Open Outdoors for Everyone
The Santa Monica Mountains (SAMO) Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds habitat restoration, hiking trail improvement, educational programs, and wildlife conservation in the Santa Monica Mountains - our Nation’s largest urban national park, located in the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California
SAMO Fund jointly manages an outdoors education program for 4th graders with the National Park Service. Originally known as Every Kid in a Park and Every Kid Outdoors, this program is now Open Outdoors For Everyone. It is free of charge and brings around 20,000 4th graders to the park for a day of adventure and learning with National Park Service and State Park Rangers
The aim of the program is to inspire the next generation of national park stewards in our country and to educate them about the Santa Monica Mountains on their doorstep
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area provides opportunities for students in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to connect with their local national park and green spaces
Most of the students come from Title 1 schools that might not have the budget to afford an outdoors education program
For many, it’s their first ever visit to a National Park
In 2019/20, 96% of the students were of a diverse background. This program would not be possible without the support of the National Park Foundation and donors around the country
