No Child Left Inside gets more kids outdoors than ever

“I can think of so many moments from Y.E.T.I. trips that show the effect of outdoor adventure, from confidence to mental health, from academic success to new friends," said David Dunphy, executive director at Youth Experiential Training Institute (Y.E.T.I.)  “The reality is we may never fully understand the impact of that first hike, the first time leaning back on a rope rock climbing or the first time seeing a snow-filled mountain landscape. I do know that if we don't break down the barriers for those first moments then we will miss out on all the possibilities that can come from time outside,” said David Dunphy.

Y.E.T.I. is one of 92 programs around Washington state receiving funding from No Child Left Inside to get underserved youth outdoors. Photo courtesy of Youth Experiential Training Institute.

Through Y.E.T.I., a long-term WTA partner, David gets to really appreciate first hand the power of bringing youth outdoors. That’s why he traveled to Olympia in March 2023 along with Washington Trails Association and other partners on a trip organized by The Wilderness Society to encourage state legislators to increase investment in No Child Left Inside (NCLI). 

The Washington State Legislature established the NCLI grant program in 2007 to connect underserved youth with the outdoors. It is administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, in partnership with Washington State Parks, and the funds are appropriated by the state Legislature.

The program went unfunded and was inactive for years, until 2015 when WTA and other partners advocated to bring it back. Organizations like WTA and The Wilderness Society have the experience with the state legislative process to make it easy for staff at Y.E.T.I and other youth-serving organizations to tell their stories about the importance of NCLI funding.   

The state legislature listened to Y.E.T.I., WTA and the broader NCLI coalition and provided the program its highest level of funding to date: $7 million for programs from 2023-2025. This investment is funding 92 programs around the state, supporting tens of thousands of Washington’s youth in getting outdoors.

Y.E.T.I. believes that all young people should have access to their public lands and the physical and mental health benefits of being outdoors. Photo courtesy of Youth Experiential Training Institute.

Youth Experiential Training Institute (Y.E.T.I.) believes that all young people should have the opportunity to access their public lands. Knowing that barriers like financial cost, experience, equipment, gender and racial inequity prevent many young people from getting outside, Y.E.T.I. provides transportation, food, equipment, instruction and flexible payment options for all their outdoor activities. 

Thanks to previous years of NCLI funding, Y.E.T.I was able to launch their kayaking program. This cycle’s funding, combined with other grant sources, allowed them to partner with six additional schools in South King County, doubling the number of outdoor trips that were possible! Year round, Y.E.T.I staff take students at these schools on weekly outings to go hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, camping, kayaking, fishing, rock climbing and mountain biking. 

Through these activities, youth can grow their interpersonal skills, become lifelong nature stewards, develop a responsible recreation ethic and connect with caring adults who can support positive decision-making.

With demand for outdoor programs continually outstripping the available funds, the No Child Left Inside coalition, including Y.E.T.I., WTA and The Wilderness Society, will keep advocating for this essential program. Photo courtesy of Youth Experiential Training Institute.

Most of the students that Y.E.T.I. takes outdoors are youth of color and a majority come from low-income families. Y.E.T.I. and the 91 other programs funded by No Child Left Inside are working to close the nature gap. 

Time in nature supports the mental and physical health of the youth who participate. Benefits include reduced anxiety and depression, improved academic performance and better social connections.  

Each grant cycle, the demand for NCLI funding outstrips the funds available. Even with 2023’s additional investment, this time was no exception. For the 2023-25 grant cycle, NCLI received grant requests totalling $12.3 million, more than ever before.

WTA, The Wilderness Society and our partners including Y.E.T.I., will return to the state legislature each year to ensure this essential program gets the funding that it needs. Join WTA’s Trail Action network to receive 1-2 updates each month on how you can support our work breaking down barriers to the outdoors.