5 WTA Community Partners to Support this GivingTuesday

Washington Trails Association believes that trails are for everyone, forever. We seek to create a community of avid outdoor enthusiasts who love natural spaces. This year for GivingTuesday, we are highlighting five community partners that are making waves, rewriting narratives in the outdoors and making sure everyone has access to connect with nature and experience joy in the outdoors. Please consider sharing your generosity with these community partner organizations. 

Y.E.T.I: Youth Experiential Training Institute 

Youth on a snowshoe trip with Y.E.T.I. Photo courtesy Y.E.T.I.  

Youth Experiential Training Institute (Y.E.T.I.) is a south King County organization that facilitates outdoor trips for youth. They believe that all young people should have the opportunity for outdoor adventure and time in nature. Committed to flexibility and accessibility, Y.E.T.I Adventures offers low- to no-cost programs that are rooted in public schools and various youth-serving organizations. 

Through experiences like mountain biking, kayaking and hiking, Y.E.T.I. strives to create places of belonging where young people learn and grow. They actively break down financial, cultural and gender barriers to invite the next generation to fall in love with their public lands. 

Donate today to support Y.E.T.I’s adventures to make the outdoors a more inclusive place that everyone feels connected to. 

The Bronze Chapter

Participants with the Bronze Chapter on a camping trip on Samish Island. Photo Provided by Freya Fennwood Photography. 

The Bronze Chapter is a Black woman-founded and led organization. They provide supportive opportunities for underrepresented communities of color to experience nature and the natural world in ways that lead to curiosity, joy, deep listening and life-long learning. The Bronze Chapter is committed to dissolving barriers and expanding outdoor access by offering education and opportunities that help communities of color recreate, explore and find solace in nature and wilderness spaces. 

The Bronze Chapter’s programs are centered around activities, classes and campouts to connect BIPOC families, youth, and individuals to the natural world. They provide opportunities to learn outdoor skills including camping and backpacking, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, and they host workshops on topics like outdoor self-defense, wilderness first aid and leave no trace. 

Donate today to help to support the Bronze Chapter’s goal of raising $20,000 for their annual all-inclusive, multicultural, intergenerational, family-centering, BIPOC led and organized, sleepover summer camp held July 11-15, 2024. This is the only camp of its kind in Washington state. Funds raised will help cover all fees for 40 BIPOC youth for the event at Samish Island Nature and Adventure Camp. 

Sea Potential 

Participants get ready to launch boats to explore the water. Photo Provided by Sea Potential 

Sea Potential is making waves around the Salish Sea by leading relational and heart based programs guided by their values of community, authenticity, curiosity and growth. They provide training and resources to increase BIPOC representation in the maritime industry. Through healing activities and ocean justice conversations, their programs focus on fostering youth appreciation and connection to marine ecosystems and they offer events and opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. 

Programs offered by Sea Potential allows youth to connect with and explore marine ecosystems through relational activities such as restoration, marine science career exploration, summer camps, kayaking in the San Juan Islands and surfing on the coast. Sea Potential embodies and teaches inclusive workplace culture in the maritime industry through practicing “representation over assimilation,” and creating a world centered on reciprocal healing and relationships where everyone is seen, heard and valued. 

Donate today to help Sea Potential fund BIPOC educational healing programs that are changing the maritime industry. 

African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) 

Youth enjoying the view, using binoculars to explore the wonders of the natural world around them. Photo courtesty ACHD.  

African Community Housing and Development (ACHD) is a community-based organization that provides holistic, complete and culturally specific support for people of African descent in the greater Seattle area and that has visionary women of color in leadership roles. Their mission is to provide opportunities for African Diaspora immigrant and refugee communities in King County to attain health and housing stability, economic development, high-quality education and referrals to legal services.

ACHD education programs offer opportunities for youth to explore Washington's forests and parks through hiking, backpacking, camping and tide pooling. These experiences help youth grow as a community, achieve excellence, explore innovation and prosper in all areas of life. Donate today to support ACHD’s vision of an informed African immigrant and refugee community that is engaged in the holistic development of their families, community and environment.

Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation

Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation participants playing games and enjoying each other’s company at camp. Photo courtesy Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation.  

Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization providing inclusive, community-based recreation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through one-on-one and small groups that focus on cultivating confidence, friendships, joy and respect.  

Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation has a wide variety of activities and social engagement for participants. Throughout the year they offer weekly social groups that range from creating arts and crafts to birdwatching. In the summer, Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation offers lawn bowling, footgolf, golf and camping trips. They believe that these activities provide community engagement and inclusion that helps foster independence and maximize fun. 

Donate today to support Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation as they expand their efforts to help people with disabilities access and enjoy the outdoors.

Washington Trails Association is honored to continue to work with these community partners to get everyone outside and for future generations to have opportunities to savor these outdoor places. We look forward to seeing each program continue to grow and prosper as we continue to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to access, explore and enjoy the outdoors.