Five Years of Semillitas Outdoors

When Cassandra first moved to San Diego as a young, single Latina mother, the region's green spaces felt intimidating and inaccessible. She lacked the resources, financial means, and cultural representation to feel truly welcome in outdoor recreational spaces. It wasn’t until a community of friends introduced her to camping that the outdoors became a space for her and her daughter to deepen their relationship, find healing and belonging, and most importantly, practice play.

Today, Cassandra’s role with Latino Outdoors(Se abre en una nueva ventana) (LO) has brought that journey entirely full circle. Having joined LO in 2018 as a volunteer, she has since moved into a staff role and supported this year’s San Diego Semillitas Outdoors event.

“I am privileged to help create the exact networks of care and caretaking I once longed for. Witnessing our youth and families claim space safely, culturally, and completely free of charge is a powerful realization of mutual aid and that juntos we are better. Our youth teach us to remain curious and find awe in nature. After the event, riding my bike to meet a group of friends at the park, I carried that beautiful, intergenerational energy with me—a vibrant reminder that Latino Outdoors is a vital service for the health, wellness, and caretaking for our gente, future generations, and nature,” said Cassandra.

Every spring, Latino Outdoors celebrates its youngest community members during Semillitas Outdoors Week. Semillitas means “little seeds” in Spanish. This week is dedicated to creating opportunities for kids to grow through experiences in nature​. The invitation to play outside can be a bit less intimidating when it comes from people who look and sound like you. LO handles the logistics, food, and gear, making it easy for parents to encourage outdoor play.

On a foggy April morning, LO San Diego hosted a nature walk and park play at Sweetwater Park adjacent to Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. This is a new park along the San Diego Bay located in a neighborhood that hasn’t always felt welcoming for Latino families. The promise of outdoor exploration, tortas, and a game of lotería brought out semillitas and their families to explore the coastal chaparral. Kids observed stink bugs, identified native plants, and filled their packs with sticks and rocks they collected along the path.

“I love hearing the sounds of nature and seeing cool animals and going on different trails. I have a feeling that every single kid should be outside more often because it helps them be one with nature and to calm themselves down from stressful things. Nature is really fun,” said Joaquin, a San Diego youth, when asked about what he likes about being outdoors.

San Diego parent, Roman, drove across town to bring his daughter to the semillitas event to expose her more to nature and to socialize with other kids. By mid-day, the semillitas had become friends, explored a new place, and learned about their local ecosystem.

Connecting with nature looks different for everyone. This spring, Latino Outdoors hosted 15 outings across the country, connecting more than 200 children to nature through caving, fishing, climbing, gardening, hiking, photography, and outdoor yoga. These events provide opportunities for youth and families to explore the outdoors and strengthen connections to their culture through shared experiences in nature all across the country.

“The outdoors offers a space for my kids to run around, explore, and ask all the questions. They can be themselves–whether that's climbing boulders, traversing trails, or laying in a meadow and taking in the sunset,” said a mom in New Mexico after spending a day of fishing with her kids during Semillitas Outdoors week.

​Although Semillitas Outdoors has come to a close for 2026, our little seeds will continue to grow. Latino Outdoors is committed to helping individuals and families build lasting connections with the outdoors year-round. Find resources for taking youth outdoors(Se abre en una nueva ventana) and join an event near you(Se abre en una nueva ventana) this summer.