Outdoor Nation To Expand to 50 State Summits in 2013

Outdoor Nation disclosed the information in a press release Thursday announcing that it had just completed its annual lobbying trip to Washington D.C. The Outdoor Foundation, an industry funded non-profit, launched Outdoor Nation in 2010 to  empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States. To date, the successful initiative has engaged tens of thousands of youth and invested more than $200,000 in over 50 innovative projects spearheaded by young leaders and change-makers.

From June 25–27, Outdoor Nation descended on Washington D.C. June, led by Millennial Generation ambassadors and activists, for the purpose of amplifying the young adult voice on outdoor programs and policies – with focus on youth engagement in the outdoors.

Delegates met with members of Congress, administration officials and other important decision-makers to talk about America’s natural resources and funding priorities. Additionally, delegates received leadership training throughout the three-day event. The annual National Congress is sponsored by The North Face and has become a staple to the advocacy efforts of Outdoor Nation and The Outdoor Foundation.

“Outdoor Nation is committed to empowering young adults in their efforts to re-connect their generation and themselves to the outdoors,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation, the organization that started Outdoor Nation.

 

“Joining with Great Outdoor America week to help protect and promote outdoor engagement is important to our millennial ambassadors and we’re proud to help their voices be heard by policy makers and key influencers.”

Next on the agenda, Outdoor Nation will gather in Los Angeles June 30th for the largest, most diverse regional Summit yet — bringing together over 300 participants who represent the next generation of outdoor activists. The LA event is part of a series of 10 Summits held by Outdoor Nation across the country – connecting young leaders together to identify pressing outdoor issues, develop strategies to address barriers and commit to taking action together. The LA Summit will be held at the University of Southern California (USC) and delegates will sleep under the stars at Los Angeles Historic Park.

During each of this summer’s 10 Summits, Outdoor Nation will fund the top project ideas – investing a total of $100,000 in on-the-ground projects. And, for the first time, Outdoor Nation has partnered with Student Conservation Fund (SCA) for an outdoor service project prior to select Outdoor Nation Summits. In Los Angeles, the project will be held on Friday, June 29th with Amigos de Los Rios at Madrid Middle School to plant native plants and remove invasive species and paint.

Summit delegates will brainstorm project ideas that address the regional issues preventing Millennials and younger Americans from spending time outdoors, including cultural relevance, access, cost, safety and the environmental health of local outdoor spaces. Delegates will select the most creative and impactful projects to receive funding and technical support from Outdoor Nation. Following each Summit, participants will work together in local communities — spearheading the projects, influencing decision makers and mobilizing people to get active and outdoors. Ultimately, the goal is to create long-term change in the relationships young people have with the outdoors.

The LA Summit builds on the tremendous success of Outdoor Nation and its series of regional summits that provide young people with the connections and resources they need to have a greater impact in their communities. This summer, Summits will continue in Boston and Austin, and close with The Futurist Project at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show – a gathering of 100 young industry movers and shakers. This fall, Outdoor Nation will host four Outdoor Nation Intensive Training or ‘ON-IT’ Summits in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and San Francisco.