KBBH Prevention Program Brings Free, Substance‑Free Fun to Klamath County Youth
Klamath Behavioral Health (KBBH), through its Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program (ADPEP), is expanding youth prevention efforts with a new series of free, age‑specific community events designed to support wellness, connection, and healthy development.
KBBH is offering prevention events throughout the year for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. Activities are grouped by age and are based on evidence‑informed prevention practices that promote healthy growth and resilience.
Since launching in 2025, the program has already reached more than 270 youth and family members through events such as Kickback at the Y, High School Neon Swim, Elementary Waves Swim, and Middle School Spring Break Splashdown. All events were offered at no cost and were safe and substance-free.
Funded through one‑time Opioid Settlement Funds, the program focuses on primary prevention by offering safe, substance‑free activities for children and teens throughout Klamath County.
The goal is to help youth build positive relationships, develop coping skills, and feel connected to their community while learning ways to have fun without drugs or alcohol.
The initiative emphasizes Protective Childhood Experiences (PCEs), such as supportive relationships, feeling safe, and a sense of belonging. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research shows these experiences can help reduce the long‑term health risks associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including substance use, mental health challenges, and chronic disease.
The prevention program creates welcoming spaces for youth and families to spend time together through activities such as swimming, skating, and recreation, opportunities that can be more difficult to access in rural communities. By building positive connections, youth can strengthen relationships, increase resilience, and support overall well‑being.
Upcoming 2026 Prevention Events
- May 16: Elementary Roller Skate (Grades K‑6), 2:30–4:30 p.m.
- June 13: Middle School Roller Skate (Grades 6‑8), 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- July 24: Ella Redkey High School Neon Swim (Grades 9‑12), 6:30–9:00 p.m.
- August 21: Ella Redkey Middle School Neon Swim (Grades 6‑8), 6:30–9:00 p.m.
- November 7: High School Ice Skating (Grades 9‑12), 2:15–4:15 p.m.
- December 5: Elementary Ice Skating (Grades K‑6), 2:15–4:15 p.m.
All prevention events are free, substance‑free, and open to youth living in or near Klamath County. These activities are part of KBBH’s ongoing work to promote healthy development, strengthen community connections, and prevent substance use county wide.
For more information, contact Makenzie Folsom at mfolsom@kbbh.org or visit Klamath Basin Behavioral Health on Facebook for current event flyers.
About Klamath Basin Behavioral Health
Klamath Basin Behavioral Health (KBBH) is the largest behavioral health provider for children, adolescents, adults, and families in southern Oregon. KBBH is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and serves as the Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) in Klamath County. Learn more at KBBH.org.