Another unforgettable season of the Youth Environmental Leadership Camp (YELC) has come to a close, and this summer was truly one for the books! From creek walks and nature discoveries to climate action brainstorms and a civic engagement workshop, our campers explored the environment in ways that were both eye-opening and life-changing.
By late April, we had received 113 applications for the 60 available spots. Our fourth YELC season welcomed incoming 6th and 7th graders (ages 10–12) who were eager to grow into leaders and stewards of their communities. With a theme focused on climate action and sustainability, students learned about air and water quality, eco-careers, and how local decisions shape natural habitats. Each week, 15 students embarked on a five-day journey filled with immersive field trips, hands-on activities, and expert-led tours and discussions. Thanks to Paratransit, Inc. for getting us safely all around the Sacramento Region!
Campers explored air quality and energy by touring either the historic Folsom Powerhouse, where they learned about hydroelectric power generation, or the Van Warmerdam Dairy, where they saw and learned about a biogas digester, followed by building solar bugs and solar ovens and designing wind turbines, with help from SMUD. They gained insight into water conservation through data collection and macroinvertebrate observation at a restored creek mitigation site at Soil Born Farms. At Nicolaus Dairy, students harvested produce and discovered how composting reduces landfill waste. And there was so much more!
Campers’ experiences started with tours of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and culminated with a day at the Westervelt Ecological Services floodplain levy breach site at the Cosumnes Floodplain Restoration project, where campers learned about how when cities choose to approve a development on open space habitat they often have to mitigate for the loss of habitat in another location. Then campers did a mock debate where they heard from a developer and a “concerned wildlife lover,” both showcasing their wants and needs over developing a “new zoo in a current open space.” These debates are so much fun to see the campers lean into their questions and think out the delicate balance between the need for housing, services, and wild places.
But YELC doesn’t stop after five days. Every camper commits to volunteering at least twice with an eco-focused nonprofit and holding a personal fundraising campaign (minimum $40) to support an environmental cause, choosing an organization other than Splash. In December, campers will return to present where they volunteered, how much they accomplished, how they raised their money, and where they donated it, showing how their summer experiences blossomed into real-world impact, while also instilling a sense of civic engagement and stewardship.
This year’s camp would not have been possible without our 21 incredible partners, who provided expert guidance, inspiring experiences, and hands-on learning every step of the way. A heartfelt thank you to:
- City of Rancho Cordova-Community Enhancement Fund
- Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer)
- Paratransit, Inc.
- Republic Services
- California Dept of Fish and Wildlife / Nimbus Fish Hatchery
- Sacramento Tree Foundation
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- CA Air Resources Board
- Effie Yeaw Nature Center
- Sacramento EV Association / George Parrott
- Westervelt Ecological Services
- Stillwater Sciences
- cbec eco-engineering
- Soil Born Farms
- SMUD
- Maas Energy Works
- Van Warmerdam Dairy
- California State Parks / Folsom Powerhouse
- Teichert
- California American Water
- The MACC
Your generous time and resources make this camp a reality. Without each and every one of you putting the puzzle of this camp together, we couldn’t do it. We realize the importance of each of you! And special thanks to our friends at Paratransit, Inc., whose unwavering support ensured students had safe, eco-conscious transportation every week. Thanks to your partnership, young leaders from across Sacramento could access this opportunity.
YELC is more than a camp; it’s a launchpad. These young leaders are stepping into their power and leaving a lasting, positive footprint of change wherever they go, they often leave camp knowing more than most adults about how systems and science come together.
Interested in supporting YELC or getting involved as a future partner or donor? Visit Us to learn more or here to join the movement by supporting us. Together, we’re building the next generation of climate-conscious leaders.