SOS Outreach changes young lives, building character and developing leadership through mentoring outdoors.
“SOS has taught me how to be a good person on and off the mountain using the 6 core values. And I get to do all of this with kids that are some of my best friends and a mentor who is there for me through thick and thin.”
–SOS participant, Ashley
At SOS Outreach, we inspire youth to belong everywhere. Whether it’s on the ski slopes, the trail, or at home in their community - we are committed to creating supportive spaces where everyone is welcome.
This winter, SOS Outreach is thrilled to be working with over 1,400 Colorado kids and teens across 5 communities and 7 mountain resorts.
With your support SOS can:
Grow program impacts to engage more youth across Colorado communities
Expand opportunities for young adults to access paid career opportunities in the outdoor industry through SOS' career development program
Encourage youth to develop a lifelong connection to winter sports and maintain access through our alumni network
Year 1: Learn to Ride
The SOS program begins with our 5-day introductory ski or snowboard experience and our core values of courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion, and humility.
Participants: Youth from grades 4-12 that are new to skiing/snowboarding (less than 10 days of experience)
Includes: 5-days of lift tickets, professional ski/snowboard instructors, all necessary snowboarding/skiing equipment, and all snowsports clothing (snow pants, jacket, goggles, gloves, and helmet), core-value curriculum.
Our Cost: $675 per youth.
Year 2-6: Mentor Program
In this phase, our participants are matched up in groups of 3-5 with an adult mentor and peer mentor. Each year of the program includes five days of snowboarding/skiing and an increasing commitment to the community through leadership and life skills development workshops, service learning projects, and deeper understanding and practice of the SOS core values (courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion, and humility).
Participants: Youth from grades 5-12 who graduated from the Learn to Ride Program.
Includes: 5 on-hill ride days with mentor, season pass to local ski resort, core-value based leadership development training and workshops, and service learning through community projects with mentor group.
Cost to SOS: $2,000 per youth.
Year 7-9: Junior Mentor Program
After graduating from the Mentor Program, SOS Alumni have the opportunity to give back to their younger peers as a Junior Mentor and role model. Junior mentors are paired with youth in the early years of the mentor program, showing them the ropes during the ride days and other off-hill workshops and activities. These youth pass on the knowledge and joy they experienced to the next generation of SOS participants. From here, classmates and families begin to emulate their success, ultimately lifting everyone in their sphere of influence.
Participants: Mentor Program Graduates
Includes: Core-value based leadership development and life skills training, Assignment to mentor group of younger participants, 5 on-hill ride days, Season pass to local ski resort, Service learning through community projects with mentor group.
Cost to SOS: $2,000 per youth.
Career Development Program
Paid apprenticeship opportunities in the outdoor industry. Continuing with SOS’ method of first teaching skills and then providing the opportunity to practice those skills, this program takes the practice off the mountain and into the workplace. The initial phase is a two-week intensive that includes resume building, interview practice, guest speakers, site visits, technology demos, inclusivity workshops and more. Following that, teens receive a dedicated mentor/supervisor to begin their apprenticeship with industry partners. Teens are compensated for their participation and receive continued support throughout the job placement by means of weekly check-ins, feedback, and a post-program debrief from SOS and their workplace manager.
Participants: SOS participants ages 15+.
Cost to SOS: $2,500 per youth.
Mission
SOS Outreach (SOS) is a youth development nonprofit that changes young lives, building character and leadership through mentoring outdoors.
Background Statement
SOS Outreach was founded at Vail Mountain in 1993 when we introduced 15 kids from Denver to snowboarding. Originally named Snowboard Outreach Society, our mission was to bring awareness to the new sport while also giving back to the community. Now, as SOS Outreach, we do so much more than just skiing and riding and, despite having “SOS” in our name, we are not here to “save” anyone. We are using outdoor-based mentorship to teach life skills to kids and teenagers, unearthing their future impact on our world. Engaging over 3,000 young people annually across 15 locations in 10 communities, we offer year-round programs that combine outdoor exploration, positive adult mentorship, skill development, and community service. These life-changing experiences inspire young individuals to foster belonging, overcome challenges, enhance mental well-being, and become strong leaders.