Big Basin Community Campout

A few months ago, Jennifer Adams (SF Bay Area Regional Coordinator) and some of the Latino Outdoors SF Bay Area volunteers; led a Community Campout at Big Basin Redwoods State Park located in the Santa Cruz mountains. For some of the participants, it was their first time going camping. The attendees consisted of families, couples, and a few individuals.  The weekend was full of playing boardgames, a hike, a visit from a local ranger, sitting around the campfire, eating pan dulce, making s’mores, learning the importance of “Leave No Trace” principles and lots of rain.

Thanks to the Bay Area Wilderness Training Program, Jennifer was able to secure sleeping bags, sleeping pads and tents for the participants. The first night consisted of learning how to set of tents, mingling, sitting around the campfire and watching the kids play games and eating some delicious Pan dulce brought by one of the families.

Some of the children playing board games. @Veronica Miranda

Pan dulce time! @Veronica Miranda

Getting cozy by the fire. @Veronica Miranda

On the second day of the campout there was some heavy rain in the morning. After breakfast, some of the participants headed over to a nearby shelter to relax and play games while everyone waited on the rain to ease up. The rain gave participants time to bond and get to know each each other. The group consisted of educators, biologists, mechanics, theater actors, students, photographers, mothers and fathers. We were enjoying the outdoors together and that’s the beauty of Latino Outdoors. We strive to create spaces where people can be comfortable with one another and be part of an outdoor culturally relevant community.

The children playing board games. @Raul Hernandez

SF Bay Area volunteer Olga Hernandez enjoying a game of cards with her daughters. @Raul Hernandez

Later in the day,  California State Parks ranger Scott Sipes came to speak to the group about the history of Big Basin, the Marbled Murrelet bird who nests in the park, activities and programs that Big Basin has over the summer, and answered all the questions that the kids asked.

California State Park Ranger Scott Sipes speaking to the group. @Raul Hernandez

The Ranger Scott Sipes answering all the kids questions, and boy did the have a lot! @Raul Hernandez

After the visit from the ranger, part of the group went on a hike to see the native species of plants and trees and nearby waterfall.

SF Bay Area Volunteers Olga Hernandez & Elisa Gallegos examining a map of Big Basin trails. @Veronica Miranda

The group on the trail.@ Raul Hernandez

On the trail. @Raul Hernandez

SF Bay Area volunteer Olga Hernandez leading the group. @Raul Hernandez

Group photo with the waterfall. @Raul Hernandez

Headed back to camp for lunch.@Veronica Miranda

After the hike, it was time to relax, for the adults at least. The children were filled with energy, they built forts, played tag and most off all got a chance to explore the beauty of Big Basin. The children were able to build friendships with one another. While watching the kids play, I am humbled by the fact that Latino Outdoors was able to provide the group with a camping experience with the help of California State Parks and the San Francisco Foundation Grant. With the help of other organizations we work together to provide safe spaces to local communities so they can get to know their local open spaces and gain knowledge of what to bring in the outdoors and how to pack it out and “Leave no Trace.”

Children picking teams for a game of tag. @Veronica Miranda

Building a fort. @Veronica Miranda

The kids trying to come up with ideas on how to get the adults to bring the S’mores out for the 50th time. @Veronica Miranda

After dinner, Jennifer Adams (SF Bay Area Regional Coordinator)  spoke about the importance of having as little garbage as possible that way we have little impact on the natural ecosystem. She went on to mention the importance of respecting the area and the native wild animals who live in Big Basin.

Reusable water basin. @Veronica Miranda

Washing station. @Veronica Miranda

After dinner it was time for S’mores and conversations. People were code switching, speaking in English and Spanish, laughing, having a good time. I had the pleasure of having a conversation with Angelica & Karla Marroquin; Karla has been on a few of Latino Outdoors’ outings and her mother, Angelica joins when she is able. I asked them how their experience was camping with Latino Outdoors; Karla stated “very welcoming & comfortable” she felt she was taking “baby steps” into camping. Angelica felt “comfortable being around people she could resonate with.”

S’mores! @Veronica Miranda

As the conversations decreased and people went into their tents to call it a night all I could think of is this is how you build community. By bringing people from all walks of life together to have conversations and experiences, we were just fortunate to be able to do it outdoors.

Until next time….

