The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in order to provide primitive outdoor-recreation and educational opportunities for Trail visitors.

Big City Mountaineers has three major program components:  RELATE, GO and GOALS.

R.E.L.A.T.E. Program

BCM's core programming is our R.E.L.A.T.E. (Recreational Experiences Linking Adults & Teens Environmentally) program which matches five adult mentors with five teens for a weeklong single-gender backpacking or canoeing trip. BCM R.E.L.A.T.E. trips:

On May 29th of 2010, Aaron Drendel and Jake Mullins embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, canoeing the entire length of the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca, MN to the Gulf of Mexico: 2,320 miles. This high profile trip was dedicated to raise awareness for finding a cure for Breast Cancer.

Brittany and Brian Anderson are the founders of Footprints Adventures.

Mission Statement

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

The National Ability Center is committed to the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities by providing affordable sports and recreational experiences in a nurturing environment. The objective of these experiences is to build self-esteem, confidence and physical development, thereby enhancing active participation in all aspects of community life. As a national role model, the Center promotes the concept of ability through integration, public awareness and education. Our motto is "If I can do this, I can do anything."

The Outdoor Adventure Program of the Oneota Boys & Girls Club offers a wide variety of programs for our members of all ages. Junior members join us for overnight camping trips at Gilbert Lake State Park, as well as day trips fishing, canoeing, and hiking in the area. Participants are taught about local wildlife and plants, and how to respect the environment while enjoying the natural world.

OBA is the community service organization that serves underserved urban youth in Southern California and other select cities, and their families, by promoting self empowerment, dignity, accountability, community commitment and environmental stewardship.

By seeking to establish deep relationships with participants, OBA strives to advance cultural, class and ethnic diversity and ensure equal access and opportunity for all to enjoy wilderness environments.

Rivers of Recovery is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Since its founding in early 2008, Rivers of Recovery has been recognized as one of the premier recreational rehabilitation programs in the United States. Our program has been universally embraced by veteran’s support organizations and has garnered the attention of national and local media. Our commitment to disabled veterans compels us to continually improve our program and ensure that it is available to every service member that can benefit from it.

SOS Outreach was founded in 1993 in Colorado’s Vail Valley. As a nonprofit organization, our programs build character and self-esteem in youth through outdoor activities and the SOS curriculum. SOS is on pace to serve more than 4,500 youth across the nation in 2009-2010.

Waypoint Adventure, Inc. is a nonprofit organization located in the Metro Boston Area that provides outdoor adventure activities for youth and adults with and without disabilities. Specific adventure types include: kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, ropes courses and teambuilding. The organization’s mission is to help youth and adults of all abilities discover their purpose, talents, and strengths through the transforming power of adventure.

Waypoint Adventure Testimonial