We All Belong (Outdoors)
Community is Powerful
Community has the power to remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Maybe you had a local rope tow, a town skating rink, or a gnarly sledding hill that highlighted your childhood winters. These are the types of community recreation spots that fill the need to get out into the winter air and share a space with others.
This is more important than ever right now. We are all feeling a bit beat down by isolation, by the pandemic, and by our personal and communal challenges. Given these circumstances, a sense of belonging is even more crucial. So, this winter make it a priority to get involved in something bigger than yourself, and get outdoors.
Leverage your Outdoors
We all know, that amid these most challenging times, the best place to make connections and interact is in the outdoors. Many of us feel like the outdoors is a place to escape society, but in truth, it’s a place where connections can blossom. It doesn’t always have to be about getting out in groups, but it can often be about a shared experience. Community can thrive in the outdoors, but it doesn’t happen by magic.
Creating successful outdoor programs, building trails, engaging participants of all ages, establishing gear libraries, sharing trail reports, and maintaining local resources within our communities are all important undertakings. These are part of the foundation of an active outdoor community, and they can only happen if people get involved and make it happen.
Meanwhile, the effort and challenges of engaging our communities outdoors requires a sustained effort. This is why it’s important to have a network of support to help work through the struggles we all face.
The OSI Community is just that, a free network that helps provide support and connection as we all work to build our communities through the outdoors.
Join Our Community
The OSI Community offers a place members can work together to engage toward common goals and make the outdoors accessible, fun, safe, and a place of learning for anyone interested.
These are just a few of the reasons to become an OSI Community member:
Access free games, skills, lesson plans, and other resources
Learn from others facing the same challenges in their communities
Connect with a peer-driven network of support
This year we’re adding more free trainings, monthly roundtables where you can connect with other members and gain insights, and downloadable guides to help you with everything from taking students skiing to planning community trails.
The OSI Community helps people learn how to -
Create and lead quality outdoor programs
Bring great trails to life
Make equipment available in the community
And it's Free.
Take One Step
With the winter season here, now is the time to look to our communities and outdoor assets to buoy our spirits. The outdoors is a resource we should all have access to, but to fully realize the potential of our surrounding community, involvement is critical. If you are interested in working to grow an active outdoor community where you live, take this easy step. Become a member of the OSI Community. It’s simple, free, and you can join here.