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Connecting Youth...

to the transformative power of the outdoors.

We use the outdoors to inspire youth to see possibility and opportunity
in their lives and realize the positive attitude and behavioral changes
that help them becomehappy, healthy, and successful adults.

The Experience, The Relationship, The Change.

Outdoor Outreach*

Mission and Vision

Since 1999, Outdoor Outreach has connected more than 17,000 young people with the transformative power of the outdoors. With every opportunity to hike, bike, kayak, or climb, the youth in our programs gain two things that greatly increase their chances of success:

First, opportunities to share new experiences, explore their world, and discover what they’re capable of. And second, a meaningful connection with a support system of peers and mentors who believe in them and who show them that they matter.

The majority of the young people in the programs come from low-income communities and they have very few opportunities to experience natural parks and open-space areas before joining the Outdoor Outreach programs.

The Transformative Power of the Outdoors

We use the outdoors to inspire young people to see the possibility and opportunity of their lives…

… to realize the positive attitude and behavioral changes that help them become happy, healthy, and successful adults.

Our Activities Include

A World of Possibility from the Outside

Program Overview

Outdoor Outreach operates four impactful programs: Adventure Club, Partner, Military, and Leadership.

These programs support youth in San Diego County who may not otherwise have the opportunities to experience outdoor recreation, environmental education, and stewardship activities.

Adventure Club Program

Outdoor Outreach facilitates after- school local Adventure Clubs at three Title I high schools.

Each club has approximately 50 members, and members have the opportunity to attend over 40 outdoor outings throughout the year.

The majority of participants in these clubs have little or no prior exposure to the outdoors; for many, these outings represent opportunities to try and accomplish things they never thought possible, like surfing their first wave in Coronado, or reaching new heights while rock climbing at Dixon Lake.

Partner Program

Outdoor Outreach is a resource to more than 30 schools and community-based organizations working with youth and their families.

We tailor our partnerships for maximum impact, customizing fee-for-service outings and programs to fit the needs of each group. With our partner programs, we invest in each participant’s development and growth.

Military Program

The Military Program provides San Diego youth from active-duty military families with the opportunity to engage in safe, positive, and fun outdoor activities.

One youth shared his experience about his favorite part of their trip, “The fact that the instructors and volunteers got involved and actually participated with us. I loved making new friends and doing new things.”

Outdoor Outreach has provided 107 outdoor recreation, education and environmental stewardship activities for more than 330 individual military youth since 2012.

Leadership Program

The Leadership Program is the cornerstone of our organization.

Through an application and interview process, we select promising teens from our other two programs to participate in an 8-week intensive summer program training that provides them with the skills necessary to instruct and mentor program participants. The program promotes each individual’s natural leadership strengths while providing tangible academic, emotional and social support. After completing their training, candidates teach and mentor their peers through a paid internship. We continue to monitor these young leaders as they balance their part-time jobs at Outdoor Outreach, college classes, financial independence and the challenges of moving into the world as working adults.

Positive Youth Development

Our overarching purpose is to support critical needs of youth from under-resourced communities through meaningful outdoor experiences and mentorship. Outdoor Outreach’s adventure-based program model provides youth with tools, support systems, and confidence to face down their unique challenges, thrive, and succeed.

Environmental Stewardship

We believe that with each chance to surf, bike, hike or kayak, we’re also giving youth a reason and opportunity to care about nature.

Leave No Trace helps reinforce our mission, reminding us to respect the places where we play so future generations can enjoy those places, too. We lead by example, teaching youth to respect themselves, others, and the environment by demonstrating that same respect in our words and actions. We embrace the core principles of Leave No Trace on every program we provide, allowing each young person to discover how those principles can be applied to the world around them.

