Fishing, Games and Friendship Bring ROOTS Students Together at Chollas Lake Park

Date: November 2, 2024

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Chollas Lake Park, 6350 College Grove Dr., San Diego, CA 92115

SAN DIEGO — ROOTS volunteers and refugee students gathered at Chollas Lake Park on November 2 for a day of fishing, a scavenger hunt, group games, and outdoor recreation.

The field trip offered participants an opportunity to try activities outside ROOTS’ regular STEM curriculum. Volunteers helped students with fishing while teams worked together during the scavenger hunt and games. For some students, the outing provided a chance to experience an activity or part of San Diego they had not explored before.

The relaxed setting also created more time for students and volunteers simply to talk, laugh, and get to know one another. Those relationships are an important part of ROOTS because many students return for multiple camps, STEM Days, and field trips throughout the year.

Free lunch was provided for all participants. The Chollas Lake outing reflected ROOTS’ broader goal of creating not only educational opportunities but also a welcoming community where refugee youth can explore, make friends, and build a stronger sense of belonging.

About ROOTS

ROOTS, the Refugee Children’s Organization for Tech and Science, is a youth-led volunteer organization dedicated to expanding access to STEM education and enrichment opportunities for refugee children in San Diego. Through partnerships with refugee-serving organizations, schools, universities, and community institutions, ROOTS organizes free STEM camps, STEM Days, educational field trips, book drives, benefit concerts, and other programs designed to build curiosity, confidence, friendship, and community among young learners.