Llamas del Sol

The Llama Your Way Outdoors Program provides multi-touch, experience-evolving outdoor education that introduces youth and families to New Mexico’s landscapes through the gentle guidance of trained llamas. The program serves disadvantaged youth ages 6–18—including students from Title I schools, Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and families with limited outdoor experience—inviting participants from Bernalillo, and neighboring counties. Our goal is to foster empathy, confidence, and stewardship while creating joyful, memorable connections with the natural world and our trained llamas, many of whom have overcome neglect. These animals teach patience, trust, and relational skills, offering a therapeutic and relatable experience similar to equine-assisted therapy. Programming is in three interconnected tiers, meeting youth at their current comfort level and progressively deepening engagement. Tier-1: First Steps introduces large groups to outdoor environments and llama companions through 1–2 hour sessions at schools or Llamas del Sol, if transported. Activities focus on safe interactions, unique domestic relationships with humans, cultural and individual histories, introductory herd management, and ecosystems. Tier-1 is inclusive and accessible, allowing youth with mobility needs or other disabilities to participate fully. Each year, Tier-1 sessions will serve at least 500 youth. Tier-2: Meet & Greet Connections provides hands-on learning for smaller groups who have already completed Tier-1. We teach llama anatomy, behavior, deeper understanding of herds and care, while exploring our ecological connections and symbiosis, their low-impact to the land, highly efficient use of grasslands, stewardship, and herd health. Participants practice movement and spatial fundamentals towards basic llama handling skills under supervision, cultivating empathy, responsibility, and respect for animals and their environment. This 2 hour activity for 200 youth annually occurs at Llamas del Sol, with trained llamas in a supportive environment on eight acres. Tier-3: Llama Trek Adventures offers small-group treks of 3–4 hours for participants who have completed prior tiers. Groups of 4–12 explore the Bosque, Rio Grande, Sandia foothills, open spaces, or natural private lands to practice stewardship, teamwork, and nature observation in authentic outdoor settings. Transportation is coordinated by schools or families. Approximately ten Tier-3 treks each year for 50 total participants provides immersive experiences with a facilitator certified in Wilderness First Aid. Families are encouraged to participate sharing in learning and discovery. Llamas offer living lessons in resilience and trust-building, creating a unique emotional and educational bridge with animals and nature. Programs are adaptable for mobility needs or other disabilities, ensuring equitable access. Together, these experiences will reach 500 youth, providing engagement with ecological principles, and multi-touch learning that evolves over repeated interactions. Receiving this grant will allow us to expand our current limited outreach. Unlike a petting zoo; this program engages youth in structured, standards-aligned outdoor and social-emotional learning with a curriculum and educational content. We also have a pathway for interested youth to explore future volunteer, internship, or staff opportunities. From the first encounter to a full llama trek, the program provides equitable access to the outdoors—reminding participants that nature and llamas can be a steadfast, patient companion on the journey to nature and stewardship.