We’re on a mission to spark curiosity, ignite wonder, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards by getting Sonoma Valley youth outside! This year, we have launched an outdoor gear lending library in support of expanding environmental education and overnight programming across Sonoma Valley.
Thanks to our fantastic partners—Community Foundation of Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund, REI – Santa Rosa, Marmot, Nemo Equipment, and the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley—we can now loan camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads to our nonprofit partners in the Sonoma Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC) at no cost, making overnight outdoor adventures accessible to all Sonoma Valley kids.
Prior to the launch of our outdoor gear lending library, Sonoma County nonprofits needed to rent or purchase their own individual camping equipment in order to access outdoor gear for programming. The use of external gear rentals or purchases poses logistical and financial challenges that hinders accessible, equitable, and inclusive overnight outdoor experiences, particularly for low-income schools and smaller organizations. Now, with the outdoor gear lending library, youth in the Sonoma Valley will have easier access to camping gear and more opportunities for overnight programs.
Most recently, we’ve used the outdoor gear lending library to support our capstone campouts in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. These campouts give 5th and 6th graders an epic, one-night camping adventure culmination of our multi-year environmental education pathway. Our Watershed Education Program connects every 2nd through 6th grade student in Sonoma Valley to nature and science through classroom lessons and field trips to our local open spaces, at no cost to the school or families.
Students from El Verano Elementary begin the hike to their campout in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Photo courtesy of Christie Clark.
This year, as part of the pilot campout program, over 350 students from local schools like Flowery and El Verano Elementary will experience their first camping trip! There are four total outings planned for this school year, with three scheduled for Spring 2025 at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. The first outing took place on October 10th, marking our inaugural campout using the outdoor gear lending library.
From night hikes to see the rare Northern Lights, to dissecting salmon, to testing water quality and stargazing at the observatory, these young minds got a hands-on lesson in the wonders of the natural world. For many, it was their first time sleeping in a tent under a starry sky and discovering the beauty of nature up close and personal. Students and teachers alike had an unforgettable experience:
“Thank you so much for the best overnight experience I’ve ever had with a class. I know it was a group effort, but you provided the equipment, venue, and amazing staff. The kids had a blast!! The moments during the night program and night hike were my favorite.”
—5th grade teacher at El Verano School
To make sure every child has access to experiences like these, our outdoor gear lending library will be available to other nonprofits within the Sonoma Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC) community as well, expanding gear access throughout the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Ecology Center will be using the library’s gear for our upcoming Senderos campouts and Wappo Tribal campouts.
Students gain independence and have fun while learning to set up their campsite with equipment from the outdoor gear lending library. Photo courtesy of Christie Clark.
Enjoying a meal & learning together is one of the best parts of a group camping experience! Photo courtesy of Christie Clark.
We envision that these partnerships and programs will enrich outdoor education in the Sonoma Valley and beyond, promote inclusivity, and foster environmental appreciation among the community’s youth. With every campout and every hike, we’re building a lifelong love of nature within our future generations.
We will also likely have opportunities to donate new or gently used camping gear to the gear library in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for more ways to contribute to our education program. Together, with your support, we can continue to foster relationships within our community and inspire the next generation to explore, discover, and connect with nature through accessible and equitable outdoor education.