The Venture Free Foundation

The Venture Free Foundation is an outdoor education-based nonprofit operating in the greater coast side area. We offer after-school and summer programs for children in elementary and middle school while also helping facilitate Adventure focused leadership clubs at Carlmont and Half Moon Bay high schools. Founded in 2014 by Emily Phelps, the Venture Free Foundation has reached 11 schools with their Outdoor Adventure Programs and has opened its first after-school childcare center at Kings Mountain Elementary in 2018. Venture Free has also begun after-school outreach programs that partner with teachers and administrators to offer outdoor exposure and experiences to children who not only benefit greatly from a non-traditional learning environment, but who would otherwise not be able to afford such programs.

Venture Free is dedicated to giving all children access to the great outdoors and the incredible experiences that come with those opportunities. We structure our programs so that children have consistent exposure to nature and the problem-solving and critical thinking challenges that nature provides. Our campers learn basic camping and survival skills, try new sports such as rock climbing, surfing, and hiking, and develop leadership and teambuilding skills. Through a blend of guided and self-directed activities, campers develop a personal connection with the natural world rooted in environmental stewardship. Venture Free prides itself in creating opportunities to build self-confidence, practice group communication, and learn critical skills such as problem-solving and improvising.

Our goal is that all of our children can play outside and be active the way children should: by interacting with the natural world in a fun, non-competitive environment that sparks enthusiasm for a lifestyle of adventure! Though we continue to expand our outreach, our impact can be best described by the close personal connections our campers create with our counselors and their peers, and how these relationship-building skills branch out into their daily lives. When asked to describe Venture Free's positive impact, one camper from our Daly City outreach program remarked, "VF has helped me make friends with kids at school I used to get into fights with." Another student replied, "VF makes me feel smarter in school and has taught me to control myself better... Now when I am angry I am better at not losing control and being nice to my peers." These are a few of many examples of Venture Free's impact.

Testimonials

"In Outdoor ed we were outside most the time, but when we weren't we were playing games, Outdoor ed happens once in a lifetime but it didn't make me want to be outside more. VFF is different because it's long term and I get to bury my feet in the sand and play in the waves. It makes me like the outside. " - Ruben, Outreach camper

"In my free time I used to play video games. Now I ask my mom to take me to the beach!" - Fernando, Outreach camper

"Thank you so much for the wonderful experiences you have created for our children! Cam has become so much more confident and we owe it to your programs." - Stacey, Scholarship Parent

"Thank you for taking Quinn on so many exciting adventures! She loves spending time with you and exploring new trails, waterfalls, beaches, and forests :) You bring out the very best in her! She can't wait to join you again this summer." - Sam, Parent

" VFCC rocks after school care! My daughter loves the variety of free choice activities both indoors and outdoors. From climbing mother oak to wading in the dinghy pool or making forts in the woods there is so much laughter from both kids and counselors. My kid doesn't want to get picked up." - Lesli, VFCC Parent

"VFCC is more than an after school program. It is a place where my kids can build forts in the redwoods, play basketball, write stories, design stone patios, make french fries from scratch or curl up and read. And even more importantly it's a place where they feel loved and supported by the incredible VFCC staff who knows each one of these kids and supports their development and growth. My kids beg me to let them go to VFCC every day and are always upset that I've picked them up too early." - Nora VFCC Parent