What is the AORE Inclusive Summit?

We are excited to partner with DEI Outdoors to provide tools for you to make change as leaders in the industry.

WHAT IT IS:  

AORE has hosted our Inclusive Summit every year since 2021 to provide attendees with a wider recognition of exclusionary practices within outdoor recreation and education and to help them gain better understanding of how they can actively work to make change as leaders in the industry. In partnership with DEI Outdoors, we have worked to create a positive and unique experience for outdoor facilitators who not only currently hold positions of influence, but those that aspire to as well. And to those that are ready to do the work within themselves and in the programs they lead. 

Based on attendee and member feedback the Inclusive Summit has has transformed from a three day summit to a more accessible summit. Our new format focuses on allowing our attendees time to do asynchronous pre-work with three pre-recorded mini-workshops and a toolkit in preparation for the live workshop day.

WHEN IS THE SUMMIT? 

AORE's Inclusive Summit is held every year in April. Our fifth Inclusive Summit was held in April 2024. Be on the lookout for our next Inclusive Summit in early 2025. You can still access recordings from our 2024 Inclusive Summit here.  

WHO IS THE SUMMIT FOR?

People who facilitate outdoor recreation and education programs.  If you guide, train or encourage people to get outdoors, this Summit is designed for YOU!

WHERE IT WILL BE:  

Online! You will have time to work through three on demand videos with a workbook before our live sessions, which will be offered through Zoom.  We strongly recommend that attendees treat this professional development opportunity like they are participating at an in-person event by prioritizing the time for participation and by reducing distractions.

Example Schedule 

Two Weeks Prior to the Live Workshops:

On demand sessions and workbook delivered to your inbox. Be sure to check your emails. If you sign up within two week of the live workshops your content will be delivered with completed registration.

Live Workshop Day 

Purchase the 2024 Recordings

Did you miss our 2024 Inclusive Summit? Don't worry, you can still be a leader in the industry, working to make outdoor spaces more inclusive for all!

What You'll Get:

Workbook/Toolkit
This workbook is more of a toolkit, built around the Inclusive Summit content but ready for you to create a personalized roadmap to turn your thoughts into tangible actions and key takeaways. 

Access to three (3) mini-workshops:

• Transcending Barriers: Navigating Outdoor Spaces, Led by Justin Adkins (he/him)
• Identity-Inclusive Practices in the Outdoors, Kenjah O'Donnell (they/them)
• Let's talk about Burnout - Understanding mental well-being in the workplace, Jordan Marino (they/them)

Recording from our two workshops:

• Stages of Belonging in Outdoor Organizations, led by Rachel Hailey
• Strategic Planning for Outdoor Belonging, led by Rachel Hailey

Recording of our closing panel:

AORE Executive Director Jeannette Stawski chatted with industry leaders as they share their experiences, impact and lessons learned, of implementing inclusive practices within their programs and organizations.

Price: 

$75 for AORE members, $125 for not yet members

Purchase the 2024 Summit

Meet the 2024 Speakers

Rachel Hailey

Transformationalist, DEI Outdoors

Rachel is committed to creating an industry where anyone can experience, thrive, and lead the outdoors no matter their circumstances, and focuses on underserved and underrepresented communities. She has served and inspired over 100 organizations in the creation of actionable systems aligned with creating diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor spaces. Outside of her endeavor to bridge the gap between racial and ethnic diversity in the outdoors and social justice, Rachel can be found ice-climbing in New Hampshire and hunting magical creatures in the woods with her daughter and German Shepherd.

Justin Adkins (he/him)

Justin Adkins is a trans-man committed to inclusion for all in all spaces. justin’s masters degree is in management of mission driven orgaizations with a focus on non-profit management. He worked in higher education for 14 years as a diversity, equity and inclusion professional and most recently as Associate VP for Student Affairs at The College of Wooster. Currently, justin and his partner run Wild Soul River, an abolitionist healing space.

Kenjah O'Donnell (they/them)

Kenjah O’Donnell (they/them) , pronounced Ken-yah, is a justice loving person, a community builder, an outdoor educator, and an advocate for collective liberation of people and nature. A trans non-binary multi-racial person of neurodivergent experience, their passion flows from a fierce love of people and nature. Kenjah's love for justice and people have taken many forms and evolved over time. Kenjah continues to be a student of life, centering their learning through the lenses of intersectionality, Black feminism, Indigenous wisdom, and the wisdom of our Trans BIPOC community. I dream of a world that we can all belong to. - Me (Kenjah)

Jordan Marino (they/them)

Jordan has a background in marine conservation and experience in education and animal care. Through their MA in Integrative Conservation, Jordan has researched the intersections between culture, social justice, and community dynamics within conservation. Jordan strives to use their problem-solving and analytical skills to contribute to more equitable and accessible careers in conservation. Jordan’s favorite outdoor activity is scuba diving, and their favorite animal is an Octopus. Jordan is currently based out of Central Florida, where they can often be found hanging out with their cats.

About the Panel

To wrap up our day AORE Executive Director Jeannette Stawski will speak with industry leaders as they share their experiences, impact and lessons learned, of implementing inclusive practices within their programs and organizations. Panelists include: 

• Elyse Rylander, Outward Bound
• Sherman Neal II, Sierra Club
• Chris Anderson, REI Experiences

Once the panel is over we will open the floor to attendees to ask questions and connect with others.

Meet the Panelists

Elyse Rylander, Outward Bound

Elyse has spent her career wearing many hats in the Outdoor Recreation Economy. She is guided by her dedication to creating full and dignified experiences for all individuals and care for our external and internal landscapes. She never tires of sunsets over mountains reflected on the water.

Sherman Neal II (he/him), Sierra Club

Sherman is a justice advocate focused on developing ethical, equitable, and innovative grassroots campaigns that result in more resilient communities. Sherman is an attorney and decorated Marine Corps Officer. Sherman currently serves as Deputy Campaign Director for Military Outdoors at the Sierra Club. He also founded Rising Tide Sports, a sports consultancy focusing on college athlete empowerment. As a devoted father and dedicated volunteer, he's committed to creating a better future for his children and the community. He currently resides in suburban Atlanta, Georgia.

Chris Anderson, REI Experiences

Chris' career in the outdoor industry began as a guide and now serves to further guiding and instructing as a profession. For almost 25 years he has worked in a variety of roles and sectors within the industry. Chris has experienced teaching primitive living skills to kids in the Pacific Northwest to guiding private climbing trips in the Desert Southwest, to leading high-dollar multi-sport glamping programs in the West's most popular national parks. All have instilled in him a love for bringing people outdoors and a passion for the guiding profession. In his current role with REI Experiences, Chris has the privilege of helping to shape the entire employee journey from recruiting to exit and hopefully influencing the industry in the process.