Everyone Belongs in the Outdoors

Through the medium of outdoor adventure travel, we inspire personal growth, enhanced awareness of the environment, and community integration. Our adventures encourage people to open themselves to new possibilities and opportunities.

Since 1978, we’ve directly served more than half a million individuals from all walks of life - diverse youth, individuals with differing abilities, and others who face barriers of use to public lands and waterways. Our programs and adventures help connect people to the outdoors and each other.

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors.

Our Mission

Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature.

Our Core Values

• Paddling Together
• Seeking the Exceptional
• Finding a Way
• Nurturing Inclusion

Community Agreements as We Adventure Together

To facilitate a safe and inclusive environment where we can all come together as our true selves, feel supported, and enjoy the outdoors in community, we follow and enact our community agreements in alignment with Wilderness Inquiry's mission and core values.

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Our Foundational Philosophy of Inclusion

Inclusion is foundational to Wilderness Inquiry’s mission to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature. Since 1978, Wilderness Inquiry has sought to serve people from all walks of life, including individuals with disabilities, youth from racially, ethnically, and resource-diverse backgrounds, and all others who face barriers to the use and enjoyment of public lands and waters. We remain committed to providing welcoming outdoor adventures and educational programs for all people.

Wilderness Inquiry believes that people are part of all natural systems, and that every person deserves access to the physical, mental, emotional, and societal benefits derived from time spent outdoors. We aspire to be a strong partner in building more inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation communities for everyone. We acknowledge the many barriers that limit access to outdoor spaces for many individuals. We also embrace our role in breaking down the barriers that limit access to the outdoors for all.

Wilderness Inquiry is committed to being an organization where:

• Our Board of Directors and workforce are representative of the people we serve
• Our staff and Board members report feeling welcome and valued in annual culture surveys
• Our staff regularly reviews and improves program content and engagement models with partners to ensure all participants feel welcome and safe during programs and adventures