We've come up with some great suggestions on outdoor recreation options for adults!
Parents often tell us they wish that they could participate in an Avid4 Adventure camp. While we don’t offer camps for adults (yet!), there are some great organizations that are helping adults stay active in the California and Colorado communities we serve. Outdoor recreation for adults are plentiful but finding the right options for outdoor recreation can seem daunting, which is why we're here to help!
Some cover the exciting adventure sports we teach; others offer more general recreation opportunities. Here are some local recreation options specifically for grown-ups:
Outdoor Adventure Club: From introductory trips for first-timers to more challenging excursions, San Francisco’s Outdoor Adventure Club makes it easy for anyone to try an adventure on for size. With professional guides leading trips in rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and backcountry skiing, this is a great place to start earning serious outdoor skills. Trips run from Marin, Point Reyes and Sonoma in the north, to Easy Bay’s hills, trails and rock faces, to the stunning Pacific coastline.
Fit4Mom: Offering outdoor and indoor fitness classes and a supportive community for pregnant women and moms, Fit4Mom hosts four class types: Fit4Baby, a program designed to keep your body strong during all stages of pregnancy; Stroller Strides, a full-body workout focusing on the joy of both mom and child; Stroller Barre, a blend of ballet, Pilates, barre, yoga and stroller-based exercises to build strength and muscle tone and improve posture; and Body Back, a results-based workout that combines fitness, nutrition and mindfulness. Fit4Mom gets women outside though offering many classes at local parks. Bay Area locations include Santa Cruz, Menlo Park and Mill Valley. The first class is free!
Latino Outdoors: Founded in the Bay Area, Latino Outdoors now has a national reach. The organization’s mission is to “Connect familias and youth with nature, engage and inspire Latino leadership, empower communities to explore and share their stories in defining the Latino Outdoors identity.” Check out the Latino Outdoors Facebook page for upcoming outdoor activities, including hikes, snowshoeing and more. All are welcome regardless of race, language and ethnicity.
Outdoor Afro: Also a Bay Area organization that has grown to a national presence, Outdoor Afro assists adults with finding meet-up groups in various locations based on outdoor activities. The group is dedicated to creating a national network that “celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature.” Check the Outdoor Afro Meetup pageto connect with others and learn about interesting events near you.
OUT There Adventures: With programming mostly for young adults age 18-24, OTA is a leader in the field of outdoor adventures for the LGBTQ community. Young adults can find the right fit in OUTdoor School, which focuses on technical wilderness and leadership skills; youth sea kayaking and backpacking expeditions; or day trips, featuring a variety of outdoor adventures like rock climbing and surfing. The non-profit’s ultimate goal? Simple: “Empower queer young people through their connection with the natural world.”
National Outdoor Leadership School: People think that NOLS is for younger folks, but the storied outdoor education center also has great adult courses in Colorado, California and beyond. Sign up for kayaking, rafting, backpacking, backcountry touring, wilderness medical certifications and more. Known for its depth of programming, NOLS is focused on teaching leadership in a variety of contexts, whether you want to learn survival skills for the great outdoors … or corporate America.
Colorado Mountain School: Specializing in climbing, skiing and mountaineering, Colorado Mountain School provides world-class instruction in courses ranging from one-day sessions, such as Intro Rock Climbing and Big Wall Clinic, to multi-day courses, such as AIARE Level 1 and a Rock Climbing Development Series. Colorado Mountain School also guides rock, ice and mountaineering throughout Colorado’s Front Range and internationally.
Apex Ex: This adventure guide service connects adults interested in learning outdoor skills with a variety of confidence-building outdoor trips. Professionals are on hand to show guests the ropes in everything from hiking and rock climbing to winter challenges like ski touring, snowshoeing and ice climbing.
Vela Adventures: How about an adventure outing just for women? Adults who are looking for a supportive, all-female environment will appreciate the special programming Vela Adventures puts together. Outings range from biking and stand up paddle boarding to ice climbing and skiing. Check the Vela calendar for a list of upcoming adventures, or book your own private party with all your outdoorsy girlfriends.
Fit4Mom: Offering outdoor and indoor fitness classes and a supportive community for pregnant women and moms, Fit4Mom hosts four class types: Fit4Baby, a program designed to keep your body strong during all stages of pregnancy; Stroller Strides, a full-body workout focusing on the joy of both mom and child; Stroller Barre, a blend of ballet, Pilates, barre, yoga and stroller-based exercises to build strength and muscle tone and improve posture; and Body Back, a results-based workout that combines fitness, nutrition and mindfulness. Fit4Mom gets women outside though offering many classes at local parks. Locations in: Colorado Springs. The first class is free!
Boulder Bike Tours: If you just love to ride bikes, this is your tribe. Boulder Bike Tours offers single- and multi-day rides for small and large groups along some scenic routes in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. Guides know all about local landscape, culture and natural history, and everything’s included—bikes, gear and knowledge.
There are many options for outdoor recreation out there, but finding the right ones are easier with the help! If you're wanting more than a weekend adventure, maybe you should consider a career in adventure education? Read more about the benefits of working for Avid4 Adventure.