When we think of our school age years, it’s not often that sitting in a classroom day in and day out that we remember the most. Usually, it’s the times we went outside the school’s walls that we made the best of memories.
In an effort to encourage engagement with the outdoors there’s Adventure Crew.
“Adventure Crew is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting city teens in Greater Cincinnati with nature and each other through engaging outdoor activities,” explains Shauna Steigerwald, Communications and Event Manager at Adventure Crew. “Through challenging monthly adventures, city teens develop the courageous spirit to step out of their comfort zone and discover new worlds – outside in nature and inside themselves. This deep connection to nature will set a positive course for their lives – and help create the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The inspiration for such a nonprofit came from a Cincinnati Public Schools teacher back in 2012. They questioned what would happen if students went on an outdoor adventure. That one question led to a trip of local teens and teachers from Hughes High School to head out to the Little Miami River for a five-mile float, sharing canoes, lunch, and a transformative experience.
“Since that first paddling trip, Adventure Crew has grown to serve a roster of some 700 students in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, providing monthly adventures for city teens at no cost,” says Steigerwald.
The mission at Adventure Crew is to find inspiration in the natural world while simultaneously creating a future where all city teens are able to experience the empowering and therapeutic effects of the Great Outdoors. “We want to create a future where all fear is conquered, confidence is gained, and peace of mind is discovered,” she says.
The outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards behind Adventure Crew include a full-time staff of four and 16 weekend staffers who facilitate the organization’s Saturday adventures. There are also countless volunteers to keep the trips and events running smoothly.
The team at Adventure Crew changes up the adventures monthly in order to get the full experience of the outdoors in whatever season we are in. “On a given Saturday, you might find our Crew kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, rock climbing, ice skating, or skiing and snowboarding, among other activities,” says Steigerwald. “Through our Crew Pathways program, interested students can delve deeper into topics related to conservation and green careers.”
Steigerwald says that what makes Adventure Crew so unique is the accessibility and frequency of adventures offered. “Our school-based model means that any kid in the building can join – there’s no testing in or trying out, and our adventures are free, so lack of finances isn’t an obstacle,” she says. “There are similar recreation organizations in the country, like Colorado and California, but none offer as many students the opportunity to adventure so frequently. We believe that consistent access to nature helps build a lifestyle of healthy living and environmental stewardship for city teens.”
Currently, all high schools within the Cincinnati Public Schools district, seventh and eighth graders in select CPS elementary schools, and six schools in Northern Kentucky are part of Adventure Crew. For students who go to these participating schools, the organization is always interested in the opportunity to reach additional students and show them the joys of the Great Outdoors. Students in the schools Adventure Crew serves can contact the club advisor at their building to learn more about joining.
Community members who want to support the Adventure Crew mission can do so in multiple ways. Steigerwald says that they host several community events, including the Ohio River Paddlefest, the nation’s largest paddling celebration, or the Great Ohio River Swim, the only open water swim across the Ohio River and back. Additionally, volunteer opportunities are available for events and Saturday adventures and through the end of February, they’re selling chances to win a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year bourbon. There’s also the option to make a donation to fund adventures and support the mission.
To learn more about Adventure Crew, visit www.adventurecrew.org. you can also follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see their work in action and stay up-to-date with community events and activities.
