What is the AORE Inclusive Summit?

The 2025 Inclusive Summit will be AORE’s sixth summit, with two (2) being held in 2021 and one each year beginning in 2022. Based on attendee and member feedback the Inclusive Summit 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 (3) optional pre-sessions and a toolkit in preparation for the live workshop day. 

The Inclusive Summit has featured speakers from DEI Outdoors, The Wilderness Society, American Trails, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Vibe Tribe Adventures, Engage Coaching & Consulting, A-DASH Collaborative, Cycle Forward, Dogsmile Adventures, Canyons River Company, Diversify Whitewater, Northeast Passage, American Hiking, Adaptive Expeditions, HighPoint Expeditions, Kenji Consults, Change Works Consulting, The Mountain Guides, Teton Adaptive, Basecamp Outdoor, Diversify Outdoors, AmericanAlpine Club, The Mountaineers, The Bridge Project, NOLS Wilderness Medicine, Desert Mountain Medicine, Climbing Wall Association, Wilderness Medicine Training Center International, Wilderness Medical Associates International, Paradox Sports, American Alpine Club, universities, and more. 

April 2025: Inclusivity in the Outdoors Month

The 2025 Summit will be held on April 24 and will wrap up our Inclusivity in the Outdoors Month. Inclusivity in the Outdoors Month with have three (3) stand alone workshops leading up to the Summit with topics including getting marginalized communities outside and the 7 principles of DEI. 

This thought-provoking series dives into the critical conversations and actionable steps needed to create more inclusive outdoor spaces. Featuring expert speakers and practical strategies, the series explores how we can break down barriers and cultivate deeper connections to nature for all communities.

• Learn the Foundations: Karel Hilversum outlines the 7 principles of DEI in the outdoors, providing a framework for meaningful inclusion.
• Explore Diverse Perspectives: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors brings together Courtney Schultz, PhD, Heather West, and Joe Stone to share insights on engaging marginalized communities in accessible outdoor experiences.
• Measure Your Impact: Gerry James of the Sierra Club offers tools and strategies for how to position outdoor access as a unifying, bipartisan issue by framing it around shared values like health, community, and economic growth.

The series culminates in our LIVE workshops during the Inclusive Summit on April 24, where attendees will dive deeper into these themes and put ideas into action. Join us as we reimagine what inclusivity in the outdoors truly means and take steps toward lasting change. Summit attendees are encouraged to attend all pre-summit sessions along with the three workshops. Attendees will receive a toolkit/workbook to help guide them through each session. 

April 3 | 1pm ET

Webinar TBA 

Presenter: Karel Hilversum

April 10 | 1pm ET

Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors [Panel]

Panelists: Heather West, Joe Stone, Courtney Schultz PhD

Discover how we can break down barriers and inspire connection to nature for communities often left out of traditional outdoor spaces. This engaging panel features Courtney Schultz PhD (Bring it Outside program), Heather West (LOOP NOLA), and Joe Stone (Dovetail Trails Consulting), who will share their experiences and insights on empowering marginalized communities, including young kids, adaptive programming, rural and urban residents, Latine, immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC families.

Explore how outdoor engagement doesn’t always mean epic hikes or far-flung adventures—sometimes, it starts with a simple visit through a neighborhood park. Join us to learn how we can redefine what it means to enjoy the outdoors and make nature accessible for all.

April 17 | 1pm ET

The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors For All

Presenter: Gerry James

This session focuses on the bipartisan strategies necessary to advance an Outdoors For All framework. It delves into how advocates can create inclusive messaging, build coalitions across political lines, and frame outdoor access as a universal value. Participants will explore how to engage diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, community leaders, and organizations, to foster collaboration and advance equitable outdoor initiatives.

2025 Inclusive Summit Workshops

April 24, 2025 | 12:00 pm ET - 1:45 pm ET

Beyond Scholarships: Comprehensive Programmatic Support Structures in Outdoor Recreation Programming

Presenter: Micah Leinbach

Many youth-serving organizations, especially camps and nonprofits, pursue a 2-part inclusion strategy: they raise funds for scholarships, and they train staff on inclusion. While these are necessary steps, they can fail to address more fundamental and structural barriers to inclusion - including the culture of the space, language and norms reinforced by programs or the dominant culture, and the application of outcomes that may not be universally shared.

This 90-minute virtual workshop will equip participants with strategies to create more inclusive and goal-oriented partnerships with diverse communities in outdoor programming. The session will begin with a historical overview of outdoor recreation, examining the ethical foundations and dominant cultural values that shape current practices. Understanding this background will help attendees recognize biases that may unintentionally permeate program structures and language.

