A Free River Camp Connects Cortez Youth to the Outdoors—and Builds Relationships | LOR Foundation
Complete Environment

A Free River Camp Connects Cortez Youth to the Outdoors—and Builds Relationships

Cortez
  • Local Champion: Dolores River Boating Advocates
  • Date Funded: May 6, 2022
  • Grant Amount: $13,000

Recent surveys conducted by Montezuma Inspire Coalition (a group of nonprofits, businesses, and government organizations interested in serving youth and the outdoors) revealed a drop in participation in outdoor activities among middle school youth in the Cortez area—a problem because a lack of meaningful connection to the outdoors has negative impacts on health and well-being. Among the barriers to middle schoolers accessing the outdoors: transportation (middle school students can’t drive and many parents do not have time to provide transportation) and financial limitations (equipment can be expensive). Complicating matters further, in summer months, the same middle school youth lose the daily connection with their peers and trusted adults—just one more blow to their well-being. Staff at Dolores River Boating Advocates had a idea for how to help: Launch a free five-day immersive river camp program for middle schoolers to keep them connected to nature in a fun, safe way, while also building positive relationships with peers and trusted adults. LOR’s funding supported the purchase of equipment, and transportation and contractors costs to ensure the success of the camps.

In The News

Dolores Boating Group Launches a New River Camp for Young People (Cortez Journal)

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Environment Solutions
Environment / Cortez Skeet Houses Expand Shooting Sports in Cortez
Local Champion:
Cortez Trap Club
Date funded:
February 18, 2025
Grant Amount:
$9,900
Environment / Taos Baseball Workshops Give Taos Youth a Chance to Play Ball
Local Champion:
The Baseball School Incorporated
Date funded:
February 12, 2025
Grant Amount:
$9,450
Environment / Libby A Grant Expert Helps Libby Sustain Its Parks
Local Champion:
Libby Parks District
Date funded:
January 28, 2025
Grant Amount:
$8,000
Environment / Libby A Mower Expands Summer Trail Access in Libby
Local Champion:
The Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club
Date funded:
January 15, 2025
Grant Amount:
$7,500
Environment / Taos Avalanche Beacons Help Safeguard Taos Youth on the Slopes
Local Champion:
Taos Sports Association
Date funded:
December 20, 2024
Grant Amount:
$18,160
Environment / Lander A Free Gear Library With Butchering Equipment Makes Hunting Accessible to More Lander Locals
Local Champion:
Wyoming Wildlife Federation
Date funded:
December 19, 2024
Grant Amount:
$29,345
See All solutions

Share a Solution

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.