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 A Mower Preserves the Cortez Cemetery’s Sacred Space
Local Champion:
Cortez Cemetery District
Date funded:
May 13, 2025
Grant Amount:
$7,000
Environment / Libby A Pedal Track Encourages Young Libby Riders
Local Champion:
Libby Outdoor Recreation Association
Date funded:
May 6, 2025
Grant Amount:
$10,000
Environment / Questa Community Clean-Up Days Offer Free Waste Disposal in Questa
Local Champion:
Village Of Questa
Date funded:
May 2, 2025
Grant Amount:
$4,033
Environment / Lander Camping Equipment Opens Outdoor Recovery Experience for Lander Families
Local Champion:
Wind River Family and Community Health Care
Date funded:
April 30, 2025
Grant Amount:
$3,573
Environment / Libby A Walking Path Makes a Libby Park Family Friendly
Local Champion:
Libby Parks District
Date funded:
April 29, 2025
Grant Amount:
$10,000
Environment / Cortez A Botanical Field Guide Enhances Visitor Experience at Cortez’s Canyons of the Ancients
Local Champion:
A Cortez local
Date funded:
April 25, 2025
Grant Amount:
$7,140
See All solutions

Share an Idea

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.