KinderCaminata
April 24, 2026Through an annual college-wide collaborative effort, kindergarten children, teachers and parents visit the college to learn about college and careers.
Proudly, over 200 Fullerton College faculty, students, staff, and administrators volunteer each year to make this event a success!
The goal of KinderCaminata is to provide a college experience that helps children and their families realize that a college education and career preparation are a possibility.
As kindergarten children get off their bus, they are met with welcome cheers from Fullerton College students, faculty, and staff! Student tour guides escort each of the groups around campus to various career stations. Each group attends a Welcome session where they meet campus leadership and learn about services. They then transition to participate in interactive workshops and demonstrations.
In the career stations, children participate in interactive learning experiences and activities. Fullerton College faculty and student clubs make learning come alive by hosting career stations such as Psychology – It’s All About the Brain, Biology – What Colors Are in My Candy? and Engineering & Technology Club – Builders of Tomorrow. A live DJ provides music and Buzzy the Mascot encourages dancing! Students in the Cosmetology Department do face-painting, Football and Soccer Teams host drills, the Veterans Resource Center facilitates an obstacle course, and many more activities hosted by the campus community. Throughout the morning, the campus is alive with the sounds of learning!
A History of KinderCaminata
Since 1995, KinderCaminata has been proudly hosted by Fullerton College every year.
The KinderCaminata experience was founded in 1993 by Galal Kernahan and Los Amigos of Orange County.
Other community colleges in the state host similar KinderCaminata events, including Santa Ana College and Cypress College.
Dr. Christine Lamm, Professor of Child Development and Education Studies (CDES), took charge of the KinderCaminata event in 1996 and was an active advocate for the importance of introducing children to college early in their educational journey. With the help of CDES professors Neva Root, Sharon Deleon, Thomas Chairomonte, Patti Green, ethnic studies professor Adela Lopez and many others, KinderCaminata transformed into what it is today.
After the death of Dr. Lamm in 2013, Diana Kyle, professor of psychology, took over as event coordinator to ensure the event’s success and continuation for the future. Throughout the years, the event has been organized by numerous departments across campus. Currently, KinderCaminata is organized by the Cadena Cultural Center.
Funded primarily through the Student Equity Fund and personal donations by faculty to buy supplies, KinderCaminata quickly became an important yearly educational field trip for kindergarten classes in local school districts. In 2013, after Dr. Christine Lamm retired and subsequently passed away, the KinderCaminata event was institutionalized by Fullerton College President, Dr. Rajen Vurdien. President Dr. Cynthia Olivo is committed to providing institutional support to continue this important tradition at Fullerton College for many years to come.
Instilling the Importance of Education
“¡Sí, se puede!” (Yes, you can!)
“¡Sí, se puede!” (Yes, you can!), is Dolores Huerta’s motto and has been the theme of KinderCaminata since the beginning in 1994. The primary goal is to plant the seeds of education at its earliest stages.
This county-wide program provides an interactive experience for kindergartners, their teachers, and families. Kindergartners are inquisitive, eager learners and during their first year of formal education they learn about their community and the many jobs and occupations needed to support the community.
It is never too early to instill the importance of a good education and staying in school to reach their dreams and goals. It is important to let students know early in their education that college can be a realistic part of their future – that college is for everyone and the path to future success!
How can I Help?
Volunteer Now!
We need at least 200 individual student, staff and faculty volunteers to help prepare materials beforehand and assist during the event. We need at least 50 faculty, academic and student services departments and/or student clubs to host interactive career stations.
All individual student volunteers must participate in a volunteer orientation and training session. Go online using the Sign Up button below for dates and times. Some classes with Service Learning requirements may arrange training during class time. Sample volunteer roles and tasks include:
- Kinder Buddy (Leading groups)
- Floater/Greeter
- Activity Station Supporter
Volunteer Sign Up
Activity Station Sign-Up
Activity stations are used to provide students the opportunity to be a college student for the day. The stations should be set up with a STEM or “Sí Se Puede!” (“Yes, you can!”) theme that matches a hands-on activity that is related to careers, college success skills or an area of study at Fullerton College. Activity stations should last no more than 12 minutes and must accommodate about 30 students. Activity stations must be age appropriate and accessible to all students.
Thank you for your interest!
Volunteers are positive roles models and are what makes KinderCaminata come alive for thousands of young children.