorstep of thousands of children in foster care, it is too often out of reach. Happy Trails for Kids engages youth with unique learning and extracurricular opportunities, while simultaneously reinforcing the benefits of nature and outdoor experiences.

By emphasizing retention of the same youth and staff, and by offering year-round programming, Happy Trails imparts meaningful stability, self-esteem and a sense of community that brings normalcy into the lives of children and teens.The majority of our staff members have successfully emerged from the foster care system, serving as outstanding role models and lifelong mentors for the youth served in our program.

Impact Reports