Gain Your Outside Perspective

A blog post from Outside Perspectives Executive Director, Nicky Wood: [gallery ids="2198,2166,2169" type="rectangular"] On April 22nd I went to the Northeast Regional Conference for the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) in Becket, Massachusetts and thought I would share some of my experience. AEE is a nonprofit, international, professional organization whose mission is to develop and promote experiential education. Its membership consists of individuals and organizations with affiliations in education, recreation, outdoor and adventure programming, the environment, mental health, youth development, programming of people with disabilities, service learning, and organizational development. The intent of AEE is to contribute to making a more just and compassionate world by transforming education. Needless to say, if Outside Perspectives were going to be connected to a professional organization, AEE would be a perfect fit. [caption id="attachment_2173...

[caption id="attachment_1882" align="aligncenter" width="472"] Our youngest friends checking out the tent[/caption] Mother nature pulled it together just in time for us this past Sunday, melting the snow and waking up the sun to provide a brilliant spring day for our event.  We estimate that 40-50 people joined us at Holcomb Farm in Granby, CT to share beautiful food, community, and laughter. A presentation, about Outside Perspectives and how community members can support us, rounded out the day. [caption id="attachment_1886" align="alignright" width="263"] A beautiful day in the sun![/caption] Guests spent time during the event meeting other community members, playing games, and checking out our newly donated backpacking equipment, including our youngest friends who took a particular liking to the fort-like tent. As the picture (above left) shows, it didn't take long after their arrival for our kid-guests to flee their ...

 

ANNOUNCING FRIEND-RAISING EVENT!!   We are hosting a FRIEND-RAISING event on April 2nd from 12:00-3:00 pm at the beautiful and historic Holcomb Farm property in Granby, CT. There are no obligations, financial or otherwise, for attending this event. We promise fun along with information. What is a "FRIEND-RAISING" you ask?  It is a gathering for folks like yourself who have expressed interest, curiosity or support of Outside Perspectives.  It is a chance to learn about the program, to share and eat delicious food together, and to meet and connect with others who are invested in getting youth outdoors! We’re looking for community connections with people who are interested in our mission and who might be in a position to help us.  Support could look like moral support (we need a lot of that :)) introductions to youth organizations, sharing our mission via word of mouth, connecting us with potential funders, becoming a board member or offering some other expertise you may have. W...

[caption id="attachment_1796" align="alignleft" width="217"] Nicky, OP Director, and Maya, world's greatest office dog.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1798" align="alignright" width="273"] Shannon, Program Manager, taking a break to get some air in the fresh new powder.[/caption] FINALLY... winter in New England! After 16+ inches of fresh powder we're just beginning to earn our spring fever. We've been spending LOTS of time indoors preparing for this upcoming seasons expeditions!  In between phone calls with perspective partners, we find ourselves excitedly peering out the window awaiting our newest backpacking equipment deliveries! Another box of sleeping bags and sleeping pads should arrive in the next couple of weeks making our gear stores complete for 13 participants!  We're feeling deep gratitude for the wonderful and generous people who supported our Gear Raiser this past fall. We would not be wher...

October 7th, a group of curious and caring youth from Waterbury YSB joined Outside Perspectives on a day off from school for some exciting games, initiatives, and an opportunity to give back to a local park. After meeting new friends and getting to know each other a little better through some ice breakers we tested their ability to work together as a team. These folks caught on quickly using some newly acquired communication skills to solve problems together. [gallery ids="1775,1773,1770" type="rectangular"] We learned about some of the natural and wild surroundings in the local community and rallied together to remove  SEVEN OVERFLOWING BAGS  of trash from Fulton Park. Much of the garbage had clearly been polluting the beautiful park pond for many months, if not years. We were so grateful that these youth were willing to put in such a strong effort to help their community with a job many would choose to avoid. The youth made a HUGE difference while also having som...

On August 9th, four intrepid youth from the Future Leaders program , loaded into a van at The Bronx Zoo and headed up the Hudson River to Harriman State Park. The Future Leaders program is a youth and workforce development program that: Supports participants in developing their sense of social responsibility; Teaches critical life skills necessary for success in academics and/or employment pursuits; and Contributes tools for becoming effective leaders in communities and around the world. A little unsure of what to expect, participants packed their belongings, food, and gear into backpacks, and took off into the back country for four days. While members of this crew knew each other before the expedition, the group grew closer as they supported one another and began working as a team. The team was completely self supported, carrying everything it needed to survive. Participants cooked their own food, learned to read maps, found a new appreciation for nature, and slept in tents eac...