Summer Adventure on the Roaring Camp Train!

by | Aug 30, 2023 | Featured Articles, Watershed Rangers

Over the past six weeks, 33 students from Summer Fun! at Nueva Vista Community Resources have explored, discovered, and enjoyed protecting the lower San Lorenzo River. The adventures we had this summer were memorable for everyone and we did not want the fun to end, so we decided to have a final day of fun by going back to the river!  

The tranquil San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Funding from the Save the Redwoods League and California Department of Parks and Recreation allowed our final day of fun to be a trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park via the Roaring Camp Railroad train. All the Summer Fun! students got an invitation to ride the train and, as a bonus, they got to bring an additional youth and an adult! What is better than spending the day with family and friends exploring nature and for some experiencing the train for the very first time?  

The Roaring Camp train is a unique way to experience the beauty of the San Lorenzo Valley!

On the morning of July 21st, the Coastal Watershed Council (CWC) staff was joined by over 70 Lower San Lorenzo River neighbors of all different ages at Beach Flats Park to kickstart our adventure. Walking to board the Roaring Camp train was a crowd of smiling kids and parents ready to embark on a new adventure through the redwoods along the San Lorenzo River. When we got to the train station, the group made their way to a sandy beach at the river for lunch and free time at the river to splash around and enjoy the cool water on that sunny day.  

This amazing trip was a perfect blend of participants who have been coming on CWC trips to explore and protect the San Lorenzo River for years and those who had never once experienced the wild San Lorenzo River as it flows through sky-high redwoods of Henry Cowell. Whether it was their first time or fifth time, attendees rode the Roaring Camp train back to Santa Cruz with river sand in their shoes and yawns on their faces after an incredible river adventure! 

CWC is so proud to be a connector between our beloved community and the vital and beautiful San Lorenzo River.  

Watershed Rangers students support each other getting their feet wet in the San Lorenzo River

This community field trip would not have been possible without generous funding from the California State Parks Outdoor Equity Program with support from the Moca Foundation and of course the incredible Nueva Vista staff and Roaring Camp Railroads. Thank you for investing in healthy communities and a healthy San Lorenzo River. 
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