About Woods Bay Area
Our History
WOODS was founded by Bay Area outdoors enthusiast, Tom Romary, as a Duke University Student who built an adventure program for Middle School and High School kids who were seeking to go on outdoor adventures. The program took off with backpacking trips, canoe trips, bicycle trips, rock climbing and overnight camping. Teachers and parent volunteers accompanied the teens who particpated with Tom's team of outdoor trip leaders. The result was teens who developed skills they could use for life -- enjoying the great outdoors, being able to pitch a tent and build a fire, cook a meal over a backpacking stove, and make friends that last a lifetime.
Tom is a Director at an Outdoor Adventure camp in New Hampshire in the summer, and during the school year he works here in the Bay Area while running programs with his volunteer trip leaders ( college men and women) for the WOODS program.
Our Vision
Woods Bay Area is aimed at enabling Oakland Area teens (Middle School and High Schoolers) to enjoy a variety amazing outdoor activities that we have right here living here in the Bay Area – from hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing to trail running, kayaking, surfing, fishing and sailing.
The goal is to develop both the skills and confidence in teens so that they have life long enjoyment to pursue these fun & healthy activities. Another goal is to develop new friendships and bonds outside of daily school activities, and to reduce a little bit of “screen time”!
The activities are after school during the weekdays, with occasional weekend activities planned as well.
The trip costs are nominal as we get most of our funding from donations.
Spring 2025 Program
- Hike to summit of Grizzly Peak in Berkeley
- Trail Running in Oakland Hills / Chabot
- Surfing at Linda Mar Beach Pacifica
- Mountain Biking at Chabot and Briones Parks
- Fishing and Kayaking in San Pablo Reservoir
- Bay Kayaking in Emeryville
- Triathlon in Napa in May
Support WOODS Bay Area
Volunteer to help organize trips and programs
WOODS Bay Area relies upon volunteers to not only lead the trips (college age men and women with outdoor leadership experience), but to organize food, gear, transportation and logistics for the activities and trips.
Donate to help fund programs
WOODS after school activities are essentially free to teens to participate (a nominal fee of $19 per activity covers basic costs).
Donate Gear for Activities and Trips
For surf and mountain bike trips, WOODS relies on local shops to "rent for free" mountain bikes/helmets and surf equipment (board/wetsuit).
Program Availability
Woods Bay Area has programs that are available to any Oakland area kids who want to having fun experiencing and enjoying the outdoors. Working with Cal Berkeley college men and women as "trip leaders" (many are in the outing club, mountain bike club, running club, etc), and also working with Oakland area teachers (Oakland Tech HS for example), teens learn about or programs and sign up.
Enter your email address to get more information on Trips for Spring 2025
Send an email to: Tom@WoodsBayArea.com