Summer Happiness
The end of July and the beginning of August had exciting things in store for our youth!
Like typical teenagers, youth in our programs enjoy getting out of the house and trying new things. In July, youth from our residential program were invited to take part in a camping trip to Ascension Ranch at Folsom Lake, just as the summer heat was increasing! As with all our enrichment activities, this trip was made 100% possible by generous donors who provided all the essentials for a successful weekend. We asked our community for items from our camping wishlist and within 24 hours, the ENTIRE list had been purchased to send our youth off in style!
Ascension Ranch is located on Folsom Lake and has a unique and ever-growing list of activities. Family-owned, it offers a wonderful outdoor environment, an abundance of farm animals, and good old-fashioned ranch activities. On Saturday morning, youth and staff set out for the drive to Folsom. Highlights from the trip included sleeping under the stars, playing nighttime Hide and Seek, horse riding, lawn Jenga, and a water bottle fight to beat the heat! Upon return, a number of the youth were recognized for stepping up to help with different tasks like setting up tents and cooking meals. For all the youth this outing was a brand new experience, learning that nature provides many opportunities to learn and grow.
Monterey Bay Aquarium has proven to be a favorite California destination for many people! It is a great place to learn and experience the incredible marine habitats that surround us all. This summer Youth Homes was able to visit too! Youth and staff alike loved the Open Sea and Kelp Forest, snapped photos at the sea otter exhibit, and watched female sea otters swim and lounge around. They watched the giant Pacific Octopus and jellyfish glide through the water, touched a stingray, and enjoyed the fresh air while trying to spot wildlife. It was a fantastic day of building memories and would not have been possible without our donors!