The document provides updates from 12 different Youth Activities League groups across Southern California for the month of July. Key activities mentioned include fishing trips, beach cleanups, museum visits, water rafting, leadership camps, and joint activities between different YAL groups like beach trips and fishing excursions. Many of the activities focused on environmental education, literacy initiatives, and building community.

1. YOUTH ACTIVITIES LEAGUE JULY NEWSLETTER ALTADENA CENTURY COMPTON EAST LOS ANGELES LAKEWOOD MARINA DEL REY NORWALK PALMDALE SANTA CLARITA SOUTH LOS ANGELES TEMPLE WALNUT WEST HOLLYWOOD

2. Altadena July 2011 For the month of July the students from the Altadena YAL went on a fishing trip to Marina Del Rey. The students had a great time fishing on the boat, some for the very first time. The students learned about the fish in the area and about boat safety, all while enjoying some fun and sun. One student who is an avid fisher and fishes on a regular basis caught 5 fish. All of the fish that were caught were released back into the ocean. To end the day, the YAL went to Venice beach to eat lunch. .

3. CENTURY Y.A.L July 2011 For the month of July our kids participated in a wet land clean up with El Dorado Parks and Recreations. The kids learned the importance of a wet land and why its so important to keep it clean. Our mentees showed great enthusiasm to do their part and filled seven trash bags. As instructed by marine staff our kids were also very careful not to harm or disrupt any wild life while cleaning. Both East LA and Norwalk YAL joined us on the clean up. As a result, the kids had the opportunity to mingle with new and old faces.

4. Compton Y.A.L July 2011 Summer is in full swing but with school just around the corner Students here have been involved with the reading program and to share the excitement with others. Some of the students got together to design bookmarks. Over 80 bookmarks were designed. Once the bookmarks were completed they were dropped of at two of the local libraries for anyone to take for free. On the back of each bookmark it had the YAL contact information.

5. EAST L.A. Y.A.L July 2011 We started off the summer with a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. We got to visit one of the areas best museums and appreciate art from various time periods and locations. Later in the week we joined the Anaheim, Temple, and West Hollywood YALs and spent a nice day at the beach. It was a great opportunity for us to all get to know each other. Once again we joined the Temple YAL to go on a fishing trip off the coast of Marina Del Rey. For many kids it was their first time fishing and they had a lot of fun catching fish and learning about the environment.

6. Lakewood Y.A.L July 2011 On Friday , July 15th the Lakewood YAL traveled to Bakersfield, CA to embark in a water rafting adventure. All who attended were first time rafters. The group enjoyed two trips down the river and lunch before heading back home. During the week of July 18 – 21, the members of the Lakewood YAL, Deputy Malcolm and Ms. Sandra learned basic sailing techniques. The youth learned quickly, on the fourth day they engaged each other to a race around Newport Beach.

7. Marina Del Rey Y.A.L July 2011 During the Summer YAL, the kids are taken on various field trips throughout the month. These field trips allow the kids to learn about and experience new things and have some fun. For this month, the kids were able to go ice skating, swimming, bowling, and to the Griffith Observatory.

8. Norwalk Y.A.L Juiy 2011 The YAL kids picked up trash, oil, and, other debris to give the habitats a clean environment to live in.` The boys and girls enjoyed a little fun with their friends at the Norwalk aquatics center and park. We’re teaching the Norwalk YAL kids to walk on water. We are having fun in the sun while staying cool in the pool.

9. Palmdale Y.A.L July 2011 Camp Courage was a leadership camp for girls. They were competing, teambuilding skills, archery, and also overcoming fear of heights (for some) They participated in water wars, zip lining, hiking, arts and crafts, and just great fun. With the addition of them making new friends. Even after having to evacuate because of the nearby fires. The community service project of the kids having a dance in the gym. Finding a way to beat the heat and have fun in the cooling center.

10. SANTA CLARITA Y.A.L July 2011 This month we implemented an educational field trip for our kids instead of the traditional fun trips we do. So, we decided to take the children to the Natural History Museum. Here the children had a chance to learn about animals, insects, and minerals. The children seemed to have a blast, they were running from exhibit to exhibit. They were able to learn about animals and their natural habitats and interesting facts about all of them. I believe the kids enjoyed the bug exhibit the most because they were able to be hands on and got to see live animals instead of stuffed ones. They were able to see bugs they have never seen before and had the chance to ask professionals questions they had. Overall the kids enjoyed their day at the museum saw a plethora of animals they have never seen before. They spent a majority of their time reading about the animals and wanted to walk through the museum one more time. When we asked the children if they enjoyed the museum they all screamed and said yes. So there is a possibility we take the kids back for another trip there.

11. South LA y.a.l July 2011 We began our B.E.A.R. program this month and the kids really love it. We chose the kids for B.E.A.R. by having them write an essay on why they would like to be in B.E.A.R. They replied with all kinds of heart warming responses. We could only choose six kids for this class session. There are many kids that cant wait to get into the next class. We just started to beak down the bikes to clean them up and the kids are having a blast. They are also doing a great job helping each other out and making sure no one gets left behind. .

12. Temple Y.A.L July 2011 This month the Temple YAL had the opportunity to visit the LACMA in Los Angeles. They saw pieces by famous artist such as Picasso, Diego Rivera and Tim Burton. The kids went deep sea fishing this month in Marina Del Rey with the East LA YAL. For some of then this was their first time fishing or being on a boat. This month the kids conducted a beach cleanup. They collected trash and debris along the shore at Huntington beach for their community service project to help maintain the beautiful California beaches.

13. Walnut Y.A.L July 2011 This month the Walnut Sheriff’s Youth Activities League went on a field trip to Camp Pendleton with the Lakewood YAL. To the kids are making bookmarks to promote literacy for their community service project. Go Dodgers!!!

14. West Hollywood Y.A.L July 2011 The West Hollywood YAL visited the Huntington Beach along with the Temple and East LA YAL’s this month. They were able to swim in the ocean, build sandcastles and enjoy a beach bonfire. It was a great day to make new friends with the other YAL’s. The students continued their PenPAL class with the Harlem PAL this month. They wrote their penpals about all the exciting things they are doing for their summer vacation and enjoyed learning more about their pen pals