Young rangers learn to care for the land at China camp event

Delia Lehene, left, with husband Cosmin Lehene of Mill Valley with their children Alex, 6, and Ana, 4, head out to pick up litter during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Activities emphasizing stewardship for the junior rangers included picking up litter, creating art out of found objects and making signs focused on protecting the habitat of the park. Friends of China Camp program coordinator Carly Jackson-Clark said the event a huge success. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Amy Shin of Hayward with her 4-year-old daughter Maliah pick up litter along the beach during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day event at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Junior ranger pins for kids after activities are seen during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day event at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Activities for the junior rangers included picking up litter, creating art out of found objects and helping make a sign that emphasizes protecting nature. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Zac White, 6, of San Geronimo shows Friends of China Camp program coordinator Carly Jackson-Clark a sign he made during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day event at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Activities for the junior rangers included picking up litter, creating art out of found objects and helping make a sign that emphasizes protecting nature. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Amy Shin of Hayward with her 4-year-old daughter Maliah left, Friends of China Camp volunteer Paula O’Connell, Kai White, 8, of San Geronimo, and Chet Rakow, 7, his sister Fiona Rakow, 5 and their mom Tamara Mendelsohn of San Rafael work on art projects during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Activities emphasizing stewardship for the junior rangers included picking up litter, creating art out of found objects and making signs focused on protecting the habitat of the park. Friends of China Camp program coordinator Carly Jackson-Clark said the event a huge success. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Friends of China Camp volunteer Paula O’Connell, left, helps Kai White, 8, of San Geronimo, and Chet Rakow, 7, of San Rafael work on art projects during a Friends of China Camp family work-learn-play day event at China Camp State Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Activities emphasizing stewardship for the junior rangers included picking up litter, creating art out of found objects and making signs focused on protecting the habitat of the park. Friends of China Camp program coordinator Carly Jackson-Clark said the event a huge success. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)