Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative

The Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative (SOLI) was founded with the vision of providing after school programs that get kids outside, learning and practicing new skills, and being challenged to build the social and emotional resiliency needed to successfully navigate the teenage years. Unlike other organizations who provide outdoor experiences for youth primarily using in-house resources, SOLI programs leverage the capabilities and expertise from the myriad of existing youth serving outdoor organizations in the area. We do this by sub-contracting through these vendors while offering affordable tuition and full scholarships to increase financial accessibility for all. This increases community involvement and integration without creating another stand alone organization that duplicates the educational competence and expertise already resident in the region.  

SOLI (under the name Sundog Outdoor Expeditions at the time) was launched in September of 2017, offering a six-week long expedition-oriented after school program run during the fall, winter, and spring. The goal was to get kids outside and unplugged, challenge them in healthy ways, and guide them through self-exploration by utilizing the ever-present metaphors in nature. SOLI is now offering one week intensive programs conducted in the field and led by local professional guides along with other specialty courses. Although the length and structure of programs has changed, Sundogs core values remain the same.