How we’re proceeding safely with outdoor programs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools, workplaces, and community centers to close their doors, Outdoor Outreach took an intentional step to remain open and find innovative ways to continue to support youth and families through uncertain times. We provided virtual programs, tips for households to recreate outdoors responsibly, food deliveries, and when conditions allowed, we resumed our outdoor programs for youth and families.
In 2020, 93% of our youth shared that “getting outdoors has helped me personally cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
As COVID-19 continues to create uncertainty for our communities, we will continue to provide positive spaces for youth and families to thrive outside and experience the healing effects of the outdoors. During the pandemic, we’ve seen that the outdoors is one of the safest places to be and recreate responsibly with the lowest risk of COVID-19 transmission. We have now worked with over 2,000 youth since the beginning of the pandemic, and we are thankful to say that we have had zero reported cases of COVID-19 transmission on our programs. However, we don’t take this for granted. Outdoor Outreach has employed robust COVID-19 mitigation protocols to ensure that we are keeping our participants, staff, and community safe, including but not limited to:
- Pre-trip health screenings for all participants and staff as well as temperature checks and health screenings upon arrival for participants and staff
- The use of face masks when feasible and most essential in times when maintaining a physical distance of 6’ from others is difficult
- Providing face masks/PPE to participants that don’t have their own
- Increased use of handwashing stations and hand sanitizer
- Limiting the sharing of any equipment or supplies as well as cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
- Maintaining reasonable group sizes, in alignment with public health guidelines
- Utilizing transportation options that provide space for participants to appropriately distance
We have recently made it a requirement that all Outdoor Outreach staff and volunteers be fully vaccinated by the end of September 2021. This is our organization’s shared commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community.
As we move into our fall season with our school and community partners, we look forward to kayaking, climbing, hiking, snowboarding, and more with you! We’d also like to encourage you to join us in getting vaccinated and encouraging others to as well. Together, we can work to stop the spread of COVID-19, alleviate fear, and rebuild our community.
Outdoor Outreach is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. Through our programs, we’re helping youth build resilience in the face of challenges, and confidence in their power to make a difference.