Committed to providing an opportunity for all children to gain confidence and self-esteem through participation in outdoor activities

Leadership

Our Leadership program is the cornerstone of Outdoor Outreach programming. Through an application and interview process, promising teens are selected to participate in an intensive, year-long training that provides them with the skills necessary to instruct and mentor program participants. The program is designed to promote each individual’s natural leadership strengths while providing tangible academic, emotional and social support. Part of this exciting process is giving candidates the opportunity to teach and mentor their peers through a paid internship after completing their training. Ten youth have completed the leadership training and are now helping to supervise Outdoor Outreach trips. We continue to monitor these young leaders as they balance their part-time jobs at Outdoor Outreach, college classes, financial independence and the challenges of moving into the world as working adults.

Leaders of Tomorrow

This year Outdoor Outreach welcomed four new participants to the leadership program: Guillermo Martinez, Idris Ahmed, Gaby Hernandez and Stephanie Munoz.

Guillermo Martinez, Leadership Participant from 2010-present

  • Age: 17
  • Program: Crawford High School
  • Favorite Activity: Snowboarding

This program has done countless things for me. It has strengthened my inner self which has helped me realize what I love to do and what I believe in. You can't have a great organization without great employees and this is where the staff comes in. Every time I see them I see opportunity. They are happy people who aren't too serious and aren't afraid to take chances. They inspire me because no matter how tired or frustrated they are they are always dedicated and never give up. I don't really know where I would be without them.

Idris Ahmed, Leadership Participant from 2010-present

  • Age: 17
  • Program: Crawford High School
  • Favorite Activity: Rock Climbing

The attitude of the people is to help you; they're not going to tell you what to do. They aren't going to be like a teacher. They let you explore. A lot of the time people tell me to do things and I have to listen or get punished. At Outdoor Outreach they tell me to just have fun so there is not much of a worry I can just relax and be myself. If I wasn't involved in Outdoor Outreach I wouldn't be as confident as I am right now.

Gaby Hernandez, Leadership Participant from 2010-present

  • Age: 17
  • Program: El Cajon Valley High School
  • Favorite Activity: Rock Climbing

I like that anyone can come in. Everyone is welcome. It's like a family. Everybody gets really close. You start to trust the people, and when you do that, you might try something you never would usually try because you know someone is there for you. The people are always happy and so energetic. It makes you want to get up and jump around with them. There is a positive energy everywhere. Everyone is encouraging each other and laughing about something. It's really upbeat.

Stephanie Munoz, Leadership Participant from 2010-present

  • Age: 16
  • Program: Toussaint Academy
  • Favorite Activity: Snowboarding

I like just being a role model and inspiring other kids. I've been through a lot in my life but I'm still going. I want to go to college and want to be a leader for my little brothers. To be a leader means to do the right stuff when no one is looking. It's when no one is watching or expecting it. Outdoor Outreach is kind of like a second home for me.

Ryan Hudson, Leadership Participant from 2004-present

In January I competed in my first ever Big Mountain Snowboarding Competition called "The North Face Masters of Snowboarding." I was competing alongside some of the biggest names in the business: Travis Rice, Rob Kingwill, Mark Carter, Ralph Backstrom, Ryland Bell, and so many more. There were a total of 76 Male athletes and I placed 17th! I was also given the "North Face Masters Young Gun" award:

"The North Face Young Gun award recognizes riders under the age of 25 that demonstrate raw talent and innovation in their riding style. Young Gun award recipients embody the big mountain riding culture and are the future of the sport."

I was stoked to know that I had placed high among some of the best riders in the world!

My original goal was to place top 30 and move on with my life, I would have been pleased with 28th even 30th but, to my surprise I rose way above my own bar and came out the "Young Gun". It is the first trophy I had ever won for anything in my entire life. I wanted to cry on the podium. Crushing a goal you set for yourself is an accomplishment worth achieving.