Connecting Youth, Adults, and Families to Minnesota's Cultural and Outdoor Heritage

Wilderness Inquiry will expand its work to provide a continuum of outdoor experiences for youth, adults, and families in communities across Minnesota by:

- Connecting 11,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities to Minnesota's outdoor heritage through a progression of outdoor adventures including day programs, virtual learning sessions, and overnight camping adventures. By hosting hybrid programs available to Minnesotans across the state, we reduce barriers to participation, reach a diverse array of participants, and support students with diverse learning styles. Virtual programs strengthen our in-person experiences by allowing us to engage students and families before and after the on-water Canoemobile program, leading to deeper engagement and impact.
- Providing standards-based educational content through hands-on activities that engage students with Minnesota history and culture. Program content, developed in collaboration with the National Park Service and other partners, is tied to Minnesota state standards to seamlessly integrate into school curriculum. In addition, even virtual sessions include a hands-on kit with materials and tools for active participation and experiential engagement.
- Providing training and career pathway opportunities that tie to outdoor careers and Minnesota's outdoor heritage.
- Supporting the physical, mental, and social-emotional wellbeing of Minnesota youth, adults, and families through immersive outdoor experiences.

Specific project activities teach Minnesota history and culture while building skills in camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, fire building, species identification, animal adaptations, and orienteering. By providing virtual instruction as well, WI delivers hands-on educational experiences in the outdoors that tie to classroom learning and enhance the distance-learning experience. For many participants, WI provides a foundation that offers the first immersive experience in the outdoors. Our youth programs have been shown to increase student confidence, improve persistence and grit, inspire interest in outdoors-related careers, and cultivate a stewardship ethic.

Our programs are designed to break down barriers to access for individuals and communities that are historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces and activities - specifically, individuals who identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+, those who experience financial inequity, and individuals with disabilities.