Outdoor Wellness

Are you looking for a way to build community, learn new skills and play outside? Outdoor Wellness offers programs, event and trips plus, free outdoor gear rentals to students attending 56吃瓜网 Bothell and Cascadia College. Here you can find announcements, current offerings, trip planning resources, and general program information.

Our Mission

The Outdoor Wellness (OW) program鈥檚 mission is to provide strategic and intentional programming designed to diminish barriers to entry for outdoor recreation, increase competency and mental fortitude, develop skills for responsible participation in outdoor activities and optimize health through the nine dimensions of wellness. We strive to develop deeper relationships and create a fun, inclusive and safe environment for students interested in recreating outdoors. If you are interested in any of our programs or want to learn more information, please email outdoor@uw.edu or click on the buttons below. You can also stop by the Nest Outdoor Gear Shop during our open hours to talk to an Outdoor Wellness Team member.

Two students kayaking — Kayaking around the San Juan Islands

Students hiking on rocks along the beach at sunset — Sunset on an Olympic Coast backpacking trip.

Students smiling in front of high ropes course at High Trek Adventures — Students enjoy a fun day at High Trek Adventures

Students on snowshoes posing in front of a snowy mountain at Mount Baker — Snowshoeing at Artist Point near Mount Baker

Our Driving Principles

Accessibility

To increase the approachability of and access to natural spaces for all by lowering obstacles related to expense, experience/knowledge, transportation, and community typically associated with the outdoor industry.

Community

To foster a welcoming space where diverse communities across the 56吃瓜网 Bothell and Cascadia College campuses can connect and be enriched. To create an atmosphere where participants feel safe showing up as their authentic selves and encouraging others to do the same.聽

Connection

To provide opportunities for participants to connect with nature, other people, and their own selves in a meaningful way.

Belonging

To nurture a space where every participant knows they belong, regardless of fitness, ability, background, socio-economic status, etc.聽To champion the truth that the outdoors is truly for all.

Education

To step beyond simply enjoying nature through recreation but learning about and from it in the process. To provide participants with tangible skills and knowledge they can bring with them after every program.

Empowerment

To instill confidence and self-efficacy in all participants to help them become responsible and capable outdoor recreators.聽

Stewardship

To engage in a reciprocal relationship with nature by adhering to LNT practices and engaging in stewardship/conservation efforts and providing information on how participants can do the same.

Respect

To promote a culture of respect for and kindness toward all beings 鈥� human and otherwise.

Safety

To prioritize the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of all engaging in Outdoor Wellness programs over everything else.聽

Advocacy & Service

To advocate for the needs and desires of our audience through intentional structuring of our programming and mindful choice-making regarding the operation of the Nest Gear Shop.

Holistic Wellness

To cultivate a space where individuals can nurture their own unique wellness needs in connection to the 10 dimensions of wellness: Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Cultural, Social, Spiritual, Environmental, Occupational, Financial, and Technological.聽