Happy Trails for Kids is a non-profit organization that aims to provide stability, self-esteem and a They are separated from siblings, relatives and friends.
Nearly one hundred times a day, a child in California is placed in foster care because of severe abuse or neglect. In Los Angeles County alone, there are over 30,000 boys and girls in the foster care system. Although the child welfare system is built to protect youth, too often these children are exposed to additional trauma once placed in foster care. Frequently moved from home to home, they enco
unter a stream of new caretakers, schools, therapists and peers. Not surprisingly, without stability and proper support, foster children face an exceptionally high risk of unemployment, homelessness and incarceration as adults. More than 50% do not graduate from high school and only 3% will earn a college degree. To combat these statistics, Happy Trails for Kids provides overnight summer camps, year-round alumni events, and older youth programs that help our campers prepare for life after foster care. We impart meaningful stability and a sense of community. We infuse fragile young lives with laughter, joy, happy memories and exciting experiences. We teach our children that in spite of their circumstances, they have a circle of support surrounding them and hope for a better future.
“Everything about Happy Trails is special to me because I’ve had the chance to meet other kids in foster care, make new friends and do things I might never get to do because they’re not available to everybody, like swimming and canoeing.”
Camper Success Stories
"Happy Trails for Kids is a safe haven for foster youth. Every year we see new and returning campers excited to be in a place where they can truly be themselves. No one will be judged because they do not live with their parents, but loved because they have loving spirits."
- Jasmine, Counselor & Former Foster Youth
“Happy Trails is a really good place for kids to be because it’s a lot of fun. It’s a good place for all the kids having a hard life and struggling and things like that. Happy Trails bring joys to kids’ hearts and makes their lives a little bit easier."
- Kevin, Camper, Age 10
“I like Happy Trails a lot and I like going camping a lot. Swimming in the pool and hiking were the most fun things. The counselors were nice and they get along with the kids with a lot. I made good friends - they were so happy and they were never mad! I think everyone who went to camp would want to go back again.”
- Kelsey, Camper, Age 9
06/10/2026
Right now, Happy Trails for Kids serves hundreds of children each year through camps and year-round programs. But with a permanent property, that impact could grow from 500 children annually to nearly 5,000.
The first week of summer camp is here... and for so many foster kids, that means a week of adventure, friendship, laughter, and the chance to just be a kid again. ☀️🏕️
Tomorrow, campers will arrive at Happy Trails for a week filled with laughter, adventure, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime.
The cabins are ready.
The campfires are waiting.
The horses are saddled up.
And our team cannot wait to welcome these incredible kids back to camp.
For children in foster care, Happy Trails is more than just a summer camp...it’s a place where they are encouraged, supported, celebrated, and free to just be kids.
We’ll see you tomorrow, campers. 💙
06/03/2026
The odds aren’t stacked in their favor…
That’s exactly why moments like this matter.
Happy Trails gives kids something bigger than statistics —
belief, encouragement, and a glimpse of what’s possible.
Because confidence doesn’t start in a classroom…
it starts when someone sees you.
06/03/2026
06/03/2026
🌊🐠 Our Happy Trails for Kids team spent the weekend at Staff Development diving deep and discovering their potential as we prepared for an unforgettable summer!
With our 2026 theme, “Under the Sea: Dive Deep & Discover Your Potential,” staff members challenged themselves, strengthened teamwork, and embraced our core values of Confidence, Leadership, and Respect. Through training, team-building, and hands-on preparation, we grew stronger together and equipped ourselves to provide the safest, most meaningful, and most memorable camp experience possible for our campers.
The countdown is almost over, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome our campers for a week filled with adventure, friendship, growth, and lifelong memories.
🌊 Dive Deep.
⭐ Discover Your Potential.
💙 Change a Life.
06/02/2026
⏳ FOUR DAYS TO GO! ⏳
In just 4 days, campers will arrive at Happy Trails for a week filled with adventure, friendship, laughter, and moments they’ll never forget.
The countdown is getting real...
• Cabins are ready
• Campfires are waiting
• Horses are saddled up
• Lifelong memories are about to begin
For children in foster care, Happy Trails is more than camp...it’s a place to belong, feel supported, and simply enjoy being a kid.
We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to camp.
05/30/2026
⏳ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏳
In just 7 days, campers will arrive at Happy Trails for another unforgettable summer filled with adventure, laughter, friendship, and hope.
For children in foster care, camp is more than a getaway...it’s a chance to build confidence, experience joy, and create memories that last long after summer ends.
The cabins are getting ready. The horses are waiting. The campfires are almost lit.
We can’t wait to welcome our campers home to Happy Trails.
05/27/2026
Some children in foster care have spent their entire lives wondering if they truly belong.
Acceptance changes that.
Not because it erases the pain… but because it tells a child:
“You are wanted here.”
“You are safe here.”
“You matter here.”
As we continue our Foster Care Awareness Month series, the letter “A” stands for Acceptance.
Every child deserves to be seen, valued, and loved for exactly who they are.
05/25/2026
They gave everything.
We remember… and we don’t forget why it matters.
05/25/2026