I think I can speak for everyone on the Jack Mountain team when I say we’re all passionate about the outdoors. That’s a broad statement and individually, each of us is drawn by different aspects of an outdoor lifestyle.

Running School Of The Forest programs has let me see this same thing unfold with young people. All of the students like being outside, and they bond over it. However as we delve into different aspects of the classes, different crafts and activities draw varying interest. Some of them really enjoy taking the time to catalog each plant species we talk about, while others enjoy carving projects or building shelters. These sort of experiences are why outdoor programs for youth matter so much.

Not every kid wants to perform in the school band, or play sports. Having the opportunity to get outside is vital for a young person’s development on its own, but being exposed to so many different components means that there’s a greater chance that they find something that really lights the spark for enjoying the natural world.

So when we run programs like the Family Bushcraft Week, or our new “Tech Detox” canoe trip, we aren’t just teaching kids to paddle, or cook over a fire. Our goal is to start something growing in these families and young people that they can cultivate for a lifetime