Belonging Colorado Outdoor Leadership Cohort
Calling all current 7th-9th graders!
Apply for the inaugural TEENS, Inc. Belonging Colorado Outdoor Leadership Cohort. The grant supports 15 organizations across Colorado, representing a diverse set of nonprofits, community-based organizations, and local governments. These organizations will develop innovative programs that bring people together across lines of difference to address shared challenges, connect on shared interests, and/or deepen community relationships and heal divides.
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Building on the success of our TeamWorks youth employment program, we are launching a pilot program targeting 7th–9th grade youth from urban and rural/mountain towns to engage in outdoor adventures together. By bringing together two cohorts of 8 youth each (4 urban and 4 rural) we aim to bridge divides of difference and create meaningful cross-community interaction, while exploring the outdoors and having tons of fun!
Our program creates an immersive experiential learning journey designed to foster confidence, belonging, and leadership among 7th-9th grade youth from rural and urban communities. Through carefully structured activities spanning 22 days over a 6 month period, participants engage in outdoor recreation and skill-building that challenges them to take healthy risks, gain new perspectives from peers, and develop collaborative problem-solving skills that will support their ability to thrive socially and academically. Youth will receive gift cards for participation.
Orientation weekend (overnight in cabins) - March 8th-9th OR March 15th-16th
Service day with City of Denver Parks and Recreation (day trip) - April 12th OR April 13th
Rock climbing day (day trip) - May 17th OR May 18th
Wilderness First Aid course (day trip - no overnights) - June 4th-6th
5 day front country camping trip, possible activities include rafting, climbing, hiking (maybe mtn biking) - activities will depend on youth interest and input (overnight in tents) - June 9th-13th OR June 23rd-27th
8 day front country and backcountry camping trip, possible activities include backpacking, paddle boarding - activities will depend on youth interest and input (overnight in tents) - July 7th-14th OR July 21st-28th
Closing weekend and celebration at Lincoln Hills - youth will create a collaborative capstone presentation about experience/learning and share with families at celebration (overnight in cabins) - August 2nd-3rd OR August 9th-10th
Note: Youth will be split into two cohorts based on availability. Cohort one will meet on the dates listed first in the activity description. Cohort two will meet on the dates listed second. Example: Orientation weekend, cohort one meets March 8th-9th and cohort two meets March 15th-16th. Our goal is consistency and community building within the cohort groups, so there will be minimal movement from different groups.
This program is FREE! We want to eliminate as many barriers as we can to get youth outdoors. Please submit an application only if you are confident you want to participate in the program and can attend 80% of the in-person events.
Please reach out if you have any questions. Call us at 303.258.3821 and ask for Rebecca or email rebecca@teensinc.org.
