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Youth Parkway Ambassadors

The Youth Parkway Ambassadors (YPA) program is a 3-month program commitment in which high school students learn about the San Joaquin River and its role in our community, share memorable outdoor experiences with new friends, access and explore multiple Parkway properties, and gain experience planning events, creating outreach materials, and leading outdoor activities at free public open house events.
In the 2024-2025 school year, the River Parkway Trust will be hosting cohorts of student participants from:
  • Farber Educational Campus - FUSD (Fall 2024)
  • Matilda Torres High School -MUSD (Spring 2025)
The Youth Parkway Ambassadors program gives students the opportunity to develop outdoor and leadership skills at properties along the Parkway. Each cohort then develops their leadership abilities and gains real-world experience planning and leading two free public open house days at the Parkway property of their choice. At open house days, students will teach the activities and skills they’ve practiced to the community with the support of the Trust’s resources and staff.

Program Overview for Fall 2025 Cohort

10 participants per school September to December 2025
3 Month program, consisting of: - 2 hour introductory orientation and discussion an each school- Three 6-hour outdoor training days- Four 2-hour planning sessions- Two 4-hour Open House events (7-hour program days for participants) -An Overnight (1 night, 2 day) campout at Millerton Lake Program consists of 60 hours total; participants must commit to attending at least 3/4 of total program time (45 hours)
Open House Events
April 12th, 2025 10am-2pm Location: Millerton Lake Recreation Area - (Grange Grove Day Use - 5290 Millerton Rd, Friant, CA) May 3rd, 2025 10am-2pm Location: Sycamore Island (39664 Ave 7 1/2, Madera 93636) At open house days, students will teach the activities and skills they’ve practiced to the community with the support of the Trust’s resources and staff. More info coming soon.
May 3rd Open House Registration
Meet Our Parkway Ambassadors
Read stories from our past cohorts and see their impact on the San Joaquin River Parkway.
Cohort 1: Madera South
Cohort 2: Madera High
Cohort 3: Matilda Torres/Madera South
Cohort 4: Madera High
Cohort 5: Farber Educational Campus
Cohort 6: Matilda Torres High School

Program Benefits:

Leadership and Event Skills:
  • Conducting effective meetings and discussions
  • Event scheduling, planning, and facilitation
  • Marketing materials design
  • Community Outreach
  • Public speaking and activity facilitation
  • Program/event evaluation metrics
Outdoor Recreation Skills and Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of local Parkway access sites
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Naturalist skills (plant and animal identification)
  • Environmental education and teaching
  • Natural resource stewardship
  • Team-building facilitation
  • Outdoor safety, water safety, and situational awareness
Other Benefits:
  • New friendships
  • Outdoor gear (T-shirt, hiking boots, pullover, backpack, and water bottle)
  • Season park passes for Fresno County Parks and Sycamore Island (Madera)
  • Free food at program events
  • Confidence in learning new skills and teaching others
  • Knowledge of and opportunities to participate in other programs (e.g., River Camp Voyagers scholarships)
  • Opt-in for public acknowledgment of participants (looks great on a college resume!)
  • Introduction to and connections within career paths in natural resources and outdoor recreation
Funding provided by the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) for the Youth Community Access Grant Program, Parks California, and the Dyer Family Foundation
Contact Us!
Address: 11605 Old Friant Road, Fresno, CA 93730 Call: 559-248-8480
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