EcoWarriors
EcoWarriors
Environmental Youth Leadership Program
About EcoWarriors
EcoWarriors is a youth leadership program that provides middle and high school youth with a unique opportunity to explore the outdoors and address environmental issues facing their communities.
Participants will identify important environmental challenges, discuss innovative solutions for caring for the planet, shape their environmental values, and practice civic engagement. This program nurtures young leaders in environmental stewardship, encouraging them to make a positive impact in their communities.
This community access project is made possible with the Natural Resources Agency to improve youth access to natural and cultural resources.
Program Goals
- Increase youth appreciation for nature and their understanding of issues facing local and global communities.
- Convey the meaning and impact of environmental racism in and around LA County.
- Guide youth through processes of issue mapping and addressing solutions for positive impact.
Program Components
- One 3-day Retreat: Youth participants will participate in one of three retreat sessions:
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Session #1 | February 28 - March 2, 2025 |
| Session #2 | 3/14/2025-3/16/2025 |
| Session #3 | 3/28/2025-3/30/2025 |
- Follow-Up Meetings: Staff, Youth Advisory Council (YAC), and a select group of retreat participants will meet twice a month after the retreat to continue to refine impact projects that were developed during the retreat.
- Youth Summit: Retreat projects are presented to peers, family and community members during a full-day convening.
Eligibility & Participation
Participants are 5th-12th grade students who qualify based on income eligibility.
- 5th-8th grade students will be placed in unit groups for retreats to identify environmental issues and create impact projects. A selected number of units from each retreat will be selected to continue further through workshop sessions and a culminating youth summit.
- 9th-12th grade students will serve on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) providing guidance to the retreat, co-facilitate workshop sessions, and help plan for the youth summit.
FAQs
What is the cost of the EcoWarriors program?
The cost of the EcoWarriors program is free based on income eligibility.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Participants are eligible to participate based on income.
Can I sign up my child for multiple retreats?
No. Unfortunately, participants are only eligible to sign up and attend one retreat.
How many spots are available?
There are 144 spots available for youth participants in 5th-8th grade per retreat session.
How many follow-up workshop sessions will there be?
If selected, youth participants will be required to attend 4 workshop sessions. Two weekdays in October and two weekdays in November. Exact dates, TBD.
How many youth are selected to participate in the workshop sessions?
There will be three to four units/groups selected from each retreat to participate in the workshop sessions to further develop their impact projects.
Woodcraft Rangers leadership staff and the Youth Advisory Council will make the selection.
What is the Youth Advisory Council (YAC)?
The Youth Advisory Council consists of 18 high school participats who will help the leadership staff guide the EcoWarriors program.
My child has special needs, can they attend?
Woodcraft Rangers will make every effort to support and accommodate our participants’ diverse needs. Please e-mail our Director of Outdoor Education to discuss your needs further prior to registration and participation at campwoodcraft@woodcraftrangers.org.
Where will the retreat take place?
The retreat sessions will take place at Camp Woodcraft in the mountains nearby. For the safety and privacy of our students, we will not publicly disclose information regarding the camp location.
If you are a parent of a participant, you will receive details about the camp location once registered. For any additional questions or concerns, please contact us as campwoodcraft@woodcraftrangers.org.
For any questions or more information, please contact Natalie Pinedo, Manager of Outdoor Education, at npinedo@woodcraftrangers.org or (213) 249-9293.
