Yes/and. Oakland Goes Outdoors (OGO) is both embedded within the school district and also has programmatic aspects that operate alongside/outside Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Key members of our program team are OUSD staff and we are supervised by OUSD’s Middle School Superintendent. Our program is structured in a collaborative model, so organizations like Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) and the Oakland Public Education Fund also play vital roles to our overall success. 

See more below about what it means to be a key implementation partner, as well as the other partnerships we cultivate. This collaborative/collective impact approach allows us to efficiently navigate district structures and maintain maximum flexibility and equitable reach in program delivery.

Yes, we are fiscally sponsored by the Oakland Public Education Fund. Their EIN # is 43-2014630.

Our program was designed on the premise that the widest range of youth in Oakland can be reached by working with schools and meeting kids where they are already spending a considerable amount of time. We are able to ensure that programming is equitably distributed across all schools served. Too often, these outdoor program connections have primarily relied on an individual enthusiastic teacher, legacy relationships, or well-resourced PTAs, which unfortunately means far too many students miss out on these transformative learning experiences.

This approach allows us to reach a significant number of Oakland youth on an ongoing basis, who historically are not well-represented in or able to easily access outdoor spaces/activities. By working directly with schools through a district-wide approach, we are also able to offer continuous programming throughout the school year and as a student progresses from grade to grade.

Our role as an intermediary within the school district also allows us to connect outside organizations with schools and students across Oakland in an intentional and equitable way. By partnering directly with schools, outdoor service providers, and park agencies, Oakland Goes Outdoors serves as a critical link, streamlining trip logistics, ensuring alignment with district guidelines, and removing common barriers that often make these experiences challenging (transportation being the most significant). This coordination expands providers' reach to priority student populations while also easing the burden on educators, making these experiences more accessible and sustainable.

Oakland Goes Outdoors utilizes a collaborative coalition model, bringing together multiple organizations to equitably advance outdoor education, social-emotional learning, environmental literacy, and equitable access to nature. Our key implementation partners address common barriers that schools face in implementing sustainable outdoor learning experiences into their classrooms and curriculum.and curriculum. 

• Oakland Unified School District provides direct access to educators and students, allowing us to serve a large population of Oakland youth on an ongoing basis. We have district leadership support and buy-in, and our program staff are former teachers/after school program providers/parents themselves, creating trust and smooth communication across school sites and service provider partners.

• Bay Area Wilderness Training provides tailored outdoor leadership courses, training OUSD educators on the essential skills and knowledge needed to lead youth on trips into nature. BAWT also provides the necessary gear for overnight camping trips and other specialty recreation activities.

• Oakland Public Education Fund serves as our fiscal sponsor, managing funding streams and providing administrative support for grants and stipends to educators and school sites.

Park agencies/site based partnerships: We work closely with our local, regional and national park agencies and other site locations that host participants for both day and overnight experiences. These agencies/sites often provide programming support in addition to providing trail/camp site access. Examples include:

• East Bay Regional Parks District

• California Natural Resources Agency

• California State Parks

• National Parks Service, and many of their park affiliates including: Golden Gate National Park Conservancy, Point Reyes National Seashore Association, etc.

• NatureBridge

• Hidden Villa

• Slide Ranch

• Tahoe Gateway Mountain Center

• Vida Verde Nature Education

Programmatic/service provider partnerships: We work with a number of organizations and entities who provide programmatic and activity-specific support. Examples include:

• Call of the Sea

• Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) 

• Friends of Sausal Creek

• Marine Science Institute

• Save the Redwoods League

• Sea Trek

Professional Development/Teacher training support: A major component of our programming is supporting our teachers and classrooms to strengthen outdoor/STEM education tie-ins. Current/recent examples include KQED, California Academy of Science, and Bay Area Writing Project.

Research partnerships: We are deepening our evaluation and impact capabilities through collaboration with major research institutions & thought leaders in various disciplines. Examples include Dr. Nooshin Razani/UCSF, Center for Nature & Health, and the Lawrence Hall of Science

Other partnerships: We are continuing to build out other areas of work, including:

• Strengthening our communications infrastructure & storytelling with partnerships via OUSD Comms team, Resource Media, YouthBeat, etc.

• Participating in peer learning with aligned organizations and networks/coalitions.  Examples include Justice Outside, Together Bay Area, Children and Nature Network, SF Children & Nature, Outdoor Afro and many many more!

• Building an advisory council to ensure multi-sector representation, strategy and support.

Organizations and individuals interested in exploring partnership should reach out to our staff.

Middle school represents a crucial developmental stage when young people experience significant physical, social, and emotional changes. It's also a time when many students become more independent and begin to establish their own identities and preferences. During these pivotal years, research indicates that youth tend to spend progressively less time outdoors, becoming increasingly disconnected from nature due to greater reliance on screen-based activities, academic pressures, and reduced opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Additionally, this decrease in outdoor engagement coincides with a growing youth mental health crisis, characterized by rising rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders among adolescents. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to nature can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, contributing positively to mental health and emotional resilience.

Piloting Oakland Goes Outdoors programming specifically at the middle school level allowed us to effectively intervene during this critical window. Engaging students with meaningful outdoor experiences at this age can significantly impact their developmental trajectory, helping them establish positive, lifelong connections with nature and outdoor recreation. Furthermore, outdoor programming during middle school supports students' social-emotional growth, enhances peer relationships, builds confidence, and promotes greater environmental awareness and stewardship.

By introducing consistent, structured outdoor experiences at this transformative period, we aim to not only reconnect students with nature but also foster healthier lifestyle choices, academic engagement, and overall mental health and well-being that can extend far beyond their middle school years.

Currently, our capacity limits expansion to additional schools until increased funding and staffing are secured. If your OUSD school site is not yet supported and you are interested in collaborating, or if you are interested in providing funding for us to expand to more schools, please contact us. Meanwhile, schools can utilize our available resources here: Oakland Goes Outdoors - Resources

Once again, Oakland Goes Outdoors is structured in a way that allows us to work both within and alongside the school district, and therefore has multiple funding streams. OGO is fiscally sponsored through the Oakland Public Education Fund and also holds funds directly within OUSD. Additional grants go directly to partners like Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) to support leadership training and equipment needs. This structure ensures maximum efficiency and flexibility of funding support, while again addressing common barriers that arise when implementing programs directly within a district/school site.

Oakland Goes Outdoors is currently primarily funded by family foundations (75%), most notably the Riddell Family Fund via the East Bay Community Foundation. Government grants including the CNRA’s Outdoor Equity Grant, individual donations, and corporate grants provide additional support. 

We actively seek new partners and supporters, especially as the Riddell Family Fund phases out over the next few years.

To support our work, please donate directly here or contact Kaitlin Levenstrong, Executive Director, to discuss partnership opportunities.