Being outdoors should be accessible for all.
During the pandemic, Spirit of the Sun saw many of our community members becoming disconnected from the outdoors. For the youth who showed interest in outdoor activities, we witnessed repeated barriers of race, money, transportation, and lack of experience. As people who are originally from this land, we view these barriers to access as especially harmful. So, we responded.
Since 2021, we have been partnering with Share Winter Foundation to bring Native youth up to the mountains for skiing and snowboarding lessons. We have since launched our Youth Winter Sports Program to help keep youth engaged in doing extracurricular outdoor activities year round. Our goal in this programs is to keep Native kids engaged with the natural world through winter sports that will build self confidence, create lasting relationships, and tackle both the physical and mental health risks that are compounded by a sedentary lifestyle along the way!
Please email contact@spiritofthesun.org if you are interested in chaperoning for our Youth Winter Sports Program OR if you would like to sign your youth up to participate. Registration for the 2027 program will open in December 2026.
