SOS Outreach

At SOS Outreach, we change young lives, building character and leadership in underserved kids through mentoring outdoors. Our life-changing programs combine outdoor exploration, positive adult mentorship, leadership skills and community service to help youth discover joy, feel included, overcome challenges, improve their mental health, and become strong leaders. It begins with an introductory ski/snowboard experience through our Learn to Ride/Ski programs, progresses to a four-year Mentoring Program that combines on mountain skill building and in community leadership development, and finally to a Peer Mentor program where kids pass on knowledge and joy they experienced to the next generation of SