BREA : Urban Kids Test Outsider Approach

One way to help teens cope with the ills of urban living, Randy Gamboa figured, was to give them a break from the urban environment.

So, at age 19, he founded American Explorers and began taking high school and junior high school students on wilderness excursions.

That was in 1986. Today, the nonprofit, volunteer organization is struggling to keep up with the demand for its services.

“With the recent growth in our organization, we don’t have enough transportation,” said Gamboa, who has launched a fund-raising campaign to purchase an additional van. Paying for rental vehicles to use on the outings would make the trips too expensive, he said. As a result, teens now must sign waiting lists in hopes of going on outdoor adventures such as backpacking, rock climbing, white-water rafting and canoeing.

“What (the trips) teach the kids is very important,” Gamboa said. Adapting to extreme environments helps young people develop better values, leadership abilities and other assets “that will last them a lifetime.”

Because Gamboa was barely out of high school when he started American Explorers, gaining trust and respect in the community was not easy at first, he said. But perseverance paid off.

Three years ago, the organization was able to open a youth center in a space donated by the Brea Heights Shopping Center. Now, youth from ages 9 to 18 drop in for roller hockey, video games, table tennis and Tuesday night counseling sessions.

Providing guidance to American Explorers is a board of directors made up of elected city officials and business leaders, including Carl Karcher. Input is also provided by the youth themselves.

“The board really respects them,” Gamboa said. “It keeps us in touch with youth ideals.”

Information on American Explorers is available by calling (714) 990-1266.