The workshop will introduce a framework for setting partnership goals that are responsive to community needs and values. Participants will learn practical techniques for establishing and managing partnership dynamics effectively—ensuring that all partners, particularly those serving historically excluded communities, can engage meaningfully. We’ll also explore how to discuss common elements of expedition programs in culturally-humble ways that make space for different cultural perspectives and priorities.

April 24, 2025 | 2:00 pm ET - 3:45 pm ET

“Did I Stutter?” Communication Disorders and Bias in Outdoor Education

Presenter: Elliot Drake-Maurer

As outdoor and adventure educators, we help participants engage with ideas of risk, vulnerability, fear, and stress as they participate in our programs. But what if every time you opened your mouth to speak, you had to navigate these feelings? What if every speaking interaction risked the judgement of your peers, and the stigma of speaking differently than everyone else? This is the reality that people who stutter with face.

In this 90-minute workshop, participants will learn about stuttering, a complex and often misunderstood speech condition affecting about 1% of the population. We will explore what stuttering is, how it can appear, and the effects stuttering can have on people’s lives. Next, we will examine myths and stereotypes about stuttering, and identify exclusionary practices or communication barriers in outdoor education programming. Participants will leave the workshop with a clear understanding of what stuttering is as well as tools and strategies to make verbal communication more accessible to all, including those who stutter.

Materials used in this workshop will be the facilitator’s personal experience as a person who stutters working in outdoor education, current research and best practices from speech pathologists, and group discussions and examples from the workshop participants programming.

April 24, 2025 | 4:00 pm ET - 6:00 pm ET

Nature as a Healing Space: Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Practices for Inclusive Outdoor Experiences

Presenter: Elizabeth Allen

Discover how to transform outdoor spaces into environments of healing and empowerment. In this engaging 90-minute workshop, you’ll explore the profound impact of racialized and other forms of trauma on underrepresented communities and gain actionable strategies for fostering emotional and psychological safety. Tailored for outdoor leaders, educators, and facilitators, this session dives into foundational trauma-informed principles, tools to recognize trauma responses, and innovative practices that honor historical and generational trauma. Leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to create outdoor spaces where all participants feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

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Thank you to all who submitted a proposal for our Inclusive Summit! We were overwhelmed by the great responses and had a hard time choosing! We will be gathering resources from presentations we didn't have space for to create a Inclusive Summit Resource Hub. 

All workshops were selected by a volunteer review team. 

Registration

Opening in early 2025. 

2025 Schedule 

Inclusivity in the Outdoors Month

April 2025 will be Inclusivity in the Outdoors month, with three (3) stand alone workshops leading up to the Summit with topics ranging from Principles of DEI and disability and accessibility in outdoor recreation. 

We encourage everyone to attend the three (3) stand alone workshops before the day of the Inclusive Summit. 

All stand alone workshops will be free for members. Workshops can be purchased a la carte or as a bundle with the Inclusive Summit. 

April Schedule

All stand-alone webinars are at 1pm ET

Live Workshop Day  - April 24

Worksheets & Toolkit

All Inclusive Summit attendees will receive a Toolkit with worksheets to help them navigate the stand alone workshops and the live summit day. 

Attendees choosing to only participate in stand alone workshops will receive a worksheet to help guide them through the workshop. 

WHO IS THE SUMMIT FOR?

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.

Meet the 2025 Speakers

Courtney Schultz, PhD

OutGrown

Dr. Courtney Schultz is the Executive Partner at OutGrown, a national nonprofit that for more than a decade has been dedicated to bridging the Baby Nature Gap by helping families with children aged 0–5 connect with nature. With extensive experience leading projects for local, state, and federal agencies, Dr. Schultz specializes in designing behavioral research that improves health outcomes through parks, natural landscapes, and outdoor recreation. Her work emphasizes inclusive design practices and systems thinking to enhance visitor experiences, focusing on underserved communities and ensuring that conservation and recreation support public health goals. Dr. Schultz is also the Executive Director of Health & Technology Partners, a social science research consultancy, and Adjunct Faculty for the University of Missouri. Dr. Schultz holds a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University, along with a BS and a MS in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Missouri.

Elizabeth Allen

Justice Outside

Elizabeth Allen, MA (She/Her), is the Director of Learning and Impact at Justice Outside, an organization dedicated to advancing racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement. With over 25 years in children’s behavioral health and 15 years in non-profit youth development, Elizabeth has been a formidable advocate for inclusivity and diversity in outdoor spaces.

Elizabeth's journey in predominantly white outdoor spaces has fueled her commitment to enhancing visibility and creating opportunities for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and other underrepresented groups in nature. She has been a keynote speaker at the 2022 National Interscholastic Cycling Association Annual Conference, highlighting the crucial role of inclusion & belonging in outdoor recreation. Additionally, Elizabeth serves as an outdoor recreation educator with Afros in Nature, where she designs experiences that are welcoming and accessible to people of color, those in larger bodies, the elderly, and other under represented communities. Elizabeth is a certified ropes course instructor for almost two decades and utilized a model that blends experiential activities with mental health and wellness initiatives.

Her leadership extends to her service on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling Association, where she also consults on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Elizabeth is also an active social media content creator, focusing on fostering inclusion and belonging in the outdoors. Her content reaches a wide audience, advocating for a more equitable outdoor experience for all.

A passionate outdoor enthusiast, Elizabeth enjoys cycling, hiking, paddleboarding, and photography. When not engaging with nature or advocating for equitable outdoor access, she can be found absorbing podcasts, reading, editing nature-based videos, and maintaining her reputation as the "Cool Auntie." 

Elliot Drake-Maurer

Oregon State University Extension, Outdoor School

Elliot Drake-Maurer (he/him) is a person who stutters and has been teaching and leading in the outdoors for fifteen years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Education from Northland College. He has taught traditional survival skills, guided raft trips, and led backpacking expeditions in northern California, guided kayak tours on Lake Superior, and taught environmental education in public K-8 schools.

He is currently the High School Leader Coordinator for the Oregon State University Extension Outdoor School, helping develop and improve teen leadership experiences in a statewide environmental education program. As an educator, Elliot seeks to help people discover a personal relationship with the earth and is interested in the intersections of identity, culture, and place in the field of outdoor education.

Elliot resides in Corvallis, OR where he enjoys paddling on the Willamette River, cross-county skiing in the mountains, and playing Irish folk music.

Gerry James

Sierra Club

Gerry Seavo James is Deputy Campaign Director, Outdoors For All for the Sierra Club's Outdoors For All Campaign where he works apart of a team focused on securing federal legislative and administrative opportunities that accelerate outdoor access and equity across the U.S. In his previous role, he served as the inaugural He is also the founder of Outdoor Recreation Design Lab, a creative think tank home rooted in incubation of inclusive outdoor environments, helping all people be active, preservation of biodiversity, and just transition for rural communities. ORDL past projects include the Explore Kentucky brand and RERC EPA consultancy.

Gerry is a certified ACA instructor in various disciplines and winner of their 2018 Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year. In 2020 he co-founded the ACA's DEI working group that kickstarted the organization inclusion efforts including the establishment of the Equity and Inclusion Fund, Community Paddlesports Leader Certification, creation of an inclusion focused staff role, Community Paddlesports Leadership Academy, and Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) Initiative. Gerry earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications Area from Campbellsville University. He is also an Air Force veteran, social artist, and photojournalist. Since 2010, Gerry has adopted the Commonwealth of Kentucky as his home.

Heather West

LOOP NOLA

Heather West is the Executive Director at LOOP NOLA and has worked with youth-based nonprofits in the outdoor education field since 2009. She worked for Outward Bound for over five years, leading 3-4 week canoeing and backpacking expeditions for at-risk youth. After moving back to New Orleans, Heather began working for LOOP NOLA in 2016 as the Program Director and transitioned to the Executive Director role in 2022. She spends her spare time sailing, playing outside with her husband and dog, and enjoying New Orleans culture.

Joe Stone

Dovetail Trail Consulting

Joe is an avid outdoor adventurer whose life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when a speed flying accident left him as an incomplete C7 quadriplegic. Despite this challenge, Joe has continued to pursue his passions, becoming an experienced adaptive mountain biker, hiker, and paraglider.

Before founding Dovetail, Joe served as Executive Director of Teton Adaptive in Jackson, WY, where he led initiatives supporting outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. Over the years, he has collaborated with trail crews, land management agencies, mountain bike festivals, resorts, and nonprofit organizations across the country, all focused on enhancing access and opportunities for those with disabilities.

In addition to his work in outdoor recreation, Joe is a dedicated advocate for disability rights, with extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). He is deeply involved in efforts to ensure that the disability community's voices are heard and that greater opportunities for inclusion and accessibility continue to grow.

Micah Leinbach

Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching

Micah Leinbach has been running collaboratively-designed outdoor programs across organizations for over a decade, leading multiple teams in conducting this style of custom-built education program. He has supported non-profits, schools, municipalities, faith groups, home school families, and more in building - and then supporting the operations of - trips that expand on the work they already do. He has worked as a wilderness guide for over a decade, and is a Wilderness EMT, Level 3 Leave No Trace Instructor, and experienced coach and facilitator.

In Collaboration With Our
2025 Inclusive Summit Partners: