Virtual Education
The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) is the leading organization in the United States dedicated to serving the needs of outdoor recreation professionals and facilitators. We work to provide valuable content to our members through our benefits, including virtual education and professional development.
We are bringing on speakers from all over the world to speak on topics you’ve requested through surveys and conversations with us. We encourage you to not wait for our Annual Conference to learn and network — join us from anywhere in the world — no travel costs required!
Upcoming Series
January / February 2025: Navigating the Outdoors: Facilitated Recreation, Policy, Permitting, and Partnerships
Join The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) and The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) for Navigating the Outdoors, the first webinar series 2025. This four-part series delves into facilitated recreation and its evolving role in public land access, visitor experience, and outdoor partnerships. Explore successful collaboration models between outdoor facilitators and land management agencies that enhance stewardship and visitor experiences. Sessions will feature insights from agency leaders, guides, policy experts, and organizations shaping outdoor recreation.
Key topics include addressing challenges like career accessibility in outdoor facilitation, innovative strategies to mitigate crowding, and improving facilitator-agency relationships amid staff shortages. The series will conclude with a policy-focused session examining permitting challenges, reforms for sustainable access, and strategies for equitable outdoor management.
January 29, 2025 | 1pm MT / 3pm ET
Facilitated Recreation Unpacked: Defining the Practice and Partnerships
Dive into the foundations of facilitated recreation and explore its vital role in enhancing public access and visitor experiences on public lands.
February 5, 2025 | 1pm MT / 3pm ET
Agency Insights: Collaboration and Access in Outdoor Recreation
Explore the agency perspective on facilitated recreation and its role in public land management with insights from Kristin Kahler of the U.S. Forest Service.
February 12, 2025 | 1pm MT / 3pm ET
On the Ground: Perspectives from Outdoor Guides and Facilitators (Panel)
Check out a panel discussion to hear firsthand perspectives from outdoor guides and facilitators navigating the challenges and opportunities of creating meaningful outdoor experiences.
February 19, 2025 | 1pm MT / 3pm ET
Policy Pathways: Evolving Permits and Access for Public Lands
Dive into the critical policy and permitting issues shaping the future of outdoor recreation on public lands. Paul Sanford of The Wilderness Society and experts from the Coalition of Outdoor Access (COA) will explore the complexities of the current permitting system, challenges facing outdoor facilitators, and the need for reform to ensure sustainable access for all.
April 2025: Inclusivity in the Outdoors
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.
Registration opens in January
Events
Leave No Trace Level 3 Training
Facilitated Recreation Unpacked: Defining the Practice and Partnerships
Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
Agency Insights: Collaboration and Access in Outdoor Recreation
On the Ground: Perspectives from Outdoor Guides and Facilitators (Panel)
Policy Pathways: Evolving Permits and Access for Public Lands
Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
Outdoor Rec Connect
Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
We offer professional development and learning opportunities in three ways:
- Annual Conference
- Live sessions:
- Professional Development Webinars
- Networking
- Inclusive Summit
- On demand content, including:
Why Attend AORE's Virtual Education?
- It is important to invest in yourself to grow and stay up to speed on current trends and regulations. Professional development is like giving your brain a workout!
- When you commit to professional development with AORE you will receive a framework to grow your programs, interact with public land managers, influence decisions that affect the human-powered outdoor recreation industry, and more.
- When you invest in your professional development journey, this means you are registering and showing up for events. You are engaging and asking questions. Many of our sessions are casual and a great place to network and meet fellow education leaders and facilitators.
- We encourage you to register and set aside time each month to your professional development and engage with these opportunities.
- AORE aims to provide professional development in a cost-effective manner. As an AORE member, you will benefit from the most cost effective access to programming. While we can’t offer everything for free, so do work to offer a variety of opportunities in different cost brackets.
I volunteer with AORE because it's a great way to network within the Outdoor Adventure community. It's also a great way to gain experience in different roles within the industry than I generally play and to give back to the community.
Candace Brendler
Coordinator for Outdoor Action at Princeton University
Be a Speaker
We would love to have you join as a speaker. Tell us about your expertise and what type of event you'd like to host. We'll be in touch if you are fit!
Share an Idea
Interested in learning about a certain topic or from a particular speaker? Tell us about it! Submit your ideas and we will reach out if we have any question.