Sacramento Splash’s Youth Environmental Leadership Camp (YELC) is now accepting applications for its 2025 summer sessions, offering an immersive and educational experience for students entering the 6th or 7th grade this fall. This free program aims to connect young minds with nature, educate them on human environmental impacts, and introduce them to various careers in environmental science through hands-on activities.
YELC is structured as a one-week camp running Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each day begins and ends at the Splash Science Center, located at 4426 Excelsior Road in Mather, California. Campers embark on daily field trips to diverse locations, engaging in activities that cover topics such as climate change, air quality, energy, transportation, water quality, natural habitats, and waste management.
To foster a sense of responsibility and community involvement, campers are required to participate in at least two environmentally focused volunteer events with partner organizations. Additionally, between July and November, each camper will conduct a personal fundraising campaign for an environmental organization (excluding Splash) and present their experiences to peers and parents in early December. Guidance is provided throughout these activities to ensure meaningful engagement.
Applications for the 2025 YELC sessions are currently open and will remain so until all camp weeks are filled. Preference is given to applicants who complete at least one of the required volunteer activities between February 3 and March 31. Prospective campers and their guardians are encouraged to apply promptly due to the program’s popularity and limited capacity.
Past participants and their families have praised the camp’s impact. One camper shared, “This camp was so much fun. I really liked the water days. Everything felt very special, and it was cool to know that this camp was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. YELC has inspired me to want to make the world a better place.” A parent noted, “The YELC program was a wonderful experience for my 11-year-old son. He loved the hands-on experiences of getting to be the scientist, testing water quality, and getting to be the engineer building a solar oven and solar bug.”
Sacramento Splash is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping local children understand and value their natural world through science education and outdoor exploration. Since its inception, Splash has connected thousands of students to nature, fostering environmental stewardship and awareness.
For more information about the Youth Environmental Leadership Camp and to access the application, visit Sacramento Splash’s official website.