Outdoor Nation Sees Broad Industry Support

The Outdoor Nation Youth Summit and Festival combined outdoor activities and outdoor advocacy to raise awareness about the important role the outdoors and recreational activities play in healthy active lifestyles. The 500 youth delegates were selected based on outdoor interest and a commitment to lead local, regional and national efforts that will reconnect youth and the outdoors.

Due to the success of Outdoor Nation, The North Face doubled its funding commitment to the Explore Fund. The company will now donate $250,000 to the grant-giving program that supports nonprofit, community organizations that break down the barriers to getting youth outdoors.

“We were extremely impressed by the delegates and all of their hard work throughout the weekend,” said Steve Rendle, President of The North Face and VF Outdoor Americas. “We secured the additional funds and made the announcement on-site. We wanted each of the delegates to know first-hand, and return to their communities knowing that we are behind them 100 percent.”

CamelBak unveiled a $5,000 micro-grant program for the young delegates. Ten delegates with the most innovative, creative and engaging ideas for motivating people in their home towns to ditch disposable water bottles will receive 100 CamelBak reusable water bottles and a $500 grant.  The grants will be awarded by the end of July.

In addition, The Outdoor Foundation announced a new partnership with America’s State Parks to launch a nationwide Youth Ambassador program that will promote State Parks. Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation said, “Outdoor Nation is a growing youth-led outdoor movement where young leaders are championing change in communities and on campuses across the country. Protecting America’s State Parks is one of the most important things our ‘Outsider’ community can do.”