The West Hills Community College District Outdoor Equity Program (OPEB) is a grant-funded program that allows community members to explore the outdoors and learn about the environment. The program is aimed at those who may have yet to have the resources or opportunity to experience the great outdoors and aims to provide an opportunity for self-exploration and education.
The program offers free trips to community members taking participants to state parks
and other natural resources to learn about the environment and how to care for it.
The program also allows community members to travel and experience the outdoors, something
many community members living in the WHCCD service area have yet to do. Overnight
trips are included; a lottery is used when more people sign up than available spots.
In-community activities held on the West Hills College Coalinga campus are integral to the OPEB program. These activities are held before each trip and are designed to prepare trip-takers for their upcoming exploration. During these activities, participants are given an idea of what to expect on the trip, including the types of supplies that will be provided for free.
Many people who sign up for these trips have never traveled outside of their community before. The in-community activities help to ease the minds of trip-takers and give them a better understanding of what to expect in the area they will be traveling to. By providing this information, trip-takers can relax and fully enjoy their adventure without worrying about the unknown.
During the recent trip to Sequoia National Park, trip-takers were provided with trekking poles, snow sleds, and snow clothing. The supplies depend on the trip type, including sunscreen, outdoor backpacks, canteens, and more. These supplies help partakers feel more comfortable and prepared for the adventure ahead.
These in-community activities also provide an informal introduction to the college. By holding them on the West Hills College Coalinga campus, community members who may have never visited the campus before are allowed to do so. This introduction can lead to further exploration of the college, ultimately leading to increased enrollment and involvement in college activities.
West Hills adjunct faculty are included on each OPEB trip. This ensures that education is always a part of each adventure. These faculty members teach about the area’s history, science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) topics, and art components. This educational aspect of the program is essential in providing trip-takers with experiences they can use in the future.
One of the program’s goals is to remove barriers for people and let them explore the outdoors. The program pays for participants’ travel, lodging, and meals during the trip.
OPEB is funded by a $700,000 grant from the California State Parks Outdoor Equity Program. The grant lasts for four years and will run until January 2026. Gabe Riofrio, Coordinator of Outdoor Education and Recreation, is proud of the program’s impact on the community. “It means a lot to me to have an impact on people,” said Riofrio. “Watching people be able to relax because we’ve removed barriers so they can explore, learn, and grow is a wonderful feeling.”
The West Hills Community College District Outdoor Equity Program is an excellent example of a community-focused program providing educational experiences and self-exploration opportunities.
“By removing barriers to participation and working with West Hills instructors that help to provide educational components, the program is making a real impact on the lives of community members,” said Riofrio. “This program is inspiring because it is helping to create a more equitable and accessible world for the people in the communities we serve.”
For more information on the program and the sign up for to see upcoming trips visit: https://westhillscollege.com/coalinga/info/outdoor-education/
