SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2026
Dozens of local outdoor events. One national movement.
This fall, Thrive Outside communities across the country are hosting free, local outdoor events and programming for kids and families as a part of Thrive Outside Day — from surfing in San Diego to whitewater rafting in Oklahoma City to hiking in Atlanta. Thrive Outside Day is officially recognized on Saturday, October 10, with events taking place nationwide during the full activation window of September 26-October 31.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2026
Dozens of local outdoor events. One national movement.
This fall, Thrive Outside communities across the country are hosting free, local outdoor events and programming for kids and families as a part of Thrive Outside Day — from surfing in San Diego to whitewater rafting in Oklahoma City to hiking in Atlanta. Thrive Outside Day is officially recognized on Saturday, October 10, with events taking place nationwide during the full activation window of September 26-October 31.
15
25+
4,000+
1
Communities
Events
Expected Participants
Shared Love for the Outdoors
15
Communities
25+
Events
4,000+
Participants
1
Shared Love for the Outdoors
WE ALL THRIVE OUTSIDE
The Outdoor Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation empowers the next generation of outdoor participants by expanding access, strengthening community-led outdoor ecosystems, and helping every child and family build lasting connections outside. Through multi-year, capacity-building grants — backed by technical assistance, opportunities for collaboration and shared learning, and outdoor gear support — the Foundation helps local organizations deliver repeat, reinforcing outdoor experiences that grow long-term participation and build the future pipeline of outdoor enthusiasts the industry depends on.
972,000+
children, youth, and families reached through Foundation-backed programs in 2025.
THE MOVEMENT, IN PICTURES
Moments from Thrive Outside Day
Photos from past Thrive Outside Days capture the energy, diversity and momentum of the events. These local moments create a national movement that makes outdoor participation feel possible, familiar and fun – giving young people the chance to build a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.
Sept. 26 – Oct. 31
Find a Thrive Outside Day Event Near You
This fall, 15 communities are hosting dozens of Thrive Outside Day events and programs across the country. Here's a snapshot of some of the activities spanning coast-to-coast.
Atlanta, GA
Sept. 26-27 · Oct. 1 · Oct. 10
Atlanta's Thrive Outside network is going all-in this fall, with four partner organizations hosting free programming across the region. West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is hosting the WAWA Westside Campout Sept. 26-27, and overnight experience featuring tent setup, s’mores, guided hikes, African storytelling, and a live drum circle from the Eguma Drum & Dance Company. On October 1, WAWA then joins the broader Atlanta network’s Collective Celebration, hosting forest activity stations for macroinvertebrate sampling, tree identification, hiking, and nature crafts, alongside the City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation afterschool program, Metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Clubs, and Grove Park Foundation Youth. WAWA closes out the season on October 10 with its third annual Westside Chattahoochee Paddle, an 11-mile guided kayaking journey down a culturally significant stretch of the Chattahoochee River, supported by certified safety boaters and instructors from Nantahala Outdoors and Georgia Rivers.
Boulder-Denver, CO
Sept. 17 · Oct. 14 · Oct. 16 · Oct. 30
The Thorne Nature Experience, a nonprofit based in Boulder, Colo., that focuses on nature and environmental education for youth, is planning multiple Thrive Outside events this fall. The first will introduce attendees to partner Explorando Senderos and their Astrosenderos program with a stargazing celebration featuring telescopes, food, and entertainment on September 12. On October 14, Thorne and Boulder County Open Space will invite families on a spooky hike on nearby Open Space, featuring a nighttime walk, storytelling, and warm treats. There will be a trip to the University of Colorado Observatory for a planetarium show and access to its research-grade telescope on October 16. Lastly, on October 30, the community will gather for an outdoor Dia de los Muertos celebration that will include live music, traditional dance, costumes, crafts, and a nature parade on nearby trails.
Chicago, IL and the Greater Midwest
Sept. 26-27 · Oct. 3 · Oct. 11 · Oct. 17
Chicago's Thrive Outside network is hosting a full slate of programming this fall. Midwest Rock 'N Routes kicks things off September 26-27 with a weekend outdoor rock climbing and camping festival designed for historically marginalized communities, drawing on an extensive partner network that includes BIPOC Beta, Adaptive Climbing Group, Escala, Latino Outdoors, Queers on the Rocks, the Asian Climbing Collective, Climb Big Chicago, Chicago Climbs, the American Alpine Club, and Chicago Adventure Therapy. Chicago Adventure Therapy then leads three more events across the city, partnering with the Chicago Park District, Openlands, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County: a Community Paddling Day at the Beaubien Woods boat launch paired with a rock climbing day on October 3, a paddle along the African American Heritage Water Trail on October 11, and a Community Climbing Day at the Steelworkers Park Climbing Wall paired with a paddling day on October 17.
Maine
Oct. 24-25
The Nature Based Education Consortium in Maine helps all Maine youth learn about the outdoors, and connect to their community and natural environment, while removing barriers to equitable outdoor access across the state. The organization is hosting a group paddle down the Penobscot River with stewards and guides from the Penobscot Nation, a Wabanaki tribe based on Indian Island near Old Town, Maine. The event will then host an overnight camp on the island, in partnership with local nonprofits led by the Wabanaki tribe – Nibezun.
Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 3-4
Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is celebrating Thrive Outside Day with a series of community-centered outdoor experiences designed to connect young people and families with adventure close to home. Activities include the Wild Path Outdoor Festival, a two-day celebration October 3–4 at Boyce Park and Action Park featuring climbing, running, BMX, skateboarding, and other hands-on outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels. Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is also partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools to host Thrive Outside Field Days, creating opportunities for students to experience outdoor recreation, build confidence, and discover new ways to get active outside. Together, these events showcase the power of schools, community organizations, and outdoor partners working collectively to make outdoor experiences more accessible and welcoming for Pittsburgh youth and families.
Oklahoma City, OK
Sept. 25
RIVERSPORT Foundation in Oklahoma City runs one of the nation’s premier whitewater venues – RIVERSPORT OKC – with whitewater rafting and kayaking rapids, a flatwater rowing and canoe-kayak course, ziplining and biking. The organization is hosting a kayaking Thrive Outside Day on Sept. 25, a unique chance for kids and families to try whitewater sports most may not have access to otherwise.
San Diego, CA
Oct. 10
San Diego Foundation is putting youth storytelling center stage with Framing the Outdoors, a celebration of summertime youth storytelling, filmmaking, and learning outside the classroom. Presented in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and Media Arts Center San Diego, the October 10 showcase will feature short documentaries created by youth fellows who spent the summer filming with outdoor nonprofit organizations across the region. Through their films, youth will highlight the many ways young people can learn, explore, and connect with the outdoors through expanded learning opportunities. The event will include film premieres, Q&As with the youth filmmakers, and awards celebrating their work.
Seattle, WA
Oct. 21
King County Play Equity Coalition is hosting a full day of outdoor discovery on Oct. 21, with nature-based art making, a guided park walk, tent setup and takedown instruction, an Indigenous plant learning session, and a chance to connect with local outdoor programs. The coalition is engaging its nonprofit partner network along with local parks and recreation representatives.
St. Louis, MO
Oct. 10
River City Outdoors is planning its biggest Thrive Outside Day yet on Oct. 10, with a climbing wall and a large voyageur canoe experience, in partnership with Missouri state parks, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Tower Grove Park, and Upper Limits. The nonprofit works year-round to break down barriers to outdoor recreation across Greater St. Louis, convening more than 100 partner organizations to bring paddling, camping, fishing, and other outdoor programming to youth and families who might not otherwise have access. This fall's event builds on that mission by bringing the full experience to Tower Grove Park.
Washington, DC
Oct. 24
Friends of Anacostia Park is hosting a large-scale celebration on Oct. 24 featuring free roller skating and lessons, nature-based arts and crafts, boat rides and fishing on the Anacostia River, community partner stations focused on health, wellness, environmental education and family resources, and a live Go-Go karaoke band with additional cultural programming. The event is a partnership with the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative, the Anacostia Watershed Society, the National Park Service, DC's Department of Energy and the Environment, and more than a dozen other community organizations.
Join the Movement
Get Involved
There are many ways for children, families, community members, donors and companies to help make this year's celebration a success.
Participate
Find a Thrive Outside Day event near you and bring someone with you — a child, a neighbor, a friend who's curious about trying something new. It's a simple, fun way to get outside together.
Volunteer
Support your local Thrive Outside community. Volunteer with a partner organization, help with event setup, or lend your time to programs that make outdoor experiences accessible all year.
Donate
Become a funding partner of the Outdoor Foundation. Your investment strengthens community-led outdoor participation and helps grow the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and customers the industry depends on.
Share the Fun
Amplify Thrive Outside Day across your social media and digital channels. Share stories, highlight local events, and use campaign hashtags to help raise national awareness. Your voice helps elevate the movement and inspires families to get outside.
#ThriveOutside #ThriveOutsideDay2026
The Participation Challenge
Repeat outdoor participation is eroding, especially among youth — and closing that gap takes sustained, local infrastructure. Supporting the Outdoor Foundation and Thrive Outside Day is a direct investment in the pipeline of future outdoor participants and customers the industry depends on.
According to the Outdoor Foundation and Outdoor Industry Association’s 2026 Participation Trends Report, outings among youth ages 6–17 have dropped 26% since 2012, and time spent outside is being displaced by rising screen time. When trusted local organizations offer free, welcoming, close-to-home outdoor experiences for children and families, these local moments create a national movement that makes outdoor participation feel possible, exciting, and repeatable.
The broader Thrive Outside initiative delivers sustained impact throughout the year, serving more than 972,000 children, youth, and families in 2025 through community-led programs that build confidence, belonging, and repeat outdoor participation. Get involved and help us all Thrive Outside!
