Program Summary

From the Hood to the Woods immerses 12 urban youth in a transformative STEAM-based wilderness experience on 33 acres of forested watershed along Reeves Creek, Stockbridge, GA. This program connects young people to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through hands-on environmental education, while restoring ecologically and culturally significant land historically stewarded by the Muscogee (Creek) people.

Participants gain practical skills in watershed science, sustainable agriculture, conservation, and ecological engineering, including invasive species removal, native plant restoration, streambank stabilization, and repurposing natural materials into functional art and tools. Simultaneously, youth strengthen critical social-emotional skills—resilience, teamwork, mindfulness, and leadership—through guided wellness practices such as meditation, breathwork, and immersive outdoor exploration. By linking STEAM education with vocational skill-building, the program inspires curiosity, academic engagement, and pathways to careers in sustainability, environmental science, and green technology.

Program Description

Structure: Six-week Scouting Program (Saturday morning–Sunday afternoon)
Location: Timbuktu ATL, Atlanta, GA to Righteous Family land located at  33-acre Reeves Creek Watershed, Stockbridge, GA
Participants: 12 youth, ages 14–18, recruited through community partners
Staff: Program Coordinator, certified wilderness guides, holistic wellness practitioners, conservation specialists, and volunteers

Program Highlights: 

• Recidivism
• Violence prevention
• Civic responsibility
• Conflict resolution & team-building
• Personal Development
  • Abstinence/safe sex, other men’s conversational topics
• Environmentalism 
  • wildlife & plant conservation
  • Watershed restoration
  • Agriculture education
  • Outdoor recreation

Curriculum Highlights:

• Outdoor Recreation & Wellness: Hiking, horseback riding, archery, meditation, and breathwork to build confidence, resilience, and connection to nature.
• Agricultural Education: Hands-on permaculture, edible tree guilds, and soil stewardship to teach sustainable land management practices.
• Wildlife Conservation: Removing invasive species, planting native flora, and studying local wildlife to promote biodiversity and ecological literacy.
• Watershed Restoration: Streambank stabilization, erosion control, and habitat repair to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
• Sustainable Vocations: Woodworking, milling, bushcraft, foraging, and repurposing invasive and rivercane materials to expose youth to green career pathways.

Month	Milestone
Month 1	Finalize staff, curriculum, and land prep
Month 2	Conduct site clearing and initial invasive removal
Month 3-4	Weekend sessions 1-3 Week 1: orientation & introduction Week 2: visit land (not staying the night) Clean up and foraging Fire making Bushcraft Week 3: learning how to set up camp Shelter-building Survival training
Month 5	Weekend sessions 4-6, (week 6) family celebration ceremony  Week 4: Spend night on land Archery **paintball Week 5: Spend night on land Horseback riding **paintball Week 6: Surprise Camp out with family Parents attend Horseback riding Archery
Month 6	Program evaluation, documentation,  and reporting

** indicates possible activity 

Project Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Empower youth through immersive nature and wellness experiences

• Objective 1.1: Engage 12 youth in six weekend sessions featuring camping, archery, horseback riding, and mindfulness practices to build resilience, confidence, and connection to nature.

Goal 2: Restore ecological balance and biodiversity on the watershed

• Objective 2.1: Remove invasive species and reintroduce native plants—including rivercane and perennials—across 33 acres to improve habitat quality and watershed health.

Goal 3: Introduce vocational pathways in sustainability and conservation

• Objective 3.1: Provide hands-on training in woodworking, bushcraft, and sustainable agriculture, equipping youth with practical skills and exposure to green careers.

By program completion:

• Greenspace Engagement (>85%): Increased participation in outdoor activities to support positive mental health and wellness outcomes.
• Social-Emotional Skill Development (>85%): Facilitated leadership, teamwork, and communication through structured social-emotional learning activities.
• Agriculture & Preparedness Training (>80%): Delivered hands-on agriculture education and emergency preparedness instruction.
• Environmental Stewardship (>80%): Led guided wildlife conservation, watershed restoration, and outdoor recreation initiatives
• Ecological benchmarks (>10%): acres cleared, invasive species removed, and native plants established with each cohort
• Stakeholder satisfaction (>90%): referral partners, participant, and vendor feedback for continuous improvement

Evaluation Plan

• Pre/post surveys measuring youth resilience, confidence, and engagement.
  
• Ecological benchmarks: acres cleared, invasives removed, native plants established.
  
• Documentation of species observed via photos, journals, and camera traps.
  
• Stakeholder, partner, and participant feedback for continuous improvement.

Scalability

• Hosting youth with disabilities 
• Donated transportation to/from land (sprinter van/Uber & Lyft giftcards/MARTA cards)
• Clearing 33-acres