Empowering Youth Through Adventure: The Impact of SOS Outreach
Picture yourself at the top of a snowy mountain, breathing in the fresh alpine air and feeling that rush of excitement as you get ready to make your way down. For many young adventurers, this isn’t just a moment of adventure—it’s a life-changing experience. This is a moment where confidence is built, resilience is found, and a deep connection to the outdoors is formed. That’s the heart of SOS Outreach, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through outdoor adventure and mentorship.
At Seirus, we believe the outdoors can inspire and help people grow, which is why our partnership with SOS Outreach hits so close to home. For years, we’ve proudly partnered with this organization to help break down barriers and create transformative experiences and opportunities for the next generation. Through collaboration, advocacy, and a shared commitment to inclusivity, our partnership ensures more kids can experience the joy of outdoor adventures and opportunities that will help shape their future. Because at the end of the day, this partnership isn’t just about snowsports and gear—it’s about paying it forward to help create opportunities and make sure the next generation of adventurers know the outdoors is a place where they belong.
The Mission of SOS Outreach
For over 30 years, SOS Outreach has shown the outdoors is more than just a playground—it’s a classroom, a mentor, and a gateway to self-discovery. What started as a small learn-to-snowboard program has grown into a nationwide movement. They create outdoor mentorship programs to help youth who face challenges develop the confidence and life skills they need to thrive.
At its core, SOS Outreach is about breaking barriers—not just physical ones, like getting kids onto the slopes, but the deeper blocks that fester due to limited access, opportunity, and support. Through multi-year mentorship programs, leadership workshops, career development opportunities, and hands-on outdoor experiences, SOS Outreach meets kids where they are and helps them grow into strong, capable, and empowered individuals.
Each season, kids strap into a snowboard or step into skis—many for the first time. But what they take away goes far beyond technical skills. They learn resilience when they fall and get back up, gain confidence as they master something new, and form deep connections as they bond with mentors and peers. The outdoors become places of transformation, showing them what’s possible when they step outside their comfort zones.
At SOS Outreach, adventure is just the beginning. The real mission? Empowering youth to believe in themselves, dream bigger, and carry those lessons into every aspect of their lives.
Multi-Year Progressive Programming: Building Confidence, Leadership, and Community
At SOS Outreach, adventure isn’t just a one-time experience—it’s the start of a journey. Through a structured, multi-year approach, SOS Outreach ensures that every participant has the opportunity to grow, challenge themselves, and develop essential life skills that extend far beyond the slopes.
Step 1: The First Ride – Building Courage and Perseverance
It all begins with an introduction to skiing and snowboarding, where kids experience the thrill of the mountains while learning core values like courage,, discipline, compassion, wisdom, humility and integrity.. For many, it’s their first time navigating the snow, but with the support of mentors and peers, they quickly discover that falling and getting back up is part of the adventure—both on the mountain and in life.
Step 2: Five Years of Mentorship – Growing On and Off the Mountain
As participants continue, they enter a five-year mentorship program, which blends continued on-mountain progression with community service and life skill development. This stage is designed to foster personal growth, leadership, and community connection. Throughout this journey, they learn the value of goal-setting, accountability, and giving back, all while improving their outdoor skills. The support of dedicated volunteer mentors helps guide them through challenges, building the resilience and confidence to take on whatever comes next.
Step 3: Junior Mentors – Giving Back and Leading the Way
As they gain experience, senior participants have the opportunity to step into leadership roles as Junior Mentors, passing down what they’ve learned to the next generation. This peer-to-peer mentorship not only strengthens the SOS Outreach community but also teaches responsibility, empathy, and the power of paying it forward.
Step 4: Career Development – Opening Doors to the Future
Beyond the outdoors, SOS Outreach helps participants explore professional paths through its Career Development Program. Through this program, they engage in paid apprenticeships with industry partners such as evo, Oberalp, US Ski & Snowboard Team, Vail Resorts, and more. By connecting youth with industry leaders, outdoor brands, and career training opportunities, SOS Outreach ensures they’re set up for success—whether they pursue a future in the outdoor industry or beyond. Hands-on experiences, internships, and networking open doors that these kids may not have imagined possible.
Step 5: Alumni Program – A Lifelong Community
The journey doesn’t end when participants graduate from the program. The SOS Alumni Program keeps former participants connected, offering career support, mentorship opportunities, and a strong community that lasts well beyond their years in the program. They return as mentors, industry professionals, or simply as advocates for access to the outdoors, and continue to play a role in shaping the next generation of adventurers. In the 2024/25 season alone, 95 SOS alumni engaged in the program as volunteers, mentors, staff, or board members.
Through this progressive, long-term approach, SOS Outreach ensures that every participant not only gains outdoor skills but also builds the confidence, leadership, and support system they need to thrive in whatever path they choose.
Seirus’ Partnership with SOS Outreach
At Seirus, we believe the outdoors should be a place where everyone feels welcome and empowered. That’s why our partnership with SOS Outreach is more than just a collaboration—it’s a shared mission to create opportunities for adventurers.
Since 2003, Seirus has supported SOS Outreach through gear donations, ensuring that program participants have the warmth and protection they need to embrace the cold with comfort and confidence. From insulated gloves to breathable face protection, we know the right gear makes all the difference in helping adventurers stay comfortable and confident on the mountain. But our commitment goes well beyond gear - we collaborate with SOS Outreach to support them in amplifying their mission through collaboration, thought leadership, and awareness.
