blog – programs

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and we’re shining a light on how critical our programs are in equipping our youth with the skills, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Last fall, we weren’t sure how this winter season would look. Together, we focused on our youth. Our goal was to remain steadfast in supporting each participant every step of the way.

Since our founding in 1993, our work has been grounded in creating a more diverse, vibrant, and supportive community for marginalized youth. The power of this community has never proved as intensely critical as right now. The inequities exposed for kids struggling with economic, racial, social, and societal barriers have never been more amplified.

Thanks to our incredible partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team and Armada Skis, last weekend Olympic athletes Steven Nyman and Brita Sigourney joined our Utah community to ski alongside 95 of our Mentor program youth at Park City Mountain. 

As the pandemic continues to sweep through our communities, we have doubled down on our efforts to provide consistent support, foster critical life skills, and strengthen our connection to meet the needs of our youth. We remain steadfast in our mission to stand by our participants’ side through an unprecedented season. 

We believe that connection, support, and opportunity are the necessary ingredients for youth success. Our programs are designed to create strong leaders across our communities, but that doesn’t stop after youth graduate SOS. We’re excited to share that we’re launching a new SOS Alumni Network, Continuing the Circle! The goal is to create a thriving community for our alumni to connect, collaborate, and engage with our current participants, SOS partners, and each other.

Valeria’s story is part 1 in a multi-part series that highlights the long-term success of SOS with first-hand experiences from several alumni.

Our year three Mentor program participants embark on a leadership-driven service project completely designed by them. With their Mentor groups comprising 4-6 kids, they examine needs in their communities, explore prominent issues they want to address, and develop and outline tangible solutions. These kids are making a very direct difference right where they live.

“SOS has been my support system,” shares SOS alum, Jessica. “My junior year was really stressful. I was overwhelmed with applying for college, with school work, all the aspects of your education that start to mean a lot more as you get closer to graduation. Going to SOS was really beneficial for my mental health. Spending those 8 hours with friends on the mountain actually helped me center myself and go home with a better attitude and a more productive work ethic.”

At SOS, we often highlight how the skills our kids learn on the mountain translate to overcoming obstacles in their own lives: getting up after you fall, encouraging and cheering on peers, trying something challenging and new. Dr. Casey Wolfington, a licensed clinical psychologist at Eagle Valley Behavioral Health in Colorado, reaffirms why these skills and attitudes help guide our youth during difficult situations like this.

Community and human connection are at the core of our mission at SOS. When we teach kids to ski, snowboard, backpack, and climb in a safe and encouraging environment—we also introduce them to new positive and supportive relationships.

Our mentor/mentee relationships are a crucial component of our kids’ success. Many of our kids lack consistent, positive adult role models, and it can be tough to know who to turn to when the terrain gets steep. Now more than ever, these bonds are key in helping our youth persevere.

Last month, we began a series of season reflections to highlight the voices of kids, volunteers, and partners that make up the SOS family. In this month’s installment, we travel to programs across Colorado, Lake Tahoe, and the Midwest as our program managers share a few insights into the incredible youth and mentors that helped make this season so special.

As our program coordinators wrap up their seasons, we asked them to reflect on the year and share their favorite parts of the season. Below, we share their answers and their insights into the impact of their work.

April marks the close of our winter programs and although we are unable to celebrate in-person, we are proud to start a series of season reflections to highlight the voices of kids, volunteers, and partners that make up the SOS family. In this month’s installment, program team members across Lake Tahoe, Utah, and Colorado share a few insights into the incredible youth and mentors that helped make this season so special. 

When kids are asked who their role models are, many point to professional athletes as figures they admire. Athletes embody strength, courage, determination, and discipline—and motivate us to set goals and dream big.

Kids at our Seattle program excitedly welcomed two such inspiring role models, former Seahawks and Super Bowl champions, Cooper Helfet and DeShawn Shead, at our recent program day hosted at The Summit at Snoqualmie.

