City and County of San Francisco

Teen Outdoor Experience 2015

About the Teen Outdoor Experience

The Project is led by a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office, Juvenile Probation Dept., Rec & Park Dept., Police Dept., and Various Community-Based Organizations

About the Teen Outdoor Experience

A signature initiative of the Mayor’s Office designed to engage inner-city youth during the summer, leveraging the City’s resources to provide a unique summer camp experience

Strategically planned before the start of school, the TOE provides an opportunity for high-risk youth from different neighborhoods to interact and build positive relationships with one another

About the Teen Outdoor Experience

Provides alternatives to crime, community violence, and relief from the negative influences of their neighborhoods

Brings together youth from various cultural backgrounds and neighborhoods frequently impacted by violence

About the Teen Outdoor Experience

In preparation for the trip, 3 mandatory workshops were conducted from July through August

On August 20th, campers boarded two buses along with Staff from Rec & Park, JPD, Log Cabin Ranch, and Case Managers to begin an adventure in the High Sierra Mountains

Both campers and staff reflected the multi-cultural and diverse make up of our city

For many, this was their first time visiting Yosemite National Park and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

Campers by the Numbers

44 Total Campers

Total of 14 Girls and 30 Boys

Biggest Girls Group of the 5 years of TOE

30 Youth campers, 8 Peer Leaders, 6 Graduated Peer Leaders (Rec & Park Employees)

Campers by the Numbers

Youth referred by SFJPD, Rec & Park and CBO’s

4 Youth referred by Log Cabin Ranch

4 Youth referred by Boys Shelter

27 Participants on active JPD supervision

Majority of participants from 94110, 94134, 94124, 94115

Orientations Prior to Camp

Conducted 3 Mandatory Pre-Trip Orientations

Orientations Prior to Camp

1 Make-up session was offered before final orientation to accommodate youth that may have missed a session due to conflicting schedules of other summer programming and/or family outings

Covered camp logistics as well as other pro-social & relationship building activities

Workshop topics included: Anger Management, Gender Respect, Anti-Bullying, Health/Hygiene, and Employment Information for completing on-line application of RPD 9910 Public Service Trainee Positions for graduating participants

Camp Activities

RPD Installed new Ropes/Challenge Course

- High Ropes, Leap of Faith, & Sling Shot were a hit!

Annual Staff & Youth Softball Tournament

Swimming in the Lake and Pool

Paddle Boarding, Canoeing, Slack-lining, & Tie-Dye

Drumming, Smores, Movie Night, & Journaling

5th Annual Camp Mather TOE Talent Show!!

Peer Leaders

Previous campers 18-24 identified for their leadership skills to provide peer-to-peer support

Hours accumulate and accrue from orientations, Camp, and for year round work towards eligibly for the 9910 classification

500 hours of work experience needed to progress to 64 & 79 camp assistant classifications

Employment and Retention

19 of the 25 youth eligible to applied to Rec & Park

17 Interviewed and selected for the 9910 Service Trainee seasonal employment program

4 youth at LCR will have 9910 placement upon release

Additional 6 youth will continue to work as RPD as 64 and 79 classifications across various sites throughout SF

Employment and Retention

Community Support Services and Probation Supervisors to coordinate support for TOE youth

Communication with RPD point person to coordinate processing and placement of youth’s job assignments

JAC members and CSS to provide ongoing check-in and peer-to-peer mentorship and training

Mid-year reunion of campers- BBQ/Pool Party

Faces of Teen Outdoor Experience 2015

Slideshow