Building a Better Future Together

Archive Post from December 6th, 2016

At the time of its founding in 1988, Trips for Kids was a one woman enterprise. Today, Trips for Kids is a multinational organization and one of the most influential cycling charities in the United States. How did we do it? Hint - it wasn’t alone.
“The first few trips we took, we weren’t yet a non-profit...I wanted to see: Do I like it, do the kids react well, and do the volunteers like it? We took them out to Point Reyes, and Point Reyes Bike Shop let us borrow bikes for the kids and we rode out to the seashore. The kids loved it. So did I.” - TFK Founder, Marilyn Price
Our work is made possible by the support of our partner organizations; over the last 28 years, Trips for Kids has benefited greatly from the opportunity to work with over 400 youth development program partners in the Bay Area. As a community-based program, partnerships are the foundation of our organization - they are a huge part of Trips for Kids’ growth and continued success. [For more info on our program partners see Trips for Kids' Annual Report 2015.] 
Relationships, collaboration and teamwork not only make Trips for Kids possible, they make this organization great. The feedback we get from our partners and participants highlights how important it is for children and young adults to have opportunities to get outside and connect with peers over sharing new experiences. Being social and trying new things are building blocks for shaping productive, positive, healthy and successful children.
As one of our participants said,
"I get to experience nature in a different way and meet new friends. I feel like I accomplished a goal at the end of the ride by experiencing things along with other people, maybe things they haven't experienced before."

"The day of biking shows us how human we each are (including me, their teacher!). Overall, it’s a true day of bonding for the class and gives us a nice sense of community, teamwork and accomplishment. - Teacher from Oakland, CA
Trips for Kids Marin has served over 30,000 children from incredibly diverse backgrounds and walks of life. These youth make up the lifeblood of this organization and their stories serve as powerful reminders that making connections and building relationships are crucial for developing healthy children and healthy communities.
In the words of a few of our partner organizations,
“The connections that are forged on these trips enrich our work beyond measure. Conversations are still referenced weeks later, and the relationships and trust that are made can last a lifetime. My first batch of high school students is now in their 30s, and when we run across each other, it is not uncommon for a memory from a Trips for Kids’ excursion to be recalled.”

“The kids have gained a tremendous ability to cooperate and work as a team. The kids learn a lot about themselves and the natural environment. A sense of teamwork and also community becomes instilled among the kids that participate in Trips for Kids. The lessons are long lasting and resonate far after the trips end.”
Trips for Kids is much more than an organization; it is a movement. We are working to build a better future together in partnership with our participants, volunteers, donors and sponsors - JOIN US!