Making “I tried” possible all year long

This year wasn’t just a good year, it was truly one for the books.

Twelve months of adventuring with city teens meant twelve months of courage, friendship, and trying something new, the Adventure Crew version of the “12 Days of Christmas,” only our list is full of river currents, trail dust, climbing ropes, and laughter that carries across open water.

For many teens, 2025 was a year of firsts -- the first time paddling on the Little Miami, camping far from city lights, or heading out onto a wooded trail unsure of what would happen next. For others, it was the year their confidence took root, moving into our growing upper-level programs where our young adventurers advanced their skills, cheered on their friends, and began to see the outdoors as a place they belong.

When we asked Crew teens what mattered most, one student wrote simply: “That I tried.” Not that they were perfect, or fearless, or experts, but that they showed up, stepped in, and discovered what they were capable of.

And thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the first $12,000 raised in our end-of-year One for the Books campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $12,000, doubling the impact for teens ready to try something new in 2026. Donations from individuals like you make up 30% of our funding -- your support is critical to expanding the number of transformative outdoor experiences we can offer.

Thank you for making this a year worth remembering -- and for helping write the next chapter for 1,000 young people in 2026!

Wishing you the best of the season,

Libby