An Introduction to Outdoor Emerging Leaders Programs
If tasked with naming the qualities of a good leader, we could all probably come up with a sizable list: Committed to the cause. Excellent communicator. Team player. Forward-looking. Honest and full of integrity. Seeks to empower others. Positive role model. And so it goes. But how do we provide opportunities for young people to develop these very same qualities, and how do we support…
Volunteers Make the (Outdoor) World Go ‘Round
Whether we’re talking about nonprofit organizations, afterschool programs, community initiatives or beyond, there’s no doubt that volunteers are at the heart of many efforts to connect young people—any people, really—with the outdoors. Below, we’ve gathered some useful resources to help you find and manage volunteers, while also offering a few suggestions for those who are interested in volunteering or encouraging other people to volunteer on…
A Guide to Winter Programming
Sure, the days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler, but the winter months are still an amazing time to offer outdoor programming. Need some inspiration to get started? We pulled together a range of information to help you plan and prepare for winter outings, from safety tips to program ideas. PREPARING FOR WINTER OUTINGS Just as with any other time of year, the key…
How to Use the Every Kid in a Park Program
The arrival of September means a lot of things: The end of summer, the beginning of fall, a return to classrooms, a cool-down in temperatures (well…depending on where you live) – and a brand new year of the Every Kid in a Park initiative. Read on to find out how you can use this free national program to help provide more young people with access…
Special Use Permitting 101
Whether you’re leading a small group of teenagers on their very first backpacking trip or guiding a university climbing club on an advanced mountaineering adventure, you’ll likely need to obtain a special use permit in order to execute the trip if it occurs on U.S. Forest Service lands. While applying for a permit might seem daunting, we want to help demystify the process, which has…
The Benefits of Program Evaluation
One of the top reasons outdoor programs struggle to raise funds is that they don’t have a solid structure in place to measure the effects of their work and communicate those effects to potential funders. These measurable effects – or outcomes – are things that go beyond just getting young people outdoors; they should actually speak to making positive, measurable improvements when it comes to…
Developing a Mountain Bike Program for Youth
Want to add some action sports to your outdoor programming repertoire? One of the best places to start is with mountain biking. Contrary to what it might look like to those who haven’t tried the sport, mountain biking doesn’t have to be super technical – just as with skiing or hiking, you can find trails and routes fit for every experience level. Bonus? They’re usually…
9 Outdoor Apps to Use with Youth
Time outdoors offers the opportunity to disconnect from electronics and reconnect with the natural world. While we definitely encourage plenty of screen-free time, we also recognize that sometimes the use of phones and electronic tablets actually boosts our ability to learn about what we’re seeing out there. In that spirit, here are recommendations for several apps that can support your outdoor activities and lesson plans…
How to Launch an Angling Program
The lazy days of summer offer the perfect excuse to head out to your favorite lake, stream, or river and try your hand at catching a few fish. It’s also a great time to share your love of angling with others, so we put together these tips – inspired by our brand new Angling Path on the TYO website, created in partnership with the U.S. Fish…
How Do We Measure the Health Benefits of Time Outdoors?
If you’re reading this, chances are you not only enjoy spending time outside, but you also feel that there are both physical and mental benefits to doing so. The question, then, is how do we quantify these benefits so that we can advocate for more outdoor programming, more funding for outdoor initiatives, and more equitable access to outdoor spaces? The great news is, there are people…