Boulder, Colorado, April 14th, 2008 — The Outdoor Foundation Teens Outside program partners youth with mentors across the country and introduces them to close-to-home recreation and outdoor activities. Utilizing existing high-quality youth-oriented programs, Teens Outside connects hard-to-reach teens with outdoor recreation through sustained, season-long experiences in hiking, camping, climbing, biking, paddling and other activities.
Replicability and sustainability are core strengths of the Teens Outside program. The program's goal is to expand Teens Outside each year for the next three years. By 2011, the program is projected to reach approximately 50,000 youth nationwide. Success of the program will mean impacting the lives of tens of thousands of teens and their families around the country in the next five years.
In order for participants to fully experience the outdoor activities provided by Teens Outside and ensure the program's success, the kids need access to high-quality gear and equipment communities can use season after season, year after year.
The Outdoor Foundation is currently searching for industry business partners to provide that important gear for these programs. Companies will receive significant recognition for their participation, and have the opportunity to impact the future of these participants and, indeed, the industry's future for years to come.
Support for 2008 Teens Outside can be in the form of gear donations to the 20 existing programs and eight new California programs (locations TBD) or adoption of a local park and recreation department and provision of gear and/or mentors.
Existing Teens Outside programs are in the following communities: Peoria, Arizona; San Diego, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Littleton, Colorado; Coral Gables, Florida; Frostburg, Maryland; Waterford, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Livingston, Montana; Lebanon, New Hampshire; Newmarket, New Hampshire; Charlotte, North Carolina; Asheville, North Carolina; Fremont, Ohio; North Clackamas, Oregon; Houston, Texas; Cedar City, Utah; Radford, Virginia; Bellevue, Washington; Tacoma, Washington and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
For 2009 expansion, Teens Outside has needs for additional equipment in the following categories:
- Hiking and camping gear, including rain gear, water bottles, and first aid kits.
- Day Use backpacks
- Sleeping bags and tents
- Camp cook sets and stoves
- Rock climbing gear, including shoes, helmets, ropes, and harnesses
- Bicycles and appropriate gear
- Paddling gear, including kayaks, canoes, paddles, and throw ropes
Introducing youth to gateway outdoor activities like camping and hiking is the best predictor of adult participation. Encourage them while they are young, give them the skills to enjoy the outdoors, and they likely will become outdoor enthusiasts for life.
Businesses interested in learning more about gear donations and the benefits of partnering with Teens Outside should contact Bryan Mahler at bmahler@outdoorindustry.org or 303.327.3512.
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 established by Outdoor Industry Association to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. The Foundation introduces youth to outdoor recreation through nationwide youth programming and produces high-quality, groundbreaking research that quantifies the extent and quality of participation in outdoor recreation as well as its economic impact on the U.S. For more information visit http://www.outdoorfoundation.org or call 303.444.3353.
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