~Veronica Miranda; Social Media Coordinator/ San Francisco Bay Area North Program Coordinator

 

The Big Basin Campout was a success! Thank you to the following sponsors and donors for your generosity! Alite, Back to the Roots, Bay Area Wilderness Training, California State Parks, Nalgene, SeaToSummit, and The San Francisco Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Raul Hernandez and Veronica Miranda

A huge thank you to Jennifer Adams (SF Bay Area Regional Coordinator), for her continuous guidance, and hard work! Thank you to all the SF Bay Area volunteers, Ana Maria Coca, Carlos Miranda, Elisa Gallegos, Olga Calderon, Raul Hernandez and Veronica Miranda

Jennifer Adams (pictured center with backpack), welcomes everyone to the campout and goes over important information and itinerary for the weekend. @Veronica Miranda

News Release -New Executive Director Luis Villa

“We casted a wide net for a visionary leader who blended a commitment to serving Latino communities, with a proven track record of nurturing partnerships in the environmental movement—we are delighted that we found that person in Luis Villa,” said Richard Rojas, Chair of the Advisory Board of Directors.

“Luis has built a career providing innovative programming for youth, families, and communities. As Latino Outdoors prepares to implement the principles and goals detailed in its first strategic plan, his vision, leadership, and expertise will be essential.” –Richard Rojas

 

Please read the News Release below!

News Release- Luis Villa -New ED

Latino Outdoors Los Angeles: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Hike

The temperature was climbing to a comfortable mid-70s and the blue sky and wild green grass had a brilliant technicolor hue, the type you only see after foul weather has cleared. “I think the sun’s following me,” Latino Outdoors founder José González joked. Rains had battered the Southern California coastline for the past few weeks and the sun was finally shining brightly. Jose had just come from San Diego where the recent rains had let up just in time for his excursion there as well. He was heading to Santa Barbara soon after our hike and the sun, no doubt, would be his companion. Joining José at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook visitor center were a few local outdoor experts, myself, and about a dozen hikers of all ages who had heard of the event through social media, the Latino Outdoors website, and word of mouth.

We walked along a narrow dirt trail and the tall brush obscured any view of the busy downtown Los Angeles skyline, of the Hollywood Sign, and of the urban sprawl in between. Leading the day’s hike was Maricela Rosales, L.O. Brand Coordinator, who works to create an inclusive space outdoors. Along the way, Maricela described how unique the Overlook was as an outdoor space. “This space is for you,” she emphasized as she explained the importance of conservation, sustainability, and inspiring and empowering the next generation of outdoors leaders.

Selene Castillo, a Park Interpretive Specialist from the Los Angeles State Historic Park had also joined the excursion. “All of this is native” she announced as she educated our hikers about the importance of protecting and preserving the native wild flower and wildlife ecosystem.

While mindfully acknowledging that the Overlook, and the Los Angeles region as a whole, sits on indigenous land, González reminded us that we have every imaginable type of public space available here from city, state, and state parks to national monuments, protected marine parks and more. As he spoke passionately to the group, he pointed to various swaths of green on the horizon. His message was clear: Los Angeles was a unique area filled with a surprising amount of open spaces and it was ours, as a latinx community to cherish, to protect, and to enjoy.

A few hikers stopped to listen, perhaps intrigued by the sight of latinos outdoors and in numbers. A warm breeze suggested that Spring had finally arrived and we climbed up an incline, each of us at our own pace and yet together as a group. When we reached the summit of the Overlook we caught our breaths, wiped our brows and looked out at the same Los Angeles skyline, but somehow with different eyes. It wasn’t just highways, apartment buildings, skyscrapers and traffic that we were looking at. It was opportunity. It was a land of open space and trails, of mountains, parks, conservation, preservation, inclusion and access to the outdoors, right in our backyard.

We returned to the visitor center for a fun raffle giveaway as many of us exchanged contact information and ideas. Maricela wrapped up the outing with a call to action: get involved. Volunteer. Learn. Join the Latino Outdoors community. Protect open spaces. Represent and include those who are just getting started. Find and inspire young outdoor leaders.

We took some group photos, and showed off our new hats, stickers, t-shirts and calendars, we hugged, laughed, made sure we got each others’ names right and we wished José well as he, and the sun, headed off to warm and inspire the next group of latinx adventurers, hikers and conservationists. I took one last look at the City of Angels from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and could only think of one thing: I can’t wait for the next L.O. outing.

— Guest Blogger: Christian La Mont

(Photos courtesy of Christian La Mont)