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 / Libby A Dog Waste Station Keeps Libby’s Jerry Dean Park Clean
Local Champion:
Libby K-12 Schools
Date funded:
June 6, 2025
Grant Amount:
$300
Environment / Monte Vista Gas Detection Equipment Improves Emergency Response in Monte Vista
Local Champion:
Monte Vista Fire Protection District
Date funded:
May 20, 2025
Grant Amount:
$7,300
Environment / Weiser Shade Trees Transform Weiser’s City Park into a Haven for Families
Local Champion:
City of Weiser
Date funded:
May 15, 2025
Grant Amount:
$3,995
Environment / Taos Shade Tents Protect Taos’ Special Olympics Athletes
Local Champion:
Special Olympics New Mexico, Inc
Date funded:
May 13, 2025
Grant Amount:
$1,200
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
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.