The Outdoors Empowered Network

Mission: To connect youth to the outdoors, by growing and supporting a powerful network of local organizations that get youth outdoors, through wilderness leadership training and outdoor gear libraries.**

The Outdoors Empowered Network is a national network of organizations that replicates a train-the-trainer model of connecting youth to the outdoors. We seed and support programs that leverage a highly successful program model, pioneered by the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Youth Opportunities Program. The 6 organizations currently utilizing this program model have a combined 70+ years of experience and have collectively trained over 5000 adult educators, and reached over 175,000 youth.

Our member programs make this impact through training teachers and supporting the trips they run, through free gear loans, funding, shared knowledge and a range of localized supports. This model builds community capacity to connect young people to the outdoors. Our collective approach allows us to learn from one another, share best practices, and share in reinforcing activities that benefit all within the network, and ultimately the communities they serve.