Blog
Blog Entries - youth development
Grantee Spotlight: Refugee Education and Adventure Challenge
Refugee Education and Adventure Challenge (REACH) is an outdoor recreation organization based in Chicago that serves refugee youth and their families. REACH was founded in 2015 by Shana Wills, who had decades of
Middle Childhood Needs Increased Focus
Many youth development interventions focus on two critical periods of childhood: the early years and the adolescent years. While there is a lot of data to suggest that these are the two greatest periods of change for
Summer Camps Help Kids Grow
The summer camp industry in the U.S. dates back to the mid-1800s. Thomas W. Gunn established the Gunnery Camp, a camping program exclusively for his all-male students, in 1861 in Connecticut. Only thirteen years later,
LGBTQ+ Youth Thrive in Supportive Environments
Research shows that the discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ youth because of their identities is linked to an increased risk of suicide and lack of access to mental health care. This finding comes from a 2024 survey of
CREATE Cyclists Gain More Than Bike Skills
In outdoor education, the recreation activities often look like the most exciting part. Whether it’s canoeing, cycling, or hiking, it’s easy to get caught up in counting miles, comparing gear, or assessing
Three Years of the Get Into Nature Initiative Yields Positive Results
The National Recreation Foundation has collaborated with Tom’s of Maine since 2020 to increase access to nature for youth across the United States. The Get Into Nature initiative has allowed NRF to reach small,