Summer of (Outdoor) Service

Launched at last year's Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, The Outdoor Foundation's 'I Will' campaign challenged members of the outdoor industry to take at least two kids outside in the next year. More than 2,500 responded and many shared their stories and photos.

Now Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, is getting in on the act. Using the 'I Will' campaign as a model, Secretary Salazar has called on every adult in America to take a child outdoors this summer as part of the White House's 'Summer of Service' initiative. The Outdoor Foundation helped kick off the event in San Francisco in June.

Join this summer's efforts by signing the 'I Will' pledge! If you'd like to get your company involved in 'I Will,' download The Foundation's online resources and follow the lead of companies like Cloudveil who combined the 'I Will' campaign with an all day service project restoring an outdoor play area for an early education center.

Outdoor Kids Toolkit

Are you passionate about the outdoors but new to getting kids outside? In addition to the online 'I Will' resources, The Outdoor Foundation has produced an 'Outdoor Kids Toolkit' designed to help experienced outdoor enthusiasts learn the best practices of leading kids outdoors and working with groups of youth.

You can view the toolkit at www.outdoorfoundation.org/lead.

The multimedia resource introduces new outdoor leaders and mentors to the soft skills that make great outdoor leaders. The material highlights stories, advice, and lessons gathered from professional outdoor leaders around the country. Their shared experiences inspire you and help outdoor enthusiasts grow as outdoor leaders.

The Outdoor Kids Toolkit was made possible by support from REI and Saucony.