NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – School is out and parents everywhere are thinking about how to keep their kids from becoming couch potatoes this summer.  

Families will also be seeking recreational activities and trying to plan a quality outing on a budget.  

Those willing to venture outdoors in the Golden State will find lots of things to do – kid-friendly and pocketbook-friendly, too.  

If you are looking for creative summer boredom-busters, look no further than the Youth and Families in the Outdoors Program (YO!) hosted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

“It’s amazing how many outdoor opportunities are available in every corner of the state,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “From fishing lessons to guided nature tours, each of these events serves to encourage a deeper understanding of our wildlife and natural resources and cultivates a desire to learn about them.”

YO! maintains a calendar of kid- and family-friendly summer events around the state, including those sponsored by organizations and nonprofits unaffiliated with CDFW.

To find the perfect summer opportunity, please check out the calendar at www.dfg.ca.gov/yo .

The calendar will be updated regularly so please check back throughout the summer months.

YO! is a collaborative effort between CDFW and a number of outdoors-oriented foundations and organizations around the state.

Its purpose is to facilitate the conservation, enhancement and restoration of our fish and wildlife and habitats through the education and participation of our youth in California’s outdoor heritage.

If you know of a family or youth-friendly outdoor event that is not listed on the calendar, please contact YO! at 916-322-8933.