Outdoor Mentorship
Help Youth Discover the Outdoors — One Adventure at a Time
Elevate Youth’s Outdoor Mentor Program connects caring adults with Boston youth to explore nature together. As a mentor, you’ll join a school-based cohort of 12–15 students and support them during weekly enrichment sessions and monthly outdoor field trips. It’s a chance to share awe, build trust, and help young people develop lifelong confidence and outdoor skills.
How it Works
Weekly Enrichment Sessions
Each cohort meets once a week on a designated weekday (Monday–Thursday). During the first three sessions of every month, mentors join youth at their school for enrichment time focused on outdoor and life skills. Activities range from winter layering, knot tying, fly casting, and outdoor cooking to teamwork, leadership, patience, and resilience. All sessions are facilitated by Elevate Youth Outdoor Instructors—mentors support the group but are never responsible for leading or supervising alone.
Monthly Field Trip
The final session of each month is a field trip to a local outdoor recreation area within an hour of Boston. Youth are released early from school, loaded into the 14-passenger van, and spend the afternoon hiking, fishing, paddling, or trying a new seasonal activity. Trips typically run from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM and are completely free for mentors and students, with Elevate Youth providing transportation, gear, clothing, expert instruction, and healthy lunches and snacks.
What to Expect
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Activities May Include
Mentors take part in a wide range of seasonal outings that help youth build outdoor skills and confidence. Depending on the time of year, activities may include hiking, fishing, rock climbing, outdoor cooking, gardening or farming, sailing, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, or camping. Each trip is designed to introduce youth to new environments, build teamwork, and encourage healthy, active lifestyles.
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What Mentors Receive
Mentors receive full training before getting started and ongoing support throughout the program. Elevate Youth provides all clothing, equipment, food, transportation, and instruction for every outing—there’s no need to bring your own gear. You’ll never be the sole adult responsible for youth; Outdoor Instructors lead all lessons and facilitate each activity. Schedules are communicated clearly, and mentors are notified of cancellations with at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.