Mission

To ensure that all youth have access to a progression of nature-based
experiences through community wide coordination of resources and expertise.

GOALS

Build capacity to embed a progression of free, youth-focused, nature-based opportunities
in the core work of outdoor user groups, youth serving agencies, and other sectors city-wide.

Increase diversity in participation, planning, and leadership of nature-based activities.

Reduce the barriers to participation in nature-based activities,
through access to clothing, equipment, transportation, and programming.

Cultivate a diverse network of organizations that has the strength toleverage our
resources, expertise, and natural infrastructure to expand opportunities for youth.

HISTORY

Youth Outdoors-Duluth emerged early in 2016 from the Adventure Gap group. This collaborative of Youth Serving Agencies, outdoor providers, the Minnesota Land Trust, and the Northland Foundation recognized a disparity in access to Duluth’s abundant outdoor adventure amenities. Today Youth Outdoors-Duluth, with leadership from the Duluth Area Family YMCA, cultivates a network of Youth Serving Agencies, Outdoor Providers, Schools, Conservation, the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation, local foundations, public health, colleges, universities, and the community. These stakeholders are represented in the Youth Outdoors-Duluth Steering Committee by:

This group is responsible for informing and driving development and action of the collaborative, and for convening the larger group of stakeholders three to four times annually for feedback and networking to garner support and expertise that advances our mission.