Open Outdoors for Everyone, is an outdoors education program for 4th graders, jointly managed by SAMO fund and National Park Service. This FREE program brings 4th graders to the park for a day of adventure and learning with NPS and State Park Rangers.
This program aims to inspire the next generation of national park stewards and educate them about the national park on their doorstep, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The park provides opportunities for students in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to connect with their local parks and green spaces. This program hosts around 20,000 students 96% of which are of a diverse background. Most of the students come from Title 1 schools that might not have the budget to afford an outdoors education program. For many, it’s their first-ever visit to a National Park.
Originally known as ‘Every Kid in a Park’ and ‘Every Kid Outdoors’, it is now ‘Open Outdoors For Everyone’. This program would not be possible without the support of the National Park Foundation and donors around the country
For many, it’s their first ever visit to a National Park
Meet Anna
Anna Flores is SAMO Fund’s Education Program Lead.
“I like to keep them (the drawings) hanging at my desk because this is why I do it, for the kids, and to show them the different careers they could enjoy”
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From a young age, Anna knew she wanted to study environmental studies. Through her education and career, she gained experience in environmental community engagement, environmental advocacy, and familiarity with working in a lab, but the outreach and community based work was always what resonated with her the most.
As the Education Program lead, Anna inspires and motivates students to find ways to resonate and connect with nature.
Inspiring the next generation of national park stewards
The Santa Monica Mountains (SAMO) Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds habitat restoration, hiking trail improvement, educational programs, and wildlife conservation in the Santa Monica Mountains - our Nation’s largest urban national park, located in the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California