Experiential Consulting and Outdoor Promise recently started exploring how we might be able to collaborate to help Outdoor Promise formalize and update their risk management strategies and resources. In just a few short months, we made remarkable progress, which we will outline in this blog post.
Who is Outdoor Promise, and what do they do?
Founded in New York in 2013 by Executive Director Ronald Zorrilla, Outdoor Promise’s mission is to “inspire underserved youth and families to appreciate the natural world, foster environmental justice, and cultivate their outdoor leadership skills for safe and enjoyable adventures. We are dedicated to increasing access to outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and equitable opportunities for all, regardless of socioeconomic background. Recognizing that people are more likely to protect the nature they have experienced firsthand, we aim to bridge the gap between underserved communities and the great outdoors. Outdoor Promise provides transformational outdoor experiences, comprehensive outdoor education programs, and inclusive environmental stewardship initiatives, empowering participants to become informed advocates for the natural world and champions for environmental justice.”
Outdoor Promise serves around 350 youth and families each year, offering activities like hiking, paddling, camping, and service projects—experiences that bring communities closer to nature. Ronald Zorrilla founded Outdoor Promise because he saw a need for equitable access to the outdoors for underserved communities. Growing up with limited access to natural spaces, Ronald knew firsthand how transformative these experiences could be, helping to build environmental awareness, resilience, and personal growth. He envisioned an organization that would bridge the gap for youth and families who might not otherwise have the chance to explore the outdoors, learn essential skills, and foster a lifelong connection with the environment. Ronald aims to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards and advocates through Outdoor Promise, empowering them to protect and cherish the natural world.
What did we work on together?
Outdoor Promise was looking for support in formalizing their risk management strategies, policies, and resources they provide to leaders in the field. Although they had been operating for years with highly successful, positive outcomes, they wanted to formalize the things they were doing well while also bringing themselves into alignment with current thinking on industry norms and safety science as well, and codify all of that into a policy and procedure manual. After our initial call, it was obvious that it was going to be a fruitful partnership.
While much of what we did was capturing in writing many of the effective strategies and practices which OP already had in place, we also expanded how the staff think about certain aspects of their programs.
Some of the things that we codified in writing included policies and procedures for common activities such as hiking, paddling, camping, and service project work. New materials we developed together included articulating fundamental concepts such as “the role of risk” in OP programs, the role of the field leaders in delivering the mission, and articulating the connections between emotional safety and physical safety.
We were also able to co-create a rigorous organizational approach to youth protection, in alignment with New York State Laws including mandatory reporting of abuse.
A particularly enjoyable part of the project was introducing the OP staff to safety science concepts such as different models of incident causation, and exploring how the ways in which we understand incident causation affects what (or if) we are able to debrief and learn from the incidents themselves. Of course, this includes not only incidents but near-misses as well.
How has this project helped Outdoor Promise in delivering their mission and evolving their operations?
According to Outdoor Promise founder Ronald Zorrilla, "Partnering with Experiential Consulting has been a game-changer for us. We’ve always taken safety seriously, but formalizing our risk management strategies and putting everything into clear policies has given our team a new level of confidence. This partnership has been about so much more than just paperwork; it’s deepened our understanding of risk management and strengthened our ability to provide safe, impactful outdoor experiences for our community. It feels great knowing we’re set up to grow in a safe and sustainable way."
What was the best part of the partnership?
Zorilla continues: "The best part of this collaboration has been the connection itself. The team at Experiential Consulting took the time to truly get to know us—our values, our vision, and what Outdoor Promise is all about. They didn’t just help us write policies; they worked with us to build a framework that captures the spirit of our mission. Together, we developed a 'Roles of a Leader' manifesto at the heart of our culture, shaping how we work together and grow as a team. Their dedication and thoughtful approach have given us practical, everyday tools that make us stronger and more prepared to serve our community meaningfully. This partnership has truly positioned us for success."
Is there a success story from the past year that exemplifies Outdoor Promises’ mission?
One of our favorite parts of our OP Community Adventure days is bringing local youth and families together for a hike. There’s something so special about being out in nature as a community, watching people leave their worries behind and enjoy the day. When generations come together, it becomes even more meaningful. The older folks often share stories of their time outdoors or memories from their home countries, passing down bits of wisdom that make everyone feel more connected. These hikes aren’t just about exploring trails; they’re about building genuine connections and a sense of belonging, especially when we all crave more unity. It’s about feeling empowered in nature, sharing unforgettable moments, and creating a stronger community. This is what Outdoor Promise is all about, and it’s incredible to see just how much these experiences mean to everyone involved.
We would like to thank the Partnership for Southern Equity and the Justice40 Initiative for providing the funds to make this collaboration possible and Pachner and Associates for connecting us to begin with.
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