Youth Programs
Pathfinder Outdoor Education's unique, hands-on, experiential youth programs help build community in two vital ways.
First - we get kids outside in nature - extremely crucial when studies show American kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours on screen time a day. The many benefits of time spent in a natural environment include children who are physically and emotionally healthier, who are more likely to do better in school, and who have a connection to nature and are more likely to be good stewards of the environment.
The second way Pathfinder programs build community is providing youth with valuable life skills that help them both socially and emotionally.
All of Pathfinder's classes give participants an opportunity to solve problems, work together, and learn to communicate with each other. All of our classes lead to discovery. One child may learn about risk and how trying something new, failing, but then trying again is when growth happens. Another child comes to realize leadership is both speaking up for yourself and also listening to others. All children have the opportunity to ask open-ended questions and figure out the answers for themselves. All participants learn skills to build healthy relationships and develop empathy.
Pathfinder offers both OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS and DAY PROGRAMS.
We will design a program that works towards the goals and outcomes you'd like to see for your community - whatever that community is - school group, church group, scout troop, nonprofit organization, etc.
Ready to learn more? Download our Class Descriptions and Sample Schedules booklet. Then, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you.
RECENT COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS:
”It was the best field trip I have ever been on. We got to spend time in nature with our friends and get to try things we never thought we would.”
“It’s a very powerful experience and you can learn tons of new things about the people around you and make connections that would not have been made otherwise. It really brings people together and was a great closing to my year.”
