​These Non-Profits Are Making The Outdoors More Inclusive

As Mountain Revelations premieres on the big screen in cities across the US, audiences have been introduced to Ryan Hudson, Rafael Pease, and their respective stories of struggle, perseverance, and success as professional snowboarders. While exploring wild and rugged Alaskan terrain with snowboarding icon Jeremy Jones, the three discuss challenging subjects: diversity, accessibility, representation, wealth disparity, and the physical and mental burden BIPOC athletes continue to shoulder while navigating the outdoor industry. The national tour of Mountain Revelations aims to act as a catalyst to inspire reflection, conversation, and action for TGR audiences. In order to transcend the film and inspire further conversations, the TGR Film Tour has been supported by a variety of local, non-profit organizations across the country. Although varied in their missions, programming, and participants, these organizations reflect the themes of the film and share a mutual drive to progress of accessibility and diversity in their local outdoor communities.

Outdoor Outreach - Outdoor Outreach is the organization Ryan Hudson credits with changing the course of his life. Outdoor Outreach provides positive opportunities and supports for their communities’ most vulnerable youth, helping them overcome risk factors like domestic violence, homelessness, immigration or refugee status, or involvement in the juvenile justice system. Programs provide opportunities for young people to surf, climb, paddle and more, engaging them in meaningful learning activities that promote a strong sense of self, belonging and resiliency. Furthermore, the opportunity to build positive relationships with adults and peers provides participants with social capital through the critical transition to adulthood. These experiences and relationships introduce important protective factors like self-efficacy, social competencies and optimism for the future. Job training and employment provided through the Leadership Program add additional protective factors, equipping participants with transferable skills and competencies to overcome economic insecurity.

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Big Sky Youth Empowerment - For the past 20 years, Big Sky Youth Empowerment has operated under the mission statement to provide the most vulnerable teens in the Gallatin Valley with the opportunity to experience success. BYEP’s adventure-based mentorship program is designed to strengthen and support these participants in all aspects of their lives, and it starts by meeting them halfway - giving them something inspiring, if not downright awesome, to do every weekend. Working with community partners, BYEP takes participants skiing and snowboarding at Big Sky Resort a total of 10 times each winter, providing them with 100% of the gear, transportation, and education they need to shred - all completely free of charge for each participant’s family.

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Outdoors For All - The Outdoors for All Foundation transforms lives through outdoor recreation. Founded in 1979 in the Pacific Northwest, Outdoors for All is a national leader in delivering adaptive and therapeutic recreation for children and adults with disabilities. Each year more than 3,000 individuals exercise their abilities thanks to the training and support of more than 850 volunteers. Outdoors for All enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities and families and helps them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Outdoors for All’s programs includes snowboarding, snowshoeing, nordic and downhill skiing, cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, youth and adult day camps, yoga, military programs, weekend excursions and custom events.

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VIVE Northwest - Vive NW’s mission is to culturally diversify participation in the outdoors and the outdoor sector by empowering all communities to live a more active lifestyle, while creating economic opportunity and a sense of ownership and stewardship towards nature.

Bay Area Wilderness Training -The mission of BAWT is to create equitable access to the outdoors for low-income youth and youth of color. BAWT envisions a future led by social and environmental leaders inspired by meaningful experiences in nature and reflects the diversity of our community.

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Colorado UpLift - Colorado UpLift is a nonprofit youth service organization that teaches character, leadership, and life skills to urban kids in Denver & Aurora Public Schools. Our unique model uses full-time, salaried staff who teach and mentor kids starting in elementary school, continuing on to middle school, high school, and beyond!

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stash member Teton Gravity Research

It all began with a dream and a little cash scraped together from fishing in Alaska... Since 1995, we've been an action sports media company committed to fueling progression through our ground-breaking films (37 and counting) and online content.