Building on those stepping stones of engagement, we provide opportunities for hundreds of youth every year to participate in hands-on environmental education and stewardship during out-of-school time. Through projects like trail maintenance and native species planting, we’re providing opportunities for urban youth to find, appreciate and care for nature, and to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Workforce Development

Our intensive, nature-based job training program connects participants with pathways to employment in the outdoor industry and beyond. This type of early work experience has been shown to help young people graduate from high school, attain higher levels of education, avoid substance abuse, and develop a sense of self-efficacy and desire to succeed.

Outdoor Advocacy

Outdoor Outreach youth advocates working with local, state, and federal decision makers on the barriers some youth face in accessing outdoor spaces, and encourages them to make policy decisions that support outdoor opportunities for all. Outdoor Outreach participants have the opportunity to partake in several advocacy trainings and events each year.

Their Stories

Ivonne

Ivonne’s life has been colored by her undocumented status. She was constantly told no, that she had to stay indoors. “I would hear my friends making plans for the weekend knowing I couldn't go along. I would also hear how excited they were to visit their families but I didn't have that same privilege.”

Pedro

Pedro grew up in Southeast San Diego and experienced gang violence for the first time when he was just 5 years old. “I tried to cope with trauma by ignoring it and not talking about it. But sooner or later, it would catch up to me. I wouldn't be able to sleep. I would feel angry all the time and I was constantly overwhelmed with sadness.”

Refrain

Refrain was in his sophomore year of high school, looking for his authentic self, when he found Outdoor Outreach’s Crawford High School Adventure Club. “I didn’t have a lot of friends, and I didn’t know who I was or who I should be. I became isolated, and I lost hope at making any friends at this new school of mine.”

A World of Possibilities

Youth Outdoor Outreach quotes what the program means to them and how they are now living their dreams.

The Station Camp Winter Youth Summit Project

This project was made possible thanks to a grant from the Outdoor Nation. Under the direction of Outdoor Nation Ambassador Juan H. Alvarez and Outdoor Outreach, 24 San Diego youth attended a four-day snowboard and mini-youth summit at The Station Camp in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Source: Some images, text and videos are the property and copyright of Outdoor Outreach.

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Pedro

Pedro grew up in Southeast San Diego and experienced gang violence for the first time when he was just 5 years old. “I tried to cope with trauma by ignoring it and not talking about it. But sooner or later, it would catch up to me. I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I would feel angry all the time and I was constantly overwhelmed with sadness.”

“As I got older, my only connection to the outdoors was through the school-issued computers, where I would watch the ocean on Surfline.com. Since I couldn’t get to the beach, I’d settle for Surfline.”

Pedro was introduced to Outdoor Outreach his freshman year at Monte Vista High School. He couldn’t believe that he would be able to go surfing in real life, for free.

“I remember waking up at 6 in the morning for my first Outdoor Outreach trip. I remember falling over while putting on a wetsuit and thinking “What if i have to pee?” I remember entering the water and being super confident and thinking “Pshh, I can do this no sweat”… and then being smacked by a crystal blue wave. I got back up and paddled out. On my 8th attempt, I finally caught a wave. That wave was amazing. It felt like being a part of something whole and great. Outdoor Outreach opened a door to new places and experiences I’d only dreamed of.”

Throughout high school, Pedro struggled with his mental health. The first time he tried to take his life was the summer after Junior year. “Between the new meds, bullying, and suspensions, Outdoor Outreach trips were the only times I felt relief. This program was my lifeline but school was ending and for the first time I was dreading the start of summer. Luckily I got into the Leadership Program and for 8-weeks I was able to surf, rock climb, camp and bond with a new loving family. These opportunities brought me the hope, support and strength I needed. It allowed me to escape the negativity, to heal and catch my breath. It taught me better ways of coping, and showed me that I could continue fighting for a better me.”

“Going forward, I know that the outdoors will continue to play a huge role in my healing. And a big part of that is becoming an instructor, so I can share with others, the experiences I’ve had. My dream is to become a paramedic. I’m really grateful for the opportunities that Outdoor Outreach has provided.”

Pedro graduated from the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program in August 2018 before beginning his final year of school at Monte Vista High School.