Canal Alliance’s University Prep (UP!) program is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. The program works alongside Latino first-generation youth from sixth grade through high school, providing intensive afterschool academic support, mentorship, and college readiness programming. Through a cohort-based model, students build long-term relationships with peers and educators while gaining the skills, confidence, and resources needed to pursue higher education and future careers.
As part of this approach, UP! students will participate in a series of outdoor enrichment field trips designed to expand learning beyond the classroom. In partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, students will visit local watersheds and the California coast to engage in hands-on environmental learning. Activities such as kayaking, guided trail walks, and group reflection will allow students to explore topics including sea level rise, watershed health, and the impacts of climate change.
Funders like North Bay Watershed Association make these student experiences possible. We are grateful for their partnership in helping students build deeper connections to their communities while strengthening environmental literacy, leadership development, and career exploration.