Opening Doors to Discovery: Canal Alliance Youth Explore the Outdoors Through Point Reyes National Seashore Association Partnership

Our partnership with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA) has become an important extension of the work we do through the University Prep (UP!) Program here at Canal Alliance. UP! helps guide immigrant and low-income youth-many of them first-generation, college-bound students-through middle school on to college by offering tutoring, academic support, workshops, counseling, and socio-emotional learning. But our collaboration with PRNSA brings something just as important: moments that spark curiosity, joy, and possibility outside the classroom.

On field trips to Point Reyes National Seashore, our youth received an introduction to the outdoors that many of them have never experienced. They hiked coastal trails, learned about local ecology, and experienced the beauty of the Bay Area firsthand. These experiences build their confidence, connection, and ispire new questions,

As Henry Velasquez, Senior Manager of Youth and College Education shares:

“Willingness to remove barriers has been a great piece that PRNSA has been able to provide us over the last couple years.” By removing barriers and creating welcoming, hands-on learning opportunities, PRNSA is helping our youth see themselves as explorers, students, scientists—and future leaders. Together, we’re opening doors, expanding horizons, and showing young people just how big their world can be.