How To Get Outdoors During the COVID-19 Pandemic **Local advisories are changing by the hour, please check your local regulations…

SOS OUTREACH’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 The situation is changing day-to-day, so we will continue to update this blog with new…

history in the making -2,005 SOS Kids On the slopes with SOS this week   There is a simple joy…

The Power of Mentorship January is National Mentoring Month and we’re sharing stories that highlight how our mentors make a…

New Faces! Please join us in welcoming a few new faces to our incredible staff team! Elizabeth Williams has joined…

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Jaqueline Earlier this year, we put out an Alumni Survey to reconnect with some of our past…

Reflections from the field. Backpacking in yosemite By Amina Hughes, North Lake Tahoe Program Manager “Between every two pine trees…

Reflections From The Field: Building Relationships In The Outdoors By Brooke Carlsen, Eagle County Program Manager This past summer at…

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Austin Earlier this year, we put out an Alumni Survey to reconnect with some of our past…

Earlier this year, we put out an Alumni Survey to reconnect with some of our past participants. Let’s just say, we have…

This winter, SOS partnered with Vail Resorts mountains Heavenly, Northstar, Park City, Beaver Creek, and other corporate partners Loveland, Copper, and…

As we wrap up our 25th season, we celebrate the culmination of our mentoring programs with graduation ceremonies across our…

Last month, we put out an Alumni Survey to reconnect with some of our past participants. Let’s just say, we have been overwhelmed…

Meet North Lake Tahoe Junior Mentor, Isabella! Now in ninth grade, Isabella has been in SOS for seven years and…

As our participants gear up for the largest week of winter programs, we are humbled and inspired by the unbelievable…

This month kicks off winter program registration across SOS locations! This winter, over 3,500 youth across the country will experience…

As we enter our 25th year of changing the lives of youth, we take this moment to look back, celebrate,…

Staff Contributor, Scott Partan The success and impacts of our backpacking trips has been absolutely amazing this summer season. During…

SOS Staff Contributor, Joan Dieter Learn to Mountain Bike (LTMB) at Keystone was an amazing experience for both me and…

It was all smiles from the kids on the Colorado National Monument trips this May. Throughout the month, 6 elementary…

This month, we celebrate SOS University participant Jorge, a ninth-grade student in Park City, who was selected as Utah Student of…

Staff Contributor, Gillian Lane “Ok, where do I do go next?” asked 9-year-old Eduardo as he clung 15 feet up…

As the largest winter season in SOS Outreach’s 24-year history comes to a close, there is a lot to celebrate…

In the past month, SOS Outreach joined forces with Beaver Creek Resort and Copper Mountain to bring the first annual…

We caught up with SOS Outreach graduate, Travis to ask him about his experiences in SOS and the lessons he…

It’s not often that the opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of life and connect with nature presents…

EAGLE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES, CO The mountains may be closing in Colorado, but for Colorado Masters students the season is far…

With a brief window between winter and summer programming, the SOS team is hard at work making final preparations for…

Throughout the year, SOS University Year 4 participants explore leadership through experiential exercises aimed at defining and understanding their own…

As the largest winter season in SOS Outreach’s history comes to a close, the organization is excited to announce that…

MT. BRIGHTON, MI — Mt. Brighton announced today it will partner with the nationally acclaimed SOS Outreach organization for five…

DENVER, CO – The annual SnowSports Industries America (SIA) tradeshow is an opportunity for snowsports companies to showcase the styles,…

VAIL, CO – Winter brings along with it another season of SOS Outreach outdoor adventure-based leadership programming, providing at-risk youth in…

On Wednesday, August 12th, SOS Outreach held its inaugural Industry Day in Boulder, Colorado. A select group of 22 high…

Sara Henley is an AmeriCorps VISTA member with SOS. She recently joined our Masters students on their summer backpacking trip,…

Ever wonder what an SOS summer program looks like? Join us as we take a sneak peek into a Backyard…

Since its inception in 1993, SOS Outreach has expanded upwards and outwards to provide long-term programming for underserved youth.  After…

Here at SOS, we value getting outside, and think it is especially important for kids. That’s why we kick off…