By combining our passion for innovation with SOS Outreach’s dedication to mentorship and leadership development, we’re helping to create a more inclusive outdoor community – one where every young person, no matter their background, has the opportunity to explore, grow, and thrive. Through our ongoing support, collaboration, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of adventure, Seirus is proud to stand alongside SOS Outreach in building a future where the outdoors is truly for everyone.
Wendy Carey’s Role on the SOS Outreach Board
For Wendy Carey, the outdoors isn’t just a place to explore—it’s a space for growth, connection, and opportunity. As the CFO of Seirus Innovation, Wendy has spent years championing inclusivity in the outdoor industry, ensuring that more people—especially those historically left out—have the chance to experience the transformative power of adventure.
Her passion extends beyond Seirus and into her role as a board member of SOS Outreach. By working closely with the organization, Wendy helps guide its mission, bringing her expertise and commitment to expanding access to the outdoors. Her leadership strengthens the partnership between Seirus and SOS, ensuring that more youth receive the mentorship, resources, and gear they need to step confidently into outdoor spaces.
"What’s better than witnessing a young person, especially from a background with little or no voice, realize they have the power and responsibility to shape and care for their community and their world? That’s what being a part of SOS is gifting me. The explosion of growth that comes from realizing not only are you cared about (through mentorship) but that how you show up matters. SOS’s intelligent multi-year programs are proven to result in young leaders of character, caring and resilience. I am incredibly lucky to be a small part of SOS."
- Wendy Carey
Through her work with the board, Wendy plays a key role in advocating for long-term growth, securing essential support, and fostering meaningful collaborations that help SOS Outreach impact even more young adventurers. Her presence is a testament to Seirus’ deep-rooted belief that the outdoors should be a welcoming place for all—and that when companies and organizations come together with a shared vision, real change happens.
Impact of the Partnership
Through ongoing support and collaboration, Seirus has helped SOS Outreach expand its reach, ensuring that more youth have access to the life-changing experiences the outdoors provides.
One of the most tangible ways Seirus has supported SOS Outreach is through gear donations—essential cold-weather accessories that allow participants to fully immerse themselves in skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities without the worry of being unprepared for the elements. For many kids, this gear is the difference between sitting on the sidelines and stepping onto the mountain with confidence.
The impact of this programming is best told through the voices of the participants and members of their family:
“I can say that SOS pushed me to pursue all of these opportunities…” says Mitzi, “I genuinely believe that SOS successfully sets up students for the future- whether that’s going to college, going to a vocational school, or going into the ski industry. From the community service days and the industry days, participants are able to build all these different life skills that they may not have had the opportunity to get if it weren’t for programs like SOS.”
-Mitzi Ayala, Tahoe Alum, Grad Student at UC Humboldt for Social Work
“Growing up in the Hispanic community, my mom worked in the hotel industry and my dad in property management, and though they were loosely involved in the ski industry they never truly got to participate. Prior to SOS, I thought skiing and snowboarding was something that people like me didn’t do, but SOS made me feel like anybody can do this,” says Martinez, “…it was eye-opening.”
-Maria Martinez, Eagle County Alum, Former SOS employee, has a son who is participating in SOS this season
As this partnership continues, Seirus and SOS Outreach remain committed to empowering the next generation, proving that when we work together, the outdoors truly becomes a space for everyone.
Encouraging Action: How Readers Can Get Involved
The work of SOS Outreach is only possible because of a dedicated community that believes in the power of the outdoors to change lives. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a mentor, or someone who simply believes in creating opportunities for all, there are many ways to help expand SOS Outreach’s reach and make a direct impact:
✅ Donate – Your support helps provide gear, transportation, and mentorship opportunities that make these programs accessible to more youth. Even a small contribution can help equip the next generation with the resources they need to thrive.
✅ Volunteer – Become a mentor, help at events, or share your skills to support SOS Outreach participants as they navigate their multi-year journey of growth and leadership.
✅ Advocate – Use your voice to champion equity in outdoor spaces. From encouraging diversity in outdoor recreation to supporting policies that improve access to nature, your advocacy helps create a more welcoming environment for all.
Join Seirus and SOS Outreach in this mission—because when we come together, we don’t just change individual lives; we create a ripple effect that builds stronger, more resilient outdoor communities for generations to come. Visit SOS Outreach to learn more and get involved today!
Investing in the Next Generation Through Continued Community Collaboration
SOS Outreach is more than just an outdoor program—it’s a movement that transforms lives through adventure, mentorship, and opportunity. By providing youth with the experiences and tools to succeed, SOS Outreach is shaping a future where the outdoors is truly for everyone.
At Seirus, we’re honored to be a part of this journey. Through continued collaboration, we remain committed to supporting this incredible organization and expanding its impact.
But the work doesn’t stop here. The next generation of adventurers, leaders, and changemakers needs all of us—our support, our advocacy, and our belief in their potential. Together, we can continue to open doors, create opportunities, and ensure that every young person has the chance to experience the confidence, resilience, and joy that outdoor adventure brings.
Ready to be part of the movement? Get involved with SOS Outreach today and help shape a brighter, more inclusive future in the outdoors!
