Thanks to four new grants and a growing team, Outdoor Promise is expanding access to nature through free hikes, youth leadership, and transportation programs in 2025.
It’s been a busy few months, with some very exciting thing in the horizon!
Big news to kick things off: Outdoor Promise has been awarded four generous grants that will allow us to expand our programs in 2025 and deepen our commitment to equitable access to nature.
Because of this new support, we will:
- Grow our free community hikes, including family-friendly and beginner options
- Expand youth leadership training through our REP Nature Leadership Program
- Provide transportation to outdoor spaces for Newburgh residents
We’re deeply grateful to Scenic Hudson, the Palisades Parks Conservancy, the Awesome Newburgh Foundation, and the Hudson River Valley Greenway for investing in our mission and helping us turn our vision into action.
Meet the Leaders Shaping Outdoor Promise’s Future
We’re proud to introduce this year’s REP (Respect, Explore, Protect) Nature Leadership Program cohort, a remarkable group of young leaders from Newburgh who will help guide hikes, assist with environmental education, and serve as role models for the next generation of outdoor stewards.
We also welcome Heloisa, our new Communications and Program Consultant. Heloisa is already hard at work helping us tell the Outdoor Promise story, connect with our community, and organize programs behind the scenes.
“Hi everyone! I’m Heloisa, originally from Brazil, mom to a funny and fierce preteen, and a yoga teacher on the side. I’m super excited to join the Outdoor Promise team and support the amazing work happening in this community. I’m all about connection, storytelling, and togetherness. I am looking forward to meeting all of you!
Upcoming Events
We have two upcoming hikes this month. Join us!
05/17 – Community Hike to Snake HillJoin our FREE community adventure to Snake Hill’s summit on Saturday, May 17th, for breathtaking Hudson Valley panoramas and a family-friendly outdoor connection. In collaboration with the Sanctuary Healing Garden, Crystal Lake will also host a variety of other activities.
05/31 – Community Hike at Black Creek PreserveJoin us for a FREE, easy hike at Black Creek Preserve—open to all and perfect for enjoying nature and connecting with others. Scenic Hudson will also host many other activities.
🚍 Sponsor Our Community Bus — and Our Shared Mission
This year, we are proud to have launched the Outdoor Promise School Bus as a cornerstone of our transportation equity work. We’re honored to have Parks and Trails NY and Hudson Highlands Land Trust as early sponsors, providing vital funding that helps cover transportation for community hikes and youth programs.
We are actively seeking additional sponsors to support the bus’s operation and expand its reach. If your organization is interested in sponsoring the OP School Bus or knows a potential partner, please reach out. Together, we can remove barriers and open doors to nature for even more families.
What’s Ahead
Our monthly community updates will bring you stories from the field, upcoming events, behind-the-scenes insights, and ways to get involved. We’ll also highlight the partners, youth leaders, and community members driving our mission forward.
Thank you for being part of Outdoor Promise. Your belief in our work is what makes everything possible. Here’s to the journeys ahead and the trails we’ll walk together.
