ORIS World of Ski Heroes: SOS Outreach

SOS Outreach, founded and headquartered in Colorado’s Vail Valley in 1993, is a national youth development nonprofit utilizing outdoor experiential learning to inspire positive decision-making for healthy and successful lives. Every SOS program incorporates the six core values of courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion and humility. SOS mentors help students define and practice these core values as they provide a consistent adult presence for students who may not otherwise have a positive role model in their lives.

Targeting kids with poor grades, low attendance and behavioral issues, SOS intervenes in situations that typically lead to high school dropout. SOS teaches a year-round, multi-year progressive curriculum beginning with the five- day introductory Learn to Ride program, continuing with the four-year University curriculum and culminating when students return to SOS in a junior mentor capacity. Throughout the curriculum, SOS students focus on outdoor experiential learning, character development, values-based leadership training, and social justice advocacy.

Arn’s Proudest Moment

The most exciting development for me has been the recognition that SOS has received over the past year from three leading Universities (NYU, Columbia and Harvard) for the significant impact that SOS Outreach is having in the future success of its participants. As a result, SOS is positioned to submit an extensive grant request to the National Institute of Health to further research demonstrate the organization’s long-term results.

To learn more and get involved, visit: www.SOSOutreach.org

Visit SkiMag.com/heroes for the opportunity to win an ORIS BC3 Advanced Day Date watch plus a trip to Beaver Creek during the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup.

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