Teens Outside
Children, and teens in particular, have a reputation for plunking down indoors, ready to be entertained. But thanks to one promising program, a growing number of young people are finding that the real entertainment is waiting for them—outside.
In 2006, The Outdoor Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association teamed up to launch “Teens Outside”: a series of multiweek experiences that enable teens to enjoy the outdoors on a regular basis. The partnership brings expertise, financial resources and outdoor gear to these adventures. The teens bring the enthusiasm to try something new, whether it’s camping or climbing, paddling or biking.
Teens Outside entrusts kids to qualified leaders and mentors who make nature an experience worth repeating. In each community, the programs repeat, season after season and year after year. With this framework, nature can become a new habit.
In its first full year, Teens Outside engaged 3,600 teens and 250 mentors in 21 communities across the country. In 2008, 29 communities joined the adventure—with more planned for 2009 and 2010. With strong results and steady growth, more than 100,000 teens and families could experience this program in the next 5 years. But like any climb, this one needs support.
Won’t you join the adventure?
To Learn More
The Outdoor Foundation
bryan.mahler@outdoorfoundation.org
4909 Pearl East Circle, Suite 200,
Boulder, CO, 80301
303.444.3353
www.outdoorfoundation.org/
