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Outdoors for All Foundation 

Description

Outdoors for All enriches the quality of life for more than 2,000 children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation each year. We offer year-round therapeutic programs such as skiing, snowboarding, cycling, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock-climbing and water sports. Children as young as five years old, and adults as old as 87, are active with Outdoors for All in communities throughout the region. More than 700 volunteers are active in helping individuals with disabilities exercise their abilities. Outdoors for All is the region's premier provider of adaptive and therapeutic outdoor recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.

Mission Statement
Outdoors for All Foundation's mission is to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.
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Outdoors for All Foundation
6344 NE 74th St Ste 102 
Seattle 
WA
98115 
(206) 838-6030 

Ed Bronsdon 
Executive Director 

Programs

Outdoors for All Foundation Programs

Outdoor recreation in the Northwest is for everyone! Outdoors for All offers a variety of on-snow and off-snow recreational activities designed for children and adults with disabilities. We encourage family & friends to join in the fun where appropriate. Outdoors for All therapeutic recreation programs are designed to include people with disabilities in typical Pacific Northwest outdoor activities and to promote education, independence, socializing, exposure to adaptive equipment and techniques, and, of course - to have a lot of fun!         

Each year Outdoors for All partners with a variety of community organizations, parks and recreation departments, hospitals and schools to bring the fun and therapeutic benefits of outdoor recreation directly to them. A Custom Event means that we design an adaptive recreation program to meet the specific needs of each partner. Custom Events often feature adaptive cycling (we have over 40 different kinds of cycles) but can include other activities such as snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, river rafting, camping, adaptive water ski sports, rock climbing and more. Let Outdoors for All bring a Custom Event to your annual picnic, meeting, camp or other community event.           

Private lessons are available to individuals with disabilities in trying new adaptive recreation activities and sports, looking for coaching to get to the next level, or as an alternative for those who require flexibility to accommodate their schedule. Lessons and private consultations are available in downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, cycling, kayaking, rock climbing and more.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

In we received the 2009 Jimmie Heuga Community Service award by the Far West Ski Association for our efforts at Washington state's three largest ski resorts. Our recreation base-camp of operations at Seattle's Magnuson Park remains a key location for delivering many therapeutic recreation programs for many children and adults with disabilities. Private fundraising has been key for us in underwriting these life transforming therapeutic recreation programs and for achieving these successes. Without support, these programs are in jeopardy.       

So many children and adults with disabilities rely on Outdoors for All. Our therapeutic recreation programs keep growing because participants with disabilities and their family members rely on us to open up the outdoors for them. Yet we know that there are many more participants who would benefit from and would like the opportunity to exercise their abilities outdoors. We need your support to do so.

Evaluation


Outdoors for All Foundation serves children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities through outdoor recreation and education activities. Over 700 volunteers help to put on winter and summer events such as skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and water sports.

Collaboration
Outdoors for All collaborates with organizations serving disabled children and adults through a variety of one time special events and as well as ongoing programming. One of the more innovative collaborations Outdoors for All is involved with is the Wounded Warriors Project in conjunction with the Warrior Transition Battalion at Joint Base Lewis -McChord (JBLM). Members of the Warrior Transition program returning home to civilian life especially benefit from the ability to participate in adaptive recreation. According to participants, engaging in high adrenaline activities such as snowboarding and skiing help to ease the transition back into civilian life, especially after a major injury.

Leadership
The work of Outdoors for All would not be possible without the strong leadership of the Board of Directors and over 700 engaged volunteers. The organization recently underwent a strategic planning process focused on operational efficiencies, resource development and business practices. Long range plans include expanding their facilities and increasing revenue generating opportunities.

Use of Best Practices
Outdoors for All follows the best practices of Therapeutic Recreation, including a quality of life assessment that looks at the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of a participant’s life. Outdoors for All utilizes a Certified Recreational Therapist on staff in addition to a second staff member with an Occupational Therapy degree. Volunteers for the organization include Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Medical Doctors.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
12/14/2006 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/16/2004 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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