Camp Skyhook LA
Nature becomes the classroom.
Our flagship program: an immersive, hands-on experience that makes learning exciting by bringing it outdoors.
What is Camp Skyhook?
Hands-on, minds-on.
Camp Skyhook is our flagship program. It's an immersive experience that makes learning exciting by bringing it outdoors. 4th and 5th graders receive a hands-on/minds-on experience that inspires them towards a future in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math).
The program is sponsored by the Skyhook Foundation in collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District. The curriculum was developed by UCLA and NASA-Armstrong Flight Research Center. Children embark on a 5-day, 4-night program in the Angeles National Forest where nature becomes the classroom, providing a multidimensional and multisensory learning experience that is transformational.
Who attends Camp Skyhook?
All 4th and 5th graders enrolled in LA County Public Schools are eligible.
Currently, schools must wait 6 years to receive an invitation to Camp Skyhook.
72%
of students are English Language Learners
82%
of children participate in free or reduced lunch programs
70%+
have no or limited experiences in natural environments (mountains, oceans, national parks)
15,000+
homeless and foster youth are eligible to participate
80
school districts within the LA County lines, placed together for a diversity of backgrounds, ideas and experiences
6-year
waitlist — we need your help to pursue this endeavor
Students attend camp with kids from different schools. In addition to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) children are taught to collaborate. Character development activities and our curriculum (developed by UCLA & NASA) promotes inclusion, team building and equity.
The Camp Skyhook difference
More than happy memories.
The camp provides time honored activities that kids love! This includes hiking, swimming, skits and camp fires. Our goal is to create "more than happy memories." We ignite and encourage a child's interest in STEAM.
- Children are inspired to think beyond being a "rap star, reality star, or sports star" and embrace positive life goals with achievable rewards.
- Children improve their sense of self-worth as they see, hear, taste and touch a bigger, more fascinating world than the one they've grown accustomed to.
- Children use iPads to solve botanical puzzles and biological challenges. They learn what's safe to eat and to drink in the wilderness — even how to gauge their whereabouts by starlight.
At Camp Skyhook, we believe that when a child's brain is stimulated at the right age and in the right way, curiosity will lead that child to seek out more information about science, technology, engineering and math. When children have fun and are engaged, the world opens up to them!
Kareem and the kids
Giving kids a shot that can't be blocked.
Camp Skyhook evaluation
Preliminary results indicate many positive outcomes.
In collaboration with Occidental College, a study of the effects of Clear Creek Outdoor Education Center (Camp Skyhook) began in the Fall semester of 2018. Pre-post survey data was collected from students and teachers and tabulated in February 2019.
82%
Appreciate nature more (look outdoors for general well-being)
68%
Will spend more time outside (great for physical and mental health)
78%
Think about the environment differently
80%
Will increase conservation behaviors (a positive for their community)
100%
of teachers reported an increase in student motivation
83%
of teachers reported improved learning of science content
Year-end giving
Donate $250 before December 15. Get a $50 adidas gift card.
—Days
—Hours
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Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Gift card expires December 30, 2026. Facilitated by the Skyhook Foundation.
The December 15 deadline has passed. You can still support Camp Skyhook with a donation of any amount.
Join Kareem and donate today