The Elevate Youth mission
Learn about the Elevate Youth teamOur mission is to empower youth to explore the outdoors alongside mentors, sharing the awe and richness of our natural world.
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Meet the Elevate Youth team
A full school year of sessions and trips with the same adults, inside multi-year partnerships with their schools.
Kenny School, Dorchester
Elevate Youth builds multi-year partnerships with schools and youth programs. A cohort of 10 to 15 kids meets after school with the same Outdoor Instructors all year.
"It was the best and I want to come back."Jorge
After-school sessions
Two-hour sessions build outdoor skills like fishing, orienteering, and outdoor cooking, along with the teamwork and leadership every trip calls for.
"I loved the silent hike. It was peaceful."Sarah, age 11
Rock climbing
Half-day and full-day trips get kids out of the city, with volunteer Outdoor Mentors along, a ride in our van, and healthy food, all at no cost to families.
"I like the adventure of trying something new."Patrick
Ski day
Snowshoeing and skiing when it snows. Kayaking, sailing, and surfing when it warms up. Climbing, hiking, fishing, and maple syruping in between. The outdoors stops being new and starts being theirs.
"We went cross country skiing! So much fun. Went out my comfort box."An
Summer
A week of sailing, surfing, kayaking, and hiking, capped by an overnight camping trip to Lantern Light Camps in New Hampshire.
"I got to feel the air and I loved it."Destine, age 12
Youth Leaders
Motivated teens from our programs join Youth Leaders for at least a year. They earn first aid training, advise our board through the Youth Council, and run a spring sustainability project in their own neighborhood.
"I did a great job leading everyone through the right path."Caicha, age 12
Five programs that meet kids at school, on the water, at summer camp, and in the kitchen. Every one is free for every kid.
Our year-round flagship, built on multi-year school partnerships. Cohorts of 10 to 15 kids get after-school sessions, regular day trips, and in most programs, a week at Camp Elevate.
See Odyssey
Local ponds and lakes
Fishing trips to local ponds and lakes, started in 2023 by board member Greg Herrema with partners like MassWildlife and Boston Trout Unlimited.
See FishOn!
One week each summer
Sailing, surfing, kayaking, and hiking, ending with an overnight at Lantern Light Camps in New Hampshire.
See Camp Elevate
For teens
Teens build leadership and environmental advocacy skills, advise our board through the Youth Council, and run a spring sustainability project.
See Youth Leaders
Food and wellness
Educate. Access. Thrive. Cooking classes, farm field trips, and healthy food on every outing, plus free produce boxes for families.
See E.A.T.Our Outdoor Instructors lead the program. Volunteer Outdoor Mentors join the same group of kids on monthly adventures for a full school year or summer.
Executive Director
Outdoor Instructor and Manager of Special Projects
Senior Program Coordinator and Outdoor Instructor
Mass Promise Fellow and Outdoor Instructor
Pick the one that fits. Every one of them puts a kid on a trail, a wall, or the water this year.
Your gift pays for rides, meals, and gear, so every trip stays free for kids and families.
Headlamps, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and boots, new or gently used, go straight onto trips.
Join the same group of kids on monthly adventures for a school year or summer, with training from our staff.
For schools and youth programs that want a year-round outdoor program, in three packages.
