The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit 501©(3) established by Outdoor Industry Association to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. The foundation introduces youth to outdoor recreation through nationwide programming and produces high-quality, groundbreaking research that quantifies the extent and quality of participation in outdoor recreation as well as its economic impact on the U.S.

Outdoor Nation

This research revealed a decline in youth participation in the outdoors. To address this trend, the Foundation launched the first Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in June 2010 in New York City’s Central Park, when 500 young adults representing all 50 states gathered in what became the largest and most diverse summit to connect youth to the outdoors. The event sparked a youth-led movement that is now empowering the Millennial generation to reconnect, redefine and rediscover America as an Outdoor Nation.

This year, the Foundation is expanding Outdoor Nation with plans to host three 2-day Signature Summits in Los Angeles, Austin and Boston. In addition, young outdoor leaders will have the chance to attend one of five Intensive Training Summits in New York, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Atlanta.

Youth leaders interested in participating as delegates can apply online through Outdoor Nation’s new community website at OutdoorNation.org.