MTNS2SEA partners with alternative high schools to support youth with a weekly, off-campus healing experience in nature. MTNS2SEA is designed to provide youth with tools to manage stress and anxiety, learn ways to enjoy the benefits of nature, build confidence through challenging activities, and develop healthy relationships with peers and caring adult mentors. To achieve lasting impact, each group leaves campus to adventure in nature one day per week for 12-weeks to develop sustained personal growth and increased resilience.

One day per week for 12-weeks, the group of 10 youth leave campus for an outdoor experience focused on learning strategies to manage anxiety and depression, building communication skills and developmental relationships, and learning healthy activities for healing in nature. By partnering with alternative high schools in Santa Cruz County

Each of the 12 outings have 4 components: check-in, adventure, reflection, and goal setting. Throughout the day, lessons focus on how to change unhealthy behaviors and develop new skills like conflict resolution and walking in nature for stress management. All outings are tech-free which allows MTNS2SEA to teach skills related to developing relationships with peers and adults through structured conversation during check-ins and informal chats while adventuring or having lunch. This approach gives the youth multiple opportunities to learn and heal over time and develop lasting relationships with the MTNS2SEA staff, community members, and their peers.

MTNS2SEA teaches youth how they can responsibly interact with and benefit from nature. This is a life skill they can use to maintain well-being. After the 12 week program, MTNS2SEA participants report that they are more likely to be physically active in the outdoors and that the learned about how to access natural spaces on their own. To address the inequities that exist preventing all people from accessing the benefits of nature, we teach youth how to enjoy natural spaces at low or no cost. Participants are encouraged to return on their own time with family and friends.

peer mentorship

After participating in the 12-week program, the youth can apply for a mentorship position in which they will return for a second 12-week program in a leadership role. Peer mentors design and lead check-in discussions, provide demonstrations on activities, answer questions for new participants, and help the MTNS2SEA staff build rapport with a new group. Leading by example, the peer mentors are a model of how implementing the skills they learned in their MTNS2SEA experience helped them heal and grow. Peer mentors receive a stipend for their leadership.