Outdoor Outreach

Mission and Vision

Outdoor Outreach connects young people to the transformative power of nature and the outdoors and helps them realize the positive attitude and behavioral changes that enable them to become happy, healthy, and successful adults. Youth everywhere will be inspired by the outdoors to play, learn, serve and share.

Outdoor Outreach believes in building on the natural strengths that young people already possess. They make sure that participation is always by choice and presented in a fun, safe and respectful environment. They believe in caring for youth without an agenda and they believe in seeing the potential in people and situations, and in the power of new outdoor experiences. Outdoor Outreach sets the highest standards for quality and safety in everything they do.

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.

Youth Development

Outdoor experiences form the foundation of our youth development programs.

Outdoor Outreach provides comprehensive, year-round outdoor programming for youth in San Diego. By introducing participants to the outdoors through exciting and joy-filled activities, OO inspires undeserved youth to see possibility and opportunity in their lives, and realize various positive attitude and behavioral changes that help them become successful adults.

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.

Civic Engagement

Outdoor Voices Youth Leadership Initiative is a component of the Leadership Program that seeks to educate, train, and mobilize San Diego youth as advocates for improving park and outdoor access for all Californians.

With support from our youth advocates, Outdoor Outreach strives to inform local and state decision makers on the barriers some communities face to accessing outdoor spaces, and encourage them to make policy decisions that support opportunities for all communities to get outside.

Outdoor Outreach Outdoor Voices participants have the opportunity to partake in 25 advocacy trainings and events each year to inform decision makers about the importance of connecting all communities with the outdoors. For many, it is their first opportunity to speak with elected and agency officials and advocate for their communities.

Job Training

Through Outdoor Outreach’s Leadership Program, 8 participants each year have the opportunity to develop leadership skills through professional outdoor education that can position them for new career possibilities.

With support from our youth advocates, Outdoor Outreach strives to inform local and state decision makers on the barriers some communities face to accessing outdoor spaces, and encourage them to make policy decisions that support opportunities for all communities to get outside.

Outdoor Outreach Outdoor Voices participants have the opportunity to partake in 25 advocacy trainings and events each year to inform decision makers about the importance of connecting all communities with the outdoors. For many, it is their first opportunity to speak with elected and agency officials and advocate for their communities.

Abby

Abby grew up isolated from her peers because of her family’s economic and immigration status. “I grew up knowing I didn’t have the same opportunities as others. I had never experienced jumping in a wave, or building a sandcastle, or what a sunburn felt like. While Continue Reading… everyone talked about their experiences, I felt excluded and kept quiet. Over time, I got used to not being connected with other people.”

Abby found Outdoor Outreach during her freshman year at Monte Vista High School, and learned she could participate in outdoor activities for free. “I remember going camping for the first time at Joshua Tree. I didn’t know what to expect. I never thought that I would be able to go camping because my family was poor. With Outdoor Outreach, I had an opportunity to see and experience the beauty of where I lived – instead of seeing it through television shows like Planet Earth.”

“Outdoor Outreach has challenged me to explore my world… knowing that I can go farther every time I felt like I couldn’t take another step. They have taught me to be confident, and have helped me project my voice. I have become more comfortable around people, and found it’s easier to make friends. Now, when people talk about their summers, I join in. I can say I have been able to go camping and to the beach and felt the hot burning sand while running to jump in the water, and felt what it’s like to get a sunburn.”

Abby graduated from the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program in August 2018, and subsequently began her freshman year at Grossmont College.

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 Continue Reading… 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.

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 Continue Reading…I didn’t have that same privilege.”

Ivonne joined Outdoor Outreach during her junior year at King Chavez High School. “I remember my very first trip with Outdoor Outreach, to Mount San Jacinto. I was shy, and didn’t know anyone on the trip. On the ride up I told myself I wasn’t going to talk to anyone. That plan changed when we arrived and I saw snow for the first time. I was in shock. On our hike, I had so many layers on that it felt like I was wearing bubble wrap. For me it was an unbelievable experience that required stepping out of my comfort zone. Returning to the van that afternoon I realized I had talked to almost everyone. That felt good.”

Ivonne recently graduated from Outdoor Outreach’s Leadership Program with 12 other students in August 2018. “Outdoor Outreach gave me bravery, just like it has given me comfort to be myself and express myself, which I’ve never done before. During my time with Outdoor Outreach, I have experienced and learned so much. Outdoor Outreach is my happy place, and if it were up to me, I would never leave.”

Ivonne graduated from the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program in August 2018 before beginning her senior year at King Chavez High School.

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 Continue Reading…at making any friends at this new school of mine.”

“One day during lunch there was this guy handing out fliers for Outdoor Outreach’s Adventure Club. My cousins and I decided to check it out. The guy who handed out the fliers was named Dustin. In his presentation he talked about the seven core values of Outdoor Outreach. There was one core value that stood out to me more than the others: Authenticity.

After my first trip knowing that there would be others on Tuesdays got me through every week. As I went on more and more trips, I began to be myself not only in the club, but at school as well. As I observed the Outdoor Outreach staff on trips, I saw they were being authentic. And by being around them, I was able to be authentic as well.”

Refrain joined the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program in the summer of 2018, and says it was the best summer ever. “A big reason was the staff. Like I said earlier, everyone who works at Outdoor Outreach is authentic, and everybody loves their job. That really stuck with me. It’s hard work and through it all they stay positive. It really makes me appreciate all the work they do, for hundreds of participants like me every year.”

Refrain’s experience at Outdoor Outreach taught him that it was okay to be himself. “I needed a sign telling me that it’s okay to be yourself, it’s okay to be weird, it’s okay to be wild. I can tell you this: This Outdoor Outreach story has changed me for the better.”

Refrain is now the new student again, but this time it was his choice. He started his freshman year at UC-Irvine in the fall of 2018, and says he feels “good knowing that I can be my authentic self and dance all I want.”