Brooklyn and Queens recently became hubs for outdoor education as over 60 teachers from more than 50 schools participated in specialized training conducted by the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) and sponsored by the Dallas Safari Club Northeast Chapter. This initiative provided educators with the tools and knowledge to bring outdoor skills and conservation lessons to their classrooms and a deeper connection to nature among urban students.
On May 13-14, OTF’s Director of Education Scot McClure and Outdoor Adventures Coordinator Tari Garner led dynamic training sessions tailored for physical education instructors. The program introduced teachers to hands-on OTF’s outdoor skills such as using a compass, casting a fishing rod, tying fishing knots, and teaching critical survival techniques. The sessions also covered topics like hiking, camping, and wildlife conservation, equipping educators to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. They have since been invited back to continue their expansion efforts.
Outdoor Adventures (OA), the premier outdoor education curriculum developed and implemented by the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) has expanded into NYC, having been implemented in 38 schools across Brooklyn and Queens with Manhattan coming soon. The curriculum launched in 2010 in Texas and has since gained traction nationwide. With a 95% retention rate, Outdoor Adventures has grown steadily and is poised to accelerate this growth with the support of other like-minded organizations.
“Training NYC teachers was one of the most engaging trainings we’ve ever done! The teachers were so eager to learn outdoor skills and how to teach those skills in a variety of settings. Outdoor Adventures is going to be an exciting addition to NYC physical education programs – teachers and students alike will love it!”
Tari Garner
Outdoor Adventures Coordinator, Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation
“Working with Outdoors Tomorrow has been a privilege. They’ve infused our endeavors with excitement, energy, and the essential skills required to bring outdoor education to life in the heart of NYC. Their support has been instrumental in delivering practical skills and knowledge tailored to the constraints faced by our teachers in the city.”
Anthony Carrano
District 20 Physical Education Instructional Lead, NYC Department of Education
Outdoor Adventures is a fun, interactive course where students are taught lifelong skills using an integrated, 40-unit curriculum comprising math, science, writing and critical thinking skills. The 400+ lessons cover lifelong skills including angler education, archery, hunter education, boater education, orienteering, survival skills, camping, outdoor cooking, challenge courses, backpacking, mountain bike camping, paddle sports, rock climbing, shooting sports, CPR/first aid and fauna, flora and wilderness medicine.
Outdoor Adventures impacts 160,000+ elementary, middle, and high school students every year, creating tomorrow’s hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationists, and outdoor industry professionals. Last year, in Texas alone, 19,000 students earned their hunter education certificate due to being in an Outdoor Adventures class.
About Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation
The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is a public nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in the Dallas, Texas area. OTF’s Outdoor Adventures K-12 curriculum may be taught in any public or private school, and is most often taught as a PE course. More than 27 million classroom hours of outdoor education have been taught since the program started, reaching 160,000+ students annually. The OTF in-school outdoor education curriculum is now in 1,500+ schools in all 50 states and Canada.
About Dallas Safari Club Foundation
Dallas Safari Club Foundation is an organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of wildlife through public engagement, education and advocacy for well-regulated hunting and sustainable use. In the past couple years, millions of dollars have been channeled to qualified projects, organizations and programs in support of their mission. For more information, please visit https://www.biggame.org/.
Facebook and Instagram: @outdoorstomorrowfoundation
For interviews, contact: Ashli Bock - 830-739-9145 - ashli@130a.com
For more information on Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, visit gootf.com
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