***SAMO Youth Alumni from the past 25 years.***
***Top row (Left to Right):***
Felipe Lepe (lead), NPS Kalli (lead), Natalie, Rafael, Marifer Martinez, Mari, Kevin Torres, Shanice Crespo, NPS Antonio Solorio (Main Lead)
***Bottom row (Left to Right):***
Adriana Barrera (Lead), Andrew Castro, Eva Vieyra, Javier Sandoval-Garcia, Karina Jimenez

SAMO Youth Alumni Gather for 25th Birthday Celebrations

On Saturday August 3rd, with temperatures soaring over 100, SAMO Youth Alumni, current interns, mentors, families, and leaders gathered at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. They were there to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2024 and a huge milestone for SAMO Youth – this award-winning program has been running for 25 years and has become a core part of SAMO Fund and the SMMNRA!

Clustered under the shade, the mood was sunny and celebratory, mixed with pride and respect for how successful the program and its Alumni are. Over 300 people have gone through the SAMO Youth, and alumni representing the past 25 years were there to catch-up, swap stories and listen to past and present graduates reminisce about their experiences.

“ I had a great time learning about what the park is all about. Prior to my SAMO Youth summer I did not know anything about outdoor education, so getting to meet people from all around Ventura and Los Angeles County is my favorite experience with SAMO Youth. My cohort’s passion and commitment to be that change agent is what motivates me and stays close to my heart.”

— SAMO Youth Alumni. For many participants, SAMO Youth is a first introduction to the National Parks

Community is a big part of SAMO Youth, the crew members work and learn closely together over an eight-week period, making memories and forging their paths for the future. Graduates of the program have gone onto work in over 15 National Parks throughout the country. SAMO Youth teaches transferrable skills and participants can explore many different career options through hands on work and visits to other parks and foundations throughout California. Graduates have careers as diverse as recycling coordinators, landscape designers, and student success coaches. A high number go onto work for environmental sustainability organizations and community alliances. They all carry their experience of eight intense, unique weeks over a summer with them.

There are many highlights of the SAMO Youth program that were mentioned at the reunion. Hiking as a community was a favorite activity, especially getting up extra early for the sunrise hike up Sandstone Peak! The fun and experience of traveling to new places, learning about managing different ecosystems, interacting with park visitors, as well as camping out on the Channel Islands, are memories that were shared, compared, and laughed over.

““It’s always exciting seeing how crew members see the impact of their work at the end of the day. Seeing their reactions to meeting professionals with similar stories and creating that connection helps strengthen that confidence in themselves to make a positive impact in whatever their next career choice takes them.””

— SAMO Youth Alumni

Although the program is hard and intense, with interns working long days for eight weeks come rain (sometimes) or (extremely intense) sunshine, on-the-job satisfaction is high.

Antonio Solorio, Park Ranger-SAMO Youth Program Manager, described how fulfilling he finds working for SAMO Youth. He summed up the participants and their experiences as always having a “Smile on their face and a pep in their step.”

This program has been supported annually by the National Park Foundation and would not be possible without their funding.

SAMO Youth recruits highly-motivated individuals aged 18-25 from surrounding communities interested in a summer of exploring environmental careers. Find out more…