Borrow the OP Adventure Bus

Free rides to the outdoors — for Hudson Valley nonprofits and community groups.

Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to getting outside. Not every organization has a van, and gas and rentals add up fast. So we’re sharing ours. Thanks to the Open Space Institute’s Malcolm Gordon Charitable Fund, the OP Adventure Bus — our 15-passenger van, driven by a trained Outdoor Promise driver — brings your community to trails, parks, rivers, and outdoor programs across the Hudson Valley, at no cost.

Why we do this

Outdoor Promise builds community power for clean air, safe water, and equitable access to the outdoors, starting in Newburgh. The Adventure Bus is how we help other small organizations do the same — because a great outdoor program shouldn’t fall apart over a ride.

What’s included — free

• The 15-passenger OP Adventure Bus
• A trained, insured Outdoor Promise driver (you never have to arrange a driver)
• Round-trip transport to your outdoor destination within the Hudson Valley
• Friendly coordination with your team before the trip

What we ask of you

• Your trip gets people outdoors or into environmental / outdoor education (the mission the bus is funded for)
• You’re a nonprofit, school, faith group, mutual-aid group, or grassroots community organization
• Your group fits in the van (up to 14 riders, plus our driver); you provide adult chaperones and supervision
• You apply at least two weeks ahead and can be flexible if we have to reschedule for weather or availability
• Optional but appreciated: a photo or quick note afterward so we can show funders the impact

Who can apply

We’re prioritizing smaller organizations that increase access to the outdoors for communities that have been left out — especially groups serving youth, low-income families, immigrant and BIPOC communities, and people with limited transportation. You’re a good fit if:

• You’re a nonprofit, school, or community or faith-based group in the Hudson Valley (Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester and nearby)
• Your trip is about getting people outdoors or into environmental education
• You don’t have reliable, affordable transportation of your own

We’re a small team piloting this program, so we can’t say yes to every request — but we read every one and will always tell you where things stand.

How it works

1. Apply — Fill out the short form below (about 5 minutes).
2. We review — We check the fit and our driver’s availability and reply within 3 business days (72 hours).
3. We plan the trip together — We confirm date, pickup and drop-off, timing, and headcount.
4. We drive; you lead the adventure — Our driver handles the road; you run your program.

Apply for the Adventure Bus

Please apply at least two weeks before your preferred trip date — earlier is better, since dates fill up. A request isn’t a confirmed booking until we reply to lock it in.

Good to know

• Is it really free? Yes — no fee, no gas charge, and no required donation. It’s a grant-funded community program.
• Do we drive it? No — an Outdoor Promise driver always drives. You focus on your group.
• How many people fit? Up to 14 riders, plus our driver.
• How far will it go? Anywhere in the Hudson Valley, generally within about a 90-minute drive of Newburgh. Ask us if you’re near the edge.
• How much notice do you need? At least two weeks — earlier is better.
• Can it be recurring? Tell us in the form; we’ll do our best within our pilot capacity.
• Accessibility or car seats? Note any needs in the form so we can plan.
• What about liability? Riders (or a parent or guardian for minors) complete Outdoor Promise’s Risk Release form before the trip.

Support the Adventure Bus

Every free ride is powered by grants and donations. If your organization can’t apply but wants to help keep the wheels turning, you can chip in to the Adventure Bus Fund — completely separate from any trip request, and never a condition of borrowing the bus.