Students Paddle Mission Creek

There are lots of things moving at Mission Creek Park. Overhead, traffic zooms off 280, while trains pull away from the nearby Caltrain station. Less noticeable, tucked behind the new Park Terrace condos, is a shed filled with kayaks. Breakthrough students made use of them on a recent Saturday morning, guided by instructors from UCSF Outdoor Programs. They learned the basics on dry land, then carted the kayaks down the boat ramp and into the water. They were soon paddling around the freeway pylons, under the 3rd and 4th Street Bridges, and into McCovey Cove. (There was a night game unfortunately, so no home run balls).

 

It was a true adventure without the need to go far. Like our other outdoor education trips, it exposed our students to a pursuit they might not otherwise take part in – but which, as California residents, is part of their cultural heritage.

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My students were growing personally and academically each week. Their dedication inspired me to work harder to ensure that they were getting something out of every one of my lessons.

- Bertha Romo, UC Berkeley 2012, former Breakthrough teacher

 

 

I want to go to college because no one in my family has gone. I’ll be the first one.

- Anderson, former Breakthrough student