San Francisco Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights
On October 18, 2014, the City and County of San Francisco signed a resolution recognizing the inauguration of the "San Francisco Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights" (see poster below) recognizing that "direct exposure to nature is a necessary component of a child's physical and emotional wellbeing, and cognitive development."
The following are the set of 10 outdoor experiences that every child growing up in this city has the right to, as well as some of the local organizations that work to support them:
1) EXPLORE ALL WILD PLACES IN THE CITY
The best introductory guide for field experiences in San Francisco is . This manual is free and is often provided with summer professional development workshops. The guidebook provides detailed prep tips to consider, bathroom locations, MUNI routes and ‘quick tips’ about each park. Important information about what to consider, how to pack and prepare are also included. Self-guided adventure booklets exploring wild jewels of the city can be purchased from (bulk discounts for SFUSD classes).
2) HARVEST AND EAT A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE
All SFUSD schools are going through, or have gone through Prop A Bond Renovations. A portion of bond funding is put aside to create usable, educational at each site. These spaces can directly support many CCSS and NGSS standards. If you are looking for inspiration for your own site, many and sites have excellent examples to borrow from. To have your students participate in this activity in a larger or more developed garden space, have your class to participate in the , or, reach out to the many amazing community gardens sponsored by . You can also use this to find where you can harvest fruit in public places.
3) PLANT A SEED AND WATCH IT GROW
Easily done within your classroom and transferred to your school’s outdoor green space. Observations of seed development not only satisfy many educational standards, but also help students connect to their community and environment in a fun and personal way. SFUSD sponsored FOSS kits provide basic supplies for elementary classrooms to support this activity. For school garden ideas and resources visit SFUSD’s You can also check out
4) VISIT AND CARE FOR A LOCAL PARK
Our , and provide supported stewardship programming for classrooms every single day of the week! Contact volunteer coordinators through the links to find out the best way to get your schools involved. The SF Parks Alliance has created this to help find local events and parks.
5) SPLASH BY THE OCEAN OR THE BAY
The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association provides fantastic and programming that encourages standards-based student exploration of San Francisco's Pacific coastline. For Bay-based experiences, contact the agency, which provides supported school group experiences along the Bay shoreline of San Francisco.
6) PLAY IN THE SAND OR MUD
Our own SFUSD Environmental Science Center (ESC) supports structured, sandy-beach exploration with elementary students on the second day of their overnight. Secondary students can participate in citizen science activities by participating in at Crissy Field, Baker Beach, Ocean Beach or Fort Funston.
7) DISCOVER URBAN WILDLIFE
Citizen Science projects are an excellent and engaging way for students to investigate what wild plants and animals share San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences regularly hosts gatherings for students of all ages. The provides an amazing facility that cares for many rehabilitated and non-releasable indigenous animals that students can learn from up close. and are both free (and simple) apps that you can use to record and share your wildlife observations with the scientific world (and get answers to unknown species).
8) SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
Our own SFUSD Environmental Science Center (ESC) houses one of the only two permitted camping spots within San Francisco. ESC camping is available for SFUSD fourth and fifth grade classes. If you are looking for something for secondary students, houses the only other camping spot within our city, and is open to PK-12.
9) CLIMB A TREE
Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Land’s End hosts the that provides a safe, accessible, tree-top teamwork challenge that is appropriate for students above the age of 10 and for administrative teams!
10) RIDE A BIKE
SFUSD’s happens each year in April. To organize a bike-train or safe bike route with your students, please contact the
The following are the set of 10 outdoor experiences that every child growing up in this city has the right to, as well as some of the local organizations that work to support them:
1) EXPLORE ALL WILD PLACES IN THE CITY
The best introductory guide for field experiences in San Francisco is . This manual is free and is often provided with summer professional development workshops. The guidebook provides detailed prep tips to consider, bathroom locations, MUNI routes and ‘quick tips’ about each park. Important information about what to consider, how to pack and prepare are also included. Self-guided adventure booklets exploring wild jewels of the city can be purchased from (bulk discounts for SFUSD classes).
2) HARVEST AND EAT A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE
All SFUSD schools are going through, or have gone through Prop A Bond Renovations. A portion of bond funding is put aside to create usable, educational at each site. These spaces can directly support many CCSS and NGSS standards. If you are looking for inspiration for your own site, many and sites have excellent examples to borrow from. To have your students participate in this activity in a larger or more developed garden space, have your class to participate in the , or, reach out to the many amazing community gardens sponsored by . You can also use this to find where you can harvest fruit in public places.
3) PLANT A SEED AND WATCH IT GROW
Easily done within your classroom and transferred to your school’s outdoor green space. Observations of seed development not only satisfy many educational standards, but also help students connect to their community and environment in a fun and personal way. SFUSD sponsored FOSS kits provide basic supplies for elementary classrooms to support this activity. For school garden ideas and resources visit SFUSD’s You can also check out
4) VISIT AND CARE FOR A LOCAL PARK
Our , and provide supported stewardship programming for classrooms every single day of the week! Contact volunteer coordinators through the links to find out the best way to get your schools involved. The SF Parks Alliance has created this to help find local events and parks.
5) SPLASH BY THE OCEAN OR THE BAY
The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association provides fantastic and programming that encourages standards-based student exploration of San Francisco's Pacific coastline. For Bay-based experiences, contact the agency, which provides supported school group experiences along the Bay shoreline of San Francisco.
6) PLAY IN THE SAND OR MUD
Our own SFUSD Environmental Science Center (ESC) supports structured, sandy-beach exploration with elementary students on the second day of their overnight. Secondary students can participate in citizen science activities by participating in at Crissy Field, Baker Beach, Ocean Beach or Fort Funston.
7) DISCOVER URBAN WILDLIFE
Citizen Science projects are an excellent and engaging way for students to investigate what wild plants and animals share San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences regularly hosts gatherings for students of all ages. The provides an amazing facility that cares for many rehabilitated and non-releasable indigenous animals that students can learn from up close. and are both free (and simple) apps that you can use to record and share your wildlife observations with the scientific world (and get answers to unknown species).
8) SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
Our own SFUSD Environmental Science Center (ESC) houses one of the only two permitted camping spots within San Francisco. ESC camping is available for SFUSD fourth and fifth grade classes. If you are looking for something for secondary students, houses the only other camping spot within our city, and is open to PK-12.
9) CLIMB A TREE
Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Land’s End hosts the that provides a safe, accessible, tree-top teamwork challenge that is appropriate for students above the age of 10 and for administrative teams!
10) RIDE A BIKE
SFUSD’s happens each year in April. To organize a bike-train or safe bike route with your students, please contact the
