Fitness and Recreation

CLASS PARKS' extraordinary variety of program activities and locations offers something for almost everyone, and guarantees something new, exciting and different for its participants. Although the program focus and backdrop maybe vastly different from one trip to the next, CLASS PARKS' consistent program design and philosophy allows each participant to get the same “CLASS PARKS experience” regardless of which trip activity they choose.

The CLASS Parks Quest Program aspires to educate teens in adventure-based recreation through a progressive series of hands-on excursions and activities using city, county, state, and national parks.

Quest provides seasonal and year-round adventures serving at-risk youth in the greater Los Angeles area. The program offers introductory training and sequences of activities that challenge youth in a safe, natural ecosystem while encouraging teens to acquire new practical skills

The Program is designed to help youth build self-confidence and learn how to “manage fear” by gradually progressing from easy to more difficult adventure activities. Quest activities also strive to build trust, improve communication, stimulate personal growth, encourage camaraderie, increase enthusiasm, and teach awareness of the outdoors. Youth who have actively participated in Teen Clubs and are ready for the next step in outdoor exploration are eligible candidates for this Program. With diligent progression, new participants can ascend from Quest to Adventure Program Explorers (APEX) to experience a more intense, advanced, and challenging adventure curriculum.

But before the adrenalines rush, participants must first attend an Adventure Orientation Class which will set the tone for the whole expedition. The Adventure Orientation Class introduces young adventure-seekers to the exciting challenges that they may be confronted with in an uncontrived, natural ecosystem. Orientation is given in each district two times and includes training on a portable rock wall, a low ropes course and an orientation session that encompasses “Leave No Trace” instruction. “Leave No Trace” is a compulsory activity (required prior to attending any other adventure activity) that encourages youth to avoid or minimize negative human impact to natural resources and helps to ensure a positive recreational experience for all visitors of outback habitats.

Orienteering/Hiking/ Backpacking_______________________________________________________Back to Top
To get them in gear, teens are presented with opportunities to explore the outdoors and learn new skills necessary for a safe and fun hiking adventure. They learn how to use a map and compass, and apply these skills on a two-hour hike. In the following class, youth participate in a "competition" and a half-day hike, giving them more time to enjoy the scenery and familiarize themselves with others in the group. Subsequently, participants are taught to appropriately use hiking equipment in an overnight backpacking trip.

Horseback Riding______________________________________________Back to Top
Participants experience an informal and entertaining, hands-on experience on proper horse care, grooming, and saddling. They receive an understanding of basic riding techniques and enjoy a one-hour ride. A second session entails a half-day riding adventure and includes additional horse maintenance procedures.

Snorkeling______________________________________________________Back to Top
With the aid of professionals, participants learn how to float in comfort and safety, kick against a current, clear the mask and snorkel, and effectively dive underwater. These basic techniques and maneuvers are initially taught in a swimming pool, and more advanced training sessions are conducted in a lagoon and at the beach.

Fishing__________________________________________________________ Back to Top
Soaking bait, casting, patience, reflection, and coordination are skills and attributes that can all be learned in the fishing sessions. The Advanced session covers supplemental basic fishing techniques, such as equipment terminology, safety procedures, and a lake fishing experience.

Canoeing/Kayaking_____________________________________________Back to Top
The canoeing/kayaking session enriches teen's perspectives on nature while challenging their personal boundaries. Boat safety and control, hypothermia awareness, and paddling techniques are a few basic concepts taught by our enthusiasts at Hansen Dam and Marina Del Rey. Follow-up sessions are conducted for the participants to experience and appreciate canoeing/kayaking in lakes, oceans, and rivers.

Sailing___________________________________________________________ Back to Top
Sailing sessions offered at Hansen Dam and/or at Marina Del Rey offer teens the opportunity to discover essential techniques in sailing. Participants can learn about boat vessels, the art of sailing, navigation techniques, and wind propulsion.

Snowboarding__________________________________________________Back to Top
Being the country's fastest growing winter sport, the snowboarding session gives teens a chance to learn the secrets of snowboarding with basic instructions in a two-hour training lesson that includes a lower-mountain lift ticket. Teens are also offered the opportunity to learn new maneuvers on a full day snowboarding experience that includes a full-mountain lift ticket.

Bouldering/Rock Climbing_________________________________ Back to Top
This activity allows teens to experience the physical and mental challenge of rock climbing. Designed for the adventurous beginner, the first session is taught at Stoney Point and covers all aspects of rock climbing techniques for bouldering and traversing. The second class consists of authentic rock climbing on belay at Malibu Creek State Park.

Mountain Biking______________________________________________Back to Top
This mountain bike ride is “geared” for riders, beginning or advanced, who want to improve their mountain biking skills. It covers all the riding basics essential for a safe travel down the trail via two wheels. Instructions include riding techniques (successful gearing, brake modulation, ratcheting, etc.), bike repair and maintenance, safety gear, trail etiquette, and emergency procedures.

Camping_______________________________________________________Back to Top
This camping opportunity exposes teens to basic camping skills and techniques. New camping techniques learned in this session are combined with some of the aforementioned sessions (orienteering, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking) and applied to new, more challenging skill-comprehensive camping trips.

Snow Trips_____________________________________________________Back to Top
Participants take a trip to Frasier Park where skills learned in previous trainings are put into action. This trip provides great scenery, endless photo opportunities, and personal challenge to any adventure seeker. Sleds, toboggans, heaters, and hot chocolate are provided.