YESS offers two different types of adventurous outdoor programs. While these programs are available to all young people in the greater Houston / Galveston Bay area, YESS focuses on students who are considered “at-risk” by their teachers, principals and counselors. Students are not charged to participate in YESS programs.

BAYSMART – BaySmart is the flagship program of YESS. This unique, exciting and adventurous program provides students with water-borne educational experiences aboard Coast Guard certified boats that serve as floating classrooms. During their BaySmart excursion, students observe and learn about the intermix of nature, industry and recreation. They learn about what has been done, what is being done and what is proposed relative to harmonizing the diverse interests in Galveston Bay. Students also see the application of school work to real-life situations.

OUTPOST 001 – This was the first outdoor adventure program offered by YESS. Outpost 001 is a hands-on program and introduces students to boating, sailing, fishing and wilderness camping.

YESS programs are designed to yield the following outcomes:

• Increased appreciation for the relevancy of school work
• Reduced number of school dropouts
• Decreased negative behavior / Increased positive behavior
• Reduced likelihood of youth gang involvement
• Increased opportunities for positive influence by adult role models
• Expanded, positive vision of future options
• Increased awareness of the need to preserve and protect critical natural resources
• Expanded community partnerships among businesses, school districts, civic organizations and concerned citizens for the benefit of community youth