YES Nature to Neighborhoods

YES Nature to Neighborhoods Nurturing leaders who champion the well-being of our community. When we don't get it, we don't do so well."

Many children who live in North, South, and Central Richmond have never been on an ocean beach, even though it is less than 20 miles from their home. The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge stretches off in the horizon, a symbol of the proximity of wonders that are out of their reach. Richard Louv, in his seminal work, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder makes the

case that "There is something in us that needs nature. YES provides children and families in West Contra Costa access to experiences in the natural environment – opportunities that can ignite the imagination, build self-confidence and enhance social skills. Educators, parents, and camp counselors observe that early exposure to an array of enriching experiences create a child’s sense of possibilities and provide the foundation for success. Each year since 1999, YES has brought children from gritty and often dangerous Richmond neighborhoods to summer camps in pristine natural settings. In more recent years, YES has also offered weekend Family Camps so that entire families can find respite and make new connections while engaging in traditional camp activities: arts & crafts, hiking, campfires, drumming circles, zip-lines, and more. The first difference to strike the children when they arrive at camp is the safety. “There are no gunshots, only crickets,” 8-year-old Arlene said. They can run freely among the car-free fields and trees: for a short time they can experience the limitless joy which should be the birthright of all children.

At YES, science looks very different from lab coats and clean rooms. It’s usually loud, messy, a bit chaotic, and takes ...
06/11/2026

At YES, science looks very different from lab coats and clean rooms. It’s usually loud, messy, a bit chaotic, and takes place wherever curiosity strikes–around the campfire, in urban parks, or in our office parking lot.

Blanca Hernandez and Saul Cuevas-Landeros, two of our YES team members who inspire those moments, were recently featured in The Lawrence Hall of Science’s Science is People Powered exhibit for exactly that! 🌟

Blanca and Saul are helping redefine what science can look like--rooted in culture, community, creativity, and care--and who feels welcome and empowered. Through their leadership, young people and families are encouraged to ask questions, notice and observe, and most importantly, see themselves as scientists.

Visit our friends at to learn more, and check out Blanca and Saul’s reflections on the power of accessibility in science. Their stories are featured alongside other science heroes of all ages who inspire curiosity and connection.

June 2nd is Election Day in California! While summer camp itself may not be on your ballot, lots of very important thing...
06/02/2026

June 2nd is Election Day in California! While summer camp itself may not be on your ballot, lots of very important things are:

🧑‍⚖️ Local, State, and Federal Officials: From city council to congress members, this primary shapes who will make vital decisions on environmental regulations, public safety initiatives, neighborhood programs, community health equity, and so much more.

🌳 Nature Preservation and Land Use: Land-use decisions affect access to nature, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, and the health of our communities.

📚 Public Education: From school leadership to local funding decisions, statewide and local races will have a big impact on the access and quality of the education and resources students receive in our communities.

Whether you're a first-time voter or this is your bi-annual routine, you're actively shaping the world you want to see when you cast your ballot! Make a plan to vote in person or drop off your completed ballot at an official drop box or voting location before 8 PM on Tuesday June 2nd to be a part of the action.

Summer camp sessions are filling up! ⏰⛺🌲Ways to register: 🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-camp📞 Call (510) 232-3032 x307✉️ Ema...
05/30/2026

Summer camp sessions are filling up! ⏰⛺🌲

Ways to register:
🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-camp
📞 Call (510) 232-3032 x307
✉️ Email [email protected]
🏡 Stop by the YES office Tuesdays and Thursday from 9am to 4:30pm, or by appointment outside of these hours

Share this post with the parents, caregivers, mentors, coaches, teachers, and youth-serving organizations in your life to help us connect youth and families with a FREE adventure-filled week outdoors!
-----------------
¡Las sesiones de los campamentos de verano se llenan!

Formas de inscribirse:
🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-camp
📞 Llamar al (510) 232-3032 x307
✉️ Correo electrónico [email protected]
🏡 Pase por la oficina de YES, los martes y los jueves de 9:00am a 4:30pm o con cita previa fuera de este horario.

¡Comparte este post con los padres, cuidadores, mentores, entrenadores, maestros y organizaciones de servicio a la juventud en tu vida para ayudarnos a conectar a los jóvenes y las familias con una semana GRATIS llena de aventuras al aire libre!

[Este mensaje continúa en español]Summer camp sessions are filling up! ⏰⛺ Ways to register: 🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-ca...
05/20/2026

[Este mensaje continúa en español]
Summer camp sessions are filling up! ⏰⛺

Ways to register:
🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-camp
📞 Call (510) 232-3032 x307
✉️ Email [email protected]
🏡 Stop by the YES office Tuesdays and Thursday from 9am to 4:30pm, or by appointment outside of these hours

Share this post with the parents, caregivers, mentors, coaches, teachers, and youth-serving organizations in your life to help us connect youth and families with a FREE adventure-filled week outdoors!
-----------------
¡Las sesiones de los campamentos de verano se llenan!

Formas de inscribirse:
🔗 yesfamilies.org/summer-camp
📞 Llamar al (510) 232-3032 x307
✉️ Correo electrónico [email protected]
🏡 Pase por la oficina de YES, los martes y los jueves de 9:00am a 4:30pm o con cita previa fuera de este horario.

¡Comparte este post con los padres, cuidadores, mentores, entrenadores, maestros y organizaciones de servicio a la juventud en tu vida para ayudarnos a conectar a los jóvenes y las familias con una semana GRATIS llena de aventuras al aire libre!

05/15/2026

The Youth Engagement Team has some great ideas for what they would like to see at Nicholl Park.
Come to Nicholl Park Design day May 16! 11:30-4pm
Share with us your vision with what you would like to see at Nicholl Park.

05/08/2026

Come tell us what you want to see at Nicholl Park! 👇

✨Design Day✨
Saturday 5/16
11:30am - 4pm
Nicholl Park

Your city. Your park. Your vision. 🌳✨At Nicholl Park Design Day, you have a chance to use you voice to directly shape th...
04/30/2026

Your city. Your park. Your vision. 🌳✨

At Nicholl Park Design Day, you have a chance to use you voice to directly shape the future of our community greenspace. Whether it’s a brand-new playground, more amenities, better sports fields, or making the park feel safer and more welcoming for everyone, your feedback will inform the improvements that are actually being made. It’s your chance to dream big and help build a park you want to use.

Come for the impact, stay for the good times:
🍔 FREE LUNCH for the first 200 people!
🎁 Prizes & Giveaways
🎯 Games & Activities for all
♿ Accessible for all ages and abilities

🗓 When: Saturday, May 16 | 11:30 AM – 4 PM 📍 Where: Nicholl Park
*Performances and speakers begin at 11:30 AM and stations open to provide feedback at 12:30PM

Don’t miss out on being part of the legacy. See you there!

Say it with us:📢 There is no environmental justice without racial justice.You may think of redlining as something that a...
04/22/2026

Say it with us:

📢 There is no environmental justice without racial justice.

You may think of redlining as something that affects home ownership (and you'd be right), but it's so much bigger. Nearly a century after redlining began, we can see how deep the roots of racism are in nearly everything about how our neighborhoods are planned. Tree cover and easy access to parks and greenspaces, that are safe and cared for, is a pathway to better health outcomes that communities of color have long been denied.

YES is proud to work in community with amazing organizations and leaders that have been fighting for years to change that. This Earth Day, learn more about them and the work they're doing and take a few minutes to learn more about the link between racial and environmental equity.

04/17/2026

Adventure Crew out in Coyote Hills making sure sun protection and style go hand-in-hand😎

Address

303 41st Street
Richmond, CA
94805

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15102323032

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