Nature, Culture, and Community: Chicas Family Days
At Adelante Mujeres, we know that when we center community, culture, and connection, we open doors to powerful transformation. Our Chicas Youth Development Program is an example of a space where we create joyful and accessible experiences for about 700 Latine youth in grades 3-12 at 28 schools throughout Washington County, OR.
This year, 27 girls from our Chicas program graduated high school—a 100% graduation rate for all 12th grade participants!
Through the Chicas program, we build strong relationships with their families, leading to a more robust social network of support for young Latine women. One of the ways we build these connections is through our cherished Experiencia Ecológica family days.
These vibrant gatherings are more than just field trips. They’re acts of reclamation and celebration—moments where our community comes together to learn, explore, and grow in the natural spaces that have long been out of reach.
“The intention behind Experiencia Ecológica is to make outdoor spaces accessible that have historically been out of reach for our community,” shares Brianda Regalado, our Chicas Partnership Coordinator.
Rooted in Culture, Nourished by Nature
At the heart of these family days is a beautiful fusion between nature, culture, and food. Because la comida brings us together like nothing else! We had 332—223 youths and 109 adults—attend Experiencia Ecológica events this year.
In partnership with Bird Alliance and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD), we've hosted a series of themed nature events where every member of the family was invited to connect with each other and the earth.
In the fall, we kicked things off with “Pan Dulce y Pajaritos” at Fernhill Wetlands. Families gathered to enjoy pan dulce, learn about migratory birds, and reflect on the deep ties between Latine and Indigenous histories of movement and migration.
In February, we returned with “Ciclo de Agua y Churros,” exploring the life-giving cycle of water in our communities. Families ate churros and learned how our health, wellness, and environment are all connected.
Then came “Explorando Polinizadores y Pupusas,” with over 100 people attending. We learned about the power of pollinators, celebrated with delicious pupusas, and built bridges across generations and neighborhoods.
Most recently, “Mariposas y Cafecito” took place at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, beginning with conchas and coffee, and ending with lunch from El Popular. From butterfly crown-making to a community hike, the day was filled with wonder, warmth, and symbolism. In Latine culture, butterflies represent migration—a theme that resonates deeply within our community’s collective memory.
What makes these events unique is the intentional inclusion of the entire family, making them multi-generational gatherings. We’ve heard again and again from parents who said, “I didn’t know this was in my backyard—we’ll be coming here more with our family.” And “My family and I had such a great time connecting with families and nature.”
From the Mountains to the Coast, Chicas Are Leading
Experiencia Ecológica events are also about building leadership. High school students get volunteer experience and stipends for leading stations during these events, which is part of how we create pathways of empowerment and tangible opportunities for our youth.
Outside of family days, our Chicas adventure all over Oregon. High schoolers kayak at Hagg Lake through a partnership with Adventure Without Limits. Our middle schoolers teamed up with SOLVE for a beach cleanup on the Oregon Coast where they learned about ocean pollution and took pride in giving back—with many of them seeing the ocean for the first time! And this July, we kick off our Experiencia Ecológica summer camp with 30 middle schoolers, ending with a camping trip full of memories.
A Community That Shows Up for Each Other
We’re deeply grateful to our partners Bird Alliance, THPRD, SOLVE, Adventure Without Limits. Every concha, every hike, every moment of awe in nature helps us build something bigger: belonging.
“When you show up for the community, the community learns to show up for each other,” Brianda says. “The Latine experience in America can be very isolating… but here we’re building friendships and building that community with each other.”
And that’s what makes these days unforgettable.
Together, we are growing something beautiful. Together, we reclaim joy, space, and connection.