If you are interested in any of the following 6 programs, please fill out our individual application form or organization application form.

While we are prepared to offer in the future: 1) min-workshops (3-5 hours long), 2) day trainings (6-10 hours long), and 3) weekend outings (2-3 days), currently, we are only offering mini-workshops  and day trainings.

Note, we do not take out less than 4 and no more than 12 participants. In each training there is at least 2 instructors. 

Click here for - Gear and Equipment You Need for Weekend Outing

Click here for - Medical Release Form

Click here for - Liability Release Form

OE has developed curricula for 6 programs (see below) with different focus areas: 1) empowerment, 2) conflict transformation, 3) nonviolence, 4) leadership, 5) problem-solving, and 6) wilderness. Outdoor Empowerment believes in a holistic educational approach, which is represented in our six programs. 

 We provide all the basic camping gear, technical equipment, and workshop supplies for our participants to use during our outings and workshops. What makes Outdoor Empowerment so unique is that we offer all of our programs absolutely FREE OF CHARGE to participants!

1. Empowerment

The Empowerment Program provides the essential workshops and skills necessary for strengthening group dynamics and sharing knowledge. Empowerment is based on uplifting the talents and knowledge of all members in the group to a respectful and equal level. This program will encourage participants to become dependent on one another in order to achieve goals set during the weekend. This program is suggested to groups that have not worked on projects prior and those that have difficulty in delegating different tasks to members of an existing group.


 

2. Conflict Transformation

Based out of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) and Help Increase the Peace Project (HIPP) from AFSC model, which started in Greenhaven prison, in New York in 1971 by prisoners and Quakers, this program is directed to people wanting to develop skills needed to handle conflict in a more constructive and empowering manner. Unlike conflict management, which merely strives to control conflict, or conflict resolution, which strives to establish an agreement, conflict transformation transcends goals, interests, and intention in hopes to create a new ending and beginning for all involved in the conflict.

3. Nonviolence

This program is directed to street-line peacemakers and nonviolent activists wanting to expand their repertoire of skills for positive social change. Participants will learn a wide range of tactics that can be used in the struggle for social justice.  This program will be provided by highly experienced and knowledgeable people with a vast amount of activist and peacemaking experience.  While we would like to provide such skills for free, we believe that activists should take their education seriously and provide an economic investment and interest in it.

4. Leadership

Unlike empowerment, which stresses group dynamics and interdependence, the leadership program focuses on individual roles and responsibilities.  Participants will all be charged with leadership roles in some aspect of the trip.  This program is suggested for groups and individuals who already possess well-rounded bases of knowledge and want to develop the people skills necessary to successfully lead their own groups.

5. Wilderness

It is incredibly easy to spot areas where humans have been. Their wake of destruction is quite plain to see.  But this need not be the case.  Leaving as small a footprint as possible is the name of the game in this program.  Participants will learn techniques such as building shelters, mapping, compass skills, first aid, and making fires.  It is our hope that by the end of the trip, all will have developed an admiration and respect for the environment that goes beyond the simple “how to" and the “why” of low-impact techniques.

 

6. Problem-Solving

With all well-rounded educational organizations and institutions, there exists a program that provides education on the process of solving simple and complex problems, from daily chores to negotiating one's responsibilities at work. Unlike conflict transformation, which is among people and/or groups, problem-solving is based one individual's relationship to a situation and/or process. Therefore, in this program we stress being creative and using one's emotions and intelligence in order to have a positive outcome. What better place to be creative and take on personal challenges than the outdoors, with natural obstacles from cooking a meal to climbing a mountain?