One Great River

 Developing Healthy Youth with a Resilient Mindset

The Mission of One Great River is to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent risk behaviors among children and youth, such as illicit substance use, social media addiction, and suicide.

One Great River is responding to current health risk behaviors among youth caused in part by the lingering COVID Pandemic and by addiction to social media, risks such as:

   isolation among peers; 

   increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression;

   loss opportunity for social development with diverse others; 

   sedentary life-style and unhealthy eating;

   disconnect from nature.

Children ages 12-13 and youth ages 14-17, are involved in experiential education, conducted in nature settings, to develop a healthy life-style with a resilient mindset. We involve youth in  a menu of five, day-long activities.

BELONGING 

Youth, from diverse cultural backgrounds, are involved in an experiential day of play to build trust, team, and a sense of belonging. In doing so, we collaborate with other local, culture-specific, non-profit organizations.

LIVING HEALTHY

Youth are connected to nature through experiential education in trail running, hiking, and learning to prepare a healthy picnic lunch. We utilize primarily fresh whole foods and do not serve sugar-laden beverages.

BEING MINDFUL

Youth learn the proven life-skill of Mindfulness to effectively manage risk factors, such as anxiety and stress that contribute to problem behaviors, like illicit substance use and suicide.

FINDING WONDER

Youth are introduced to photo journaling, conducted in a nature setting, to promote finding passion in life and set goals for healthy living, education and positive relationships.

BEING KIND

Youth donate a day of volunteer service to bring fun and joy to others.

Testimonials

Melissa:

My childhood experiences with One Great River of Louisiana—rafting through rapids, hiking the majestic Grand Teton Mountains, and biking scenic trails—were transformative. Yet, the most profound lessons came from sitting in circle with community along with Native American elders, whose teachings about respect for the earth, balance, and community remain a guiding light in my life today. These lessons continue to shape how I nurture children and adults in healing spaces.

As a peer leader, I discovered not only the joy of guiding others but also the depth of my own connection to nature and humanity. This organization, deeply cherished by my family, gave my brother lifelong friendships and inspired my father’s service on its board. I hope others will join me in supporting One Great River, ensuring it continues offering these life-changing experiences for generations to come.

Myra: 

One Great River was an amazing experience; and to this day I incorporate what I learned about living a healthy lifestyle and exploring nature with my own children. My family and I go camping, bike riding, and take frequent nature walks. 

Jennifer: 

One Great River was one of the best experiences of my life! It taught me so many life skills that I still use to this day! It changed my life and opened my eyes to a whole new world I never knew existed!! Thank you One Great River for teaching me the morals and values I needed to get through life.

Brandon :

 One Great River has impacted me in a tremendous way. It taught me how to work together as a team with people of very diverse backgrounds. I learned to eat healthy foods.

 The biggest influence on me was an adventure trek in Grand Teton National Park. As an inner city teen, I had never been out of the south. I had no idea what to expect. I saw mountains, elk , streams and forests everywhere. And learned to love the outdoors.

My future goal is to be able to get more diverse children in the program so that they can learn and have the appreciation to healthy eating, teamwork and the outdoors.