Redefining Outdoorsy
Our Redefining Outdoorsy Initiative aims to make outdoor adventures accessible and inclusive for ALL. We organize several outings each term to encourage people from historically underrepresented communities to enjoy the outdoors. Thanks to our Redefining Outdoorsy funding, we can offer these outings at a very low cost, usually just $5 per participant!
We offer two types of Redefining Outdoorsy outings. The first type creates a welcoming space for individuals from historically underrepresented groups in outdoor activities, such as BIPOC climb nights at Elevation. We also collaborate with campus affinity groups to plan outings and events at a significantly reduced cost, working together to design an outdoor trip that suits their interests.
We want to collaborate with you and your group to create experiences that match your interests, whether through student-led trips or professionally guided adventures. Our programming is adaptable to various experience levels, and we prioritize accessibility whenever possible. Let's create outdoor experiences that are welcoming, empowering, and fun for everyone!
What We Offer
Today, Redefining Outdoorsy (RO) is supported in various ways, including but not limited to:
- RO Fall Summit featuring the No Man’s Land Film Festival
- Affinity group outdoor outings and events
- FTW Bike School
- Providing gear, outdoor experiences, clinics, and classes to underrepresented groups at a low cost of entry
- Check out all of our offerings.
- Contact our collaborative program coordinator at opcpc@uoregon.edu for more information.
Our Trips
Our RO outings are pre-planned trips specifically designed for affinity groups, ensuring that participants from underrepresented communities can enjoy outdoor adventures in a welcoming and inclusive space. These outings are led by OP staff and are open to anyone who identifies with that group. They are offered at a highly reduced cost—typically just $5–10 per participant!
If your group or organization would like to propose your own outing, we encourage you to use our Redefining Outdoorsy Initiative Proposal Form. This form is intended for groups that align with our RO Initiative, including BIPOC students, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, Indigenous students, and other minority groups. If you're unsure whether your group qualifies, feel free to reach out! To allow for proper planning and coordination, we ask that proposals be submitted the term before your proposed outing. Let’s work together to create an outdoor experience that meets your group's interests and needs!
What is FTW Bike School?
FTW Bike School is a six-week bike workshop where students and community members can learn about bike maintenance. The FTW (Femme, Trans, Women-Identifying) aspect of the bike school is the Outdoor Program's way of promoting gender inclusivity and providing safe spaces for all individuals to learn.
Redefining Outdoorsy Scholarship
We recognize that financial barriers can make outdoor adventures less accessible. To help reduce these obstacles, we offer our RO Scholarship, which provides funding to help cover the cost of gear rentals and sign-up fees. This funding is available for students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and other underrepreseted identities. Students can apply for support to make their outdoor experiences more affordable.
No Man’s Land Film Festival
Each year, the UO Outdoor Program hosts the No Man’s Land Film Festival as the main event of our annual Redefining Outdoorsy Summit. Join us each fall for exciting films that highlight and celebrate all identities in the outdoors. For yearly updates on this event, please check our Instagram, newsletter, or Facebook.
The History of Redefining Outdoorsy
Redefining Outdoorsy was created to challenge the existing structures of the outdoor industry by empowering and amplifying often underrepresented communities to create a more equitable and accessible outdoors.
What started as a series of Zoom presentations by nontraditional adventurers in 2020–21 expanded to the outdoors the following year. A variety of affinity trips were offered throughout 2021–22 to create safe spaces for students to learn and experience the outdoors.
The program year culminated with a winter term 2022 Redefining Outdoorsy Summit that featured keynote speakers, students, and facilitators on a variety of topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors.