2025 Impact Highlight
Adams County, Front Range Region
Eco-Explorers program creates access to outdoor learning, exploration and recreation for youth
Youth in the Front Range often experience barriers to engaging in meaningful time in Colorado’s natural spaces. Eco-Explorers empowers middle school youth to explore nature and their interests, build comfort in local outdoor spaces, and increase knowledge of ecosystems, conservation, environmental science, and stewardship.
The summer program addresses the gap in access to safe, engaging, and educational outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and environmental responsibility. Through activities such as hiking, exploring nearby parks and trails, and an overnight camp, youth are exposed to places and opportunities they might not otherwise access. The program is designed to spark curiosity, inspire new interests, and build confidence for future outdoor learning, exploration and recreation.
Impact and Outcomes
Campers completed pre- and post-surveys measuring environmental attitudes, interest in learning, and stewardship actions. Results showed that Eco-Explorers strengthened campers’ connection to nature while sparking joy, curiosity, and a lasting sense of inspiration.
When asked, “How did this program make you feel?,” participants repeated words like happy, fun, and adventurous and they also ranked the program an 8.9/10.
After comparing the pre- and post-survey, environmental attitudes increased the most: Campers felt that humans are a part of nature, not separate from it, that they have the power to protect the environment, and they felt it is important to take good care of the environment.
The positive environmental attitude was also reflected in the final qualitative question, “After this camp, what do you intend to do differently in your life?”
Campers reported that they intended to:
- spend more time outdoors (hiking, playing, and exploring nature)
- practice environmental responsibility (Leave No Trace, recycling, proper waste disposal)
- share knowledge with others about caring for nature.
- learn new outdoor skills, such as fishing
Eco-Explorers fosters a lifelong connection to nature by inspiring youth to spend more time outdoors, practice environmental responsibility, and share their knowledge with others. By equipping middle schoolers with skills, confidence, and curiosity, the program cultivates the next generation of environmental stewards who contribute to healthier communities and ecosystems.