Outdoors Empowered Network is committed to supporting our members and our mission through the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working together as a network to brainstorm new ways to serve our communities, including educational strategies to promote safe learning for youth and working with families. Our members are working within the ever-changing health and safety guidelines to continue providing our core services, gear and outdoor training to their communities. Member programs have shifted trainings to online and/or smaller groups to ensure safety and are working with local schools and families to get more youth learning outdoors. The pandemic has helped the Network realize the importance of working directly with community leaders and families. OEN’s original model which relies heavily on school districts and extra-curricular groups, and while these are effective, large-scale opportunities for change, they can miss mentoring opportunities internal to the community. OEN has welcomed new rising member organizations who are focused on leaders within communities, opening new gear libraries that serve families and regional volunteers to get youth outdoors. We believe that this pivot towards serving community leaders and families is a more sustainable approach during the pandemic, where large group gatherings and activities are not safe.

The pandemic is occurring alongside widespread calls for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Outdoors Empowered Network’s work has always been rooted in promoting DEI and working towards inclusion and equitable access to the outdoors. This year has opened up exciting opportunities for impact within the outdoor recreation space and the Network is growing in new ways. Read our statement on Institutional Racism in the Outdoors.

We are always looking for partners, collaborators and members to join our growing network, if you have ideas and want to get involved, please contact us at anytime. Stay safe and be well.