June 2026 | eNewsletter

Dear Friends,

This week marks the official start of summer here at YES. Our first batch of this year’s campers are off, schools are letting out, and we’re abuzz with the unmistakable energy of a season filled with time outside.

As our team is putting in the hard work to prepare for a full calendar of camps, backpacking trips, day hikes, camping trips, and more, I’ve been thinking about the continued importance of play as we move beyond camper-age. 

Summer camp is often defined by its care-free joy and silliness: making new friends in an instant, laughter reaching up and across bunk beds all through the night, tie-dye stained hands, and almost no sense of time. As we get older, though, and these weeks are no longer scheduled for us, this time for play is traded for work and chores and the need to be productive.

But play isn't a luxury we leave behind in childhood; it's a vital piece of caring for ourselves, and in turn, those around us. It builds our resilience, clears our heads, and reminds us of the joy that exists outside of our to-do lists and responsibilities.

So, consider this your official go ahead to channel your inner camper this summer. Go lie in the grass and stare at the clouds, teach your kids an old “repeat after me” song and sing it together loudly, try a new activity and don’t worry if you’re bad at it, or just take a lingering, aimless walk along the shoreline. Give yourself permission to engage in the kind of care-free fun that has no goal other than to make you feel good.

If you need proof that play and accomplishment go well together, take a quick read through some of what our YES team has been up to below. And lastly, I hope you’ll join me in helping to make this season possible for our campers by donating to our annual Summer Campfire Campaign. By giving today through the end of this week, you can have your gift doubled–don’t miss out!

In community,

Eric Aaholm, Executive Director

It’s that time of the year again! The first session of YES summer campers are already settling into their cabins and over 150 more are eagerly awaiting their departure dates. 

Thanks to the support of institutional partners, we’ve already raised $125,000 toward the total cost of YES’s comprehensive summer camp program and now we need your help to raise the remaining $50,000.

To help close the gap, a generous donor is sponsoring our annual Bonfire Day 🔥 A chance for you to have your gift doubled! And because we know this season gets busy, we’re extending this matching opportunity through this Friday June 12th. 

That means any gift made now through the end of the week will have twice the impact and get us two times closer to our $50,000 goal. You can donate online or if you’d like to donate toward the match via check, respond to this email letting us know and make sure your gift is dated between 6/9 and 6/12.

Welcome new YES board members!

We’re so excited to welcome four new community members to the YES Board of Directors! 

Monica Way

Theophilus Little

Payal Patel

Zaira Sierra

Together they bring a diversity of lived and professional experiences that will support YES’s work, underpinned by a deep commitment to our community and a shared vision for a healthy and thriving West County.

All New Life Transitions Retreat Day

As our graduating high school seniors get closer to their big jump into young adulthood, our Wellness Specialist Alejandra teamed up with C3 Coordinator Vencel to offer a first-of-its-kind all day retreat to help them prepare for the transition.

Throughout the day, youth talked openly about excitements and worries, learned about campus resources, and gained insight into managing stress and wellness during the school year. They also heard from a panel of previous program graduates who shared their experiences about being first-generation college students, missing home, making new friends, and building support systems. Students walked away from the day with an image of their young adult self, thriving and supported, and clear steps toward that vision.

“My highlight was hearing from our panelists. We even had one panelist on zoom from her dorm! That was pretty special for our current C3 folks to get a glimpse of college life. They were vulnerable, transparent and shared powerful nuggets of wisdom [...] they said that this transition is ongoing even after their first year.” -Alejandra Hernandez

The Richmond shoreline comes alive in June with the aerial displays of the Caspian Tern. The largest tern species in the world, these striking waterbirds are easily recognizable by their dramatic contrast: bright coral-red beaks, snowy white bodies, and sharp black caps. Visitors to Point Pinole or the Richmond Marina can watch them hover gracefully over the San Pablo Bay before plunging headfirst into the waters to catch small fish. Before you spot them, you may hear their loud, raspy calls.

Beyond their captivating hunting displays, Caspian Terns play a vital role in our coastal ecosystem. As upper-level predators of small schooling fish, they help regulate local fish populations and serve as a key indicator of the health of our marine environment. Their active presence highlights the ecological value of local shorelines and mudflats, such as the Dotson Family Marsh, which provide essential foraging grounds during the busy summer breeding season.



Caspian Terns are just seasonal guests to our city, so you’ll want to head out to spot them before they begin migrating south for the winter!