Looking ahead: What's taking shape in 2026
The turning of a new year always sparks reflection as the next chapter starts to come into focus. As we look ahead to 2026, what’s emerging is an expansive year shaped by youth leadership, deeper partnerships and new pathways into the outdoors for teens across our city. Here are some of the highlights:
Youth research leads to action. One of the most exciting milestones just ahead is the evolution of our Youth Research Team into a Youth Leadership Team, with a name soon to be chosen by the teens themselves. This group of teen leaders from across all our programs will become a standing entity to ensure that the voices, experiences, interests and dreams of the young people at the heart of our mission are also the people driving it forward.
After seven months of youth-led research in 2025 thanks to our partnership with University of Cincinnati’s Action Research Center, 20-25 Crew teens will soon step into leadership roles as part of this new team. With great thanks to transformative support from Interact for Health’s Youth Organizing grant in 2026, and past support from Millstone Fund, Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the City’s Seeds of Change grant program, our staff will continue building their skills as “adult allies” to support our young leaders, while youth design and lead peer research.
This work will directly shape programmatic priorities in our next strategic plan and guide the evolution of experiential features and programs at our new home on a 10-acre campus along West McMicken Avenue, thanks to our partners at Cardinal Land Conservancy, lead steward and future owner of this emerging community conservation hub.
New spaces to make real change by getting their hands in the dirt. This year, we’ll be growing our Pathfinder program to deepen hands-on conservation learning through new and expanded community partnerships. In 2026, teens will engage in habitat restoration and ecological learning with the Cincinnati Zoo’s Bowyer Farm, as well as with Cardinal Land Conservancy, Civic Garden Center and Queen City Pollinator Project at our new campus. We are working with Berea College on connecting Crew teens to continued education after high school, along with continuing to build a strong connection to the University of Cincinnati with our first collaborative programs with UC Sustainability. These experiences connect recreation, stewardship and environmental careers in ways that are tangible, accessible and youth-driven.
Mentorship that reaches new heights. For those who joined us at Summits & Horizons in fall 2024, you may remember keynote speaker Philip Henderson, executive director of Full Circle Expeditions, leader of the first all-Black expedition up Mount Everest and a lifelong outdoor educator. After two years of conversation and dreaming big about collaborations to benefit our teens, we’re thrilled to be launching a virtual mentoring program with Philip and our adventurers, supporting those interested in pushing their skills to new heights, both literally and professionally, in outdoor education and remote wilderness experiences.
Cycling as skill, community and connection. Cycling will also see meaningful growth this year. We’re expanding Discoverer-level biking with the addition of a new road cycling club, building on our workshop model and extending opportunities into more sustained, season-to-season engagement. This will be supported by a new bike repair station at our West McMicken warehouse, led by Outdoor Specialist Leif Anderson, with support from Outdoor Specialist Ralph Berry—a member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club and certified cycling instructor —who brings deep expertise and community connection to all of our cycling programs. We will also be partnering with Cincinnati Parks and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation to support youth and women’s mountain biking through their Parks + Rec for Wellness initiative at Mount Airy Forest.
Blazing trails westward. Thanks to the incredible generosity shown at Summits & Horizons last October, we’re also celebrating a major milestone for the Trailblazer program for wilderness experiences and backcountry skill-building: Our first-ever Rocky Mountains expedition in summer 2026. Trailblazer teens will spend a week in the Rockies, including several days backpacking, camping and climbing 14,000-foot peaks. This exciting adventure will be supported by a new lineup of excursion prep sessions and campouts to ensure safety, confidence and readiness for this transformational experience.
Greater climbing access through legacy. We have been honored to steward the new Cole Kennedy Memorial Climbing Fund in partnership with the Kennedy family, launched in late 2025. In the year ahead, this fund will allow us to expand indoor climbing opportunities, integrate more outdoor climbing into our program, and introduce our first-ever scholarships for Crew teens to join Climb Time Oakley’s foundations team — opening doors to skill-building, leadership and a supportive community of mentors and peers.
Looking down the road, together. This year will be defined by young people leading with curiosity and courage while shaping their own paths and discovering — and creating — belonging in outdoor spaces for themselves, their peers, and their communities. We are deeply grateful to each of you for being part of the Adventure Crew community and helping make the road ahead possible. Thank you!
Libby