Long Beach Teens Invited to Free Outdoor Youth Connection Camp

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Youth participate in an active exercise in pairs at a past Outdoor Youth Connection Camp hosted by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) invites Long Beach teens ages 13 to 17 to participate in the California State Parks Outdoor Youth Connection Camp. This free three-day, two-night training camp uses outdoor experiences to build teens' skills in leadership, communication, self-esteem and team building. The camp will take place Aug. 7 through 9, 2026, at Castaic Lake.

"The Outdoor Youth Connection Camp is an incredible opportunity for our teens to step into nature, discover new strengths and build confidence," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This free camp reflects our commitment to offering experiences that empower young people through leadership, teamwork and time in nature."

PRM's Teen Center Program will join agencies across California for this year's Outdoor Youth Connection Camp, which blends engaging and fun leadership development activities with the introduction to State Parks and outdoor recreation. The camp is designed to foster and build leadership development, confidence and dedication to their community. Following participation in the camp, Long Beach teens will take the tools and experiences gained to organize a community service project and outdoor recreational activity.

Applications are available now through Wednesday, July 22, at all Teen Center locations weekdays between noon and 6 p.m. Space for the camp is limited to 90 teens and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No leadership or camping experience is required to attend. Participation includes bus transportation, camping gear, meals and activities.

Parents of teens interested in participating in the Outdoor Youth Connection Camp are encouraged to attend one of three orientation and information sessions taking place:

• Tuesday, July 7, 5:30 p.m., at the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
• Thursday, July 9, 5:30 p.m. at the Cal Rec Community Center at McBride Park (1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.)
• Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m., at the Cal Rec Community Center at McBride Park (1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.)

Long Beach's participation in the Outdoor Youth Connection Camp is funded by a portion of a $175,000 Outdoor Equity Grant, created through AB 209 and administered by the California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services.

In addition to the Outdoor Youth Connection Camp, PRM hosts a variety of engaging personal, social and recreational programs, activities and volunteer opportunities year-round for teens ages 13 to 18 at six Teen Center Program locations throughout Long Beach.

Discover PRM's full lineup of parks, facilities, programs and services available for the Long Beach community at LBParks.org.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is available at LBParks.org and by following us @LongBeachParks on Facebook, Instagram and X.

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