Outdoor education is finding a new home in New York City, thanks to the efforts of the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) and support from the Dallas Safari Club Northeast Chapter. In a groundbreaking initiative, over 60 teachers from more than 50 schools in Brooklyn and Queens participated in specialized training to bring outdoor skills and conservation lessons to urban classrooms.
Held on May 13-14, the training sessions were led by OTF’s Director of Education, Scot McClure, and Outdoor Adventures Coordinator, Tari Garner. The program focused on equipping educators with hands-on skills, including compass navigation, fishing techniques, knot tying, and critical survival strategies. Teachers also learned how to introduce students to hiking, camping, and wildlife conservation, fostering a deeper connection to nature in the heart of the city.
OTF’s flagship Outdoor Adventures (OA) curriculum has already been implemented in 38 schools across Brooklyn and Queens, with plans to expand into Manhattan. Originally launched in Texas in 2010, the program has steadily grown nationwide, boasting a 95% retention rate. Its expansion into NYC marks a significant milestone, with strong support from organizations like the Dallas Safari Club Foundation.
The curriculum features an engaging, 40-unit program that integrates math, science, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students learn lifelong outdoor skills such as archery, hunter and angler education, survival skills, outdoor cooking, rock climbing, and CPR/first aid. These lessons not only inspire future outdoor enthusiasts but also prepare students for careers in the outdoor industry.
“Training NYC teachers was one of the most engaging experiences we’ve had,” said Tari Garner, OTF’s Outdoor Adventures Coordinator. “The teachers were eager to learn and excited to bring these skills into their classrooms. Outdoor Adventures is going to be a game-changer for NYC’s physical education programs.”
Anthony Carrano, District 20 Physical Education Instructional Lead for the NYC Department of Education, added, “Working with Outdoors Tomorrow has been a privilege. Their support has been instrumental in tailoring outdoor education to meet the needs of our teachers and students in the city.”
The Outdoor Adventures program currently reaches over 160,000 students annually, creating future hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. In Texas alone, 19,000 students earned their hunter education certificates last year through the program. With its recent expansion to NYC, OTF is poised to make an even greater impact on the next generation of outdoor leaders.
The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in the Dallas, Texas area, dedicated to bringing outdoor education to K-12 classrooms. Its Outdoor Adventures curriculum is now taught in more than 1,500 schools across all 50 states and Canada, providing over 27 million classroom hours of outdoor education since its inception.
For more information on the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation and its initiatives, visit [OTF Website].