Outdoor Leadership Training Success Stories

Read how WTA's work has touched the lives of people across the state.

Sharing Joy in the Outdoors

Nov 29, 2017

At Pinnacle Explorations, the goal is simple: to help kids have a good time outside. With the help of WTA's Gear Library, Pinnacle is able to offer hands-on, outdoor workshops at an accessible cost for youth and families.

WTA's Gear Library Grows to Meet Increasing Demand for Outdoor Experiences

Sep 08, 2017

We are excited to share that our gear library now has a new home in a larger space, which will better accommodate the growing community of program partners and the ever-increasing amount of items available to borrow.

OLT Program Provides New Skills for International Students

Sep 18, 2017

Every August, WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program treks down to Green River College in Auburn for a workshop that gives WTA the chance to work with international students and gives those students the skills they need to lead outdoor trips. Our team is joined by six students from the International Student Ambassador (ISA) program, along with Green River staff.

Latina Youth Trail Crew Building Trails, Looking to the Future at Mount Rainier

Aug 15, 2017

Nine young women recently spent a week improving Mount Rainier trails, contemplating equity in the outdoors and stoking a passion for adventure, with a little help from Latino Outdoors, WTA and many others.

Ready to Explore

Jul 25, 2017

WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program provides resources to youth groups looking to expand their horizons in the outdoors. From planning and facilitating to outfitting these outdoor adventures, WTA resources for youth groups can be critical in breaking down barriers to getting outside.

Learn, Lead & Inspire: WTA's New Outdoor Leadership Program

Jun 04, 2014

WTA’s new Outdoor Leadership Training Program (OLT) will be oﬀering four resources to adults interested in leading trips on their own: workshops on a variety of trip-leading topics, a free gear-lending library, mini-grants for transportation and trip costs and ongoing community support to foster connections and crowdsource solutions to common problems.

Outdoor Leadership Training: Backpacking

Sep 15, 2016

Getting teachers and youth program coordinators out into the wilderness was a milestone in rounding out the suite of WTA learning experiences (including hiking, snowshoeing and camping workshops) available to schools and community organizations that want to increase access to the outdoors for the youth they serve.

A Transformative Experience

Jul 19, 2017

Every spring, a group of eighth grade students from Licton Springs K-8 School in Seattle embark on a week-long backpacking trip in one of Washington’s iconic locations. This June, the students headed out on a six night trip along Ross Lake in the North Cascades. To help make that trip possible, the students borrowed tents, packs, shoes and sleeping bags from WTA’s gear library.

Young WILD Leaders Get a Lift from Outdoor Leadership Training

May 12, 2017

Normally, our Outdoor Leadership Training program trains adults who work with youth. But last month, we were joined by a group of exceptional youth leaders who will use their new skills in their community.

Gear Library Helps Young Women Discover the Outdoors

Mar 16, 2017

Every time they go exploring, Young Women Empowered makes use of WTA's gear library to stay safe and comfortable. On a recent trip, many of their youth and mentors were able to experience the North Cascades for the first time.

Snowshoeing, Backpacking Workshops New to Outdoor Training Program in 2016

Feb 02, 2016

The WTA Outdoor Leadership Training program has expanded its offerings in 2016 to include backpacking and snowshoe workshops.

Outdoors Empowered Network Champions Equitable Access

Nov 18, 2015

The Outdoors Empowered Network is a growing a collective of organizations getting as many kids outdoors as possible. In November, WTA traveled to OEN's second national summit.

Getting First-Timers Into the Wild (and a Chili Recipe)

Sep 01, 2015

WTA's Gear Library helps get first-timers gain access to gear and know-how to experience the outdoors.

Spending a Day with Inspirational Educators on a Hiking Workshop

May 15, 2015

The Outdoor Leadership Training program offers hiking and camping workshops for youth group leaders. On a hiking workshop at Tiger Mountain, participants with a variety of backgrounds came together to share experiences and learn how to safely plan and lead outdoor activities with youth groups.

Lead an Outdoor Trip with Your Youth Group in 2015

Dec 03, 2014

Do you dream about taking your class or youth group on a hiking or camping trip? Make it happen this year! WTA will lend you free outdoor gear and provide trip funding. Get started by signing up for one of the 2015 Outdoor Leadership Training workshops.

WTA Joins the Outdoors Empowered Network

Nov 20, 2014

In early November, WTA Youth Program staff headed to Oakland and San Francisco for the inaugural National Summit of the new Outdoors Empowered Network, which is helping to support established organizations sharing the Outdoor Leadership Training model and seed similar new programs across the country.

Borrow Free Gear to Take Youth Groups Camping

Jun 03, 2014

Sign up for an overnight, entry-level course that covers the knowledge and skills to lead an overnight camping experience with a youth group. When you attend a workshop this summer, you’ll get access to high-quality camping and hiking gear through our free gear lending library. Workshop graduates can apply for $250 mini-grants to support outdoor youth experiences.

Slideshow: Bonding and Building Trails in a New Community

Mar 06, 2014

With help from WTA's gear lending library and mini-grants, a group of teens with the Coalition of Refugees from Burma gave back to Washington's trails and got to know each other better as they built a new section of trail on Cougar Mountain.