Redefining Wilderness Discussion Forum

There is mounting awareness of the importance of getting youth into the outdoors and into life. The most commonly seen barrier preventing this from happening is TRANSPORTATION! “I like playing inside better’ cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are” is a quote by a fourth grader in San Diego and comes from a book titled “Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” Concerns for getting youth outdoors has struck a nerve in youth-serving entities including; schools, church groups, youth serving non-profits and state and federal agencies. Even health organizations are looking to outdoor recreation to help combat childhood obesity.

Why a transportation system/program is needed:
1. Today’s youth do not have adequate access to transportation to the outdoors.
2. Today’s youth are faced with increased parental control resulting from valid safety concerns.
3. Youth based organizations don’t have the necessary infrastructure capabilities to provide transportation to wilderness.
4. Transportation is expensive!
5. Increased regulations in van safety and highway state patrol requirements.

Goal: Develop dialogue between transportation providers and youth serving agencies that explores potential solutions to overcoming the transportation barrier.

Objectives:
1. Have an open discussion of ways at getting at potential solution.
2. Identify transportation needs from various youth based organizations.
3. Develop communication network between transportation providers and youth serving agencies.
4. Outline next steps this group can take at identifying solutions.

Would someone from your organization like to be part of this exciting discussion and working group as we take the first steps? Whether or not you are able to attend the Redefining Wilderness Symposium, we hope that you can assign a contact person and share your initial ideas about the Youth to Wilderness Transportation Workshop. To learn more contact Ben Lara at blaracsu@hotmail.com or (970)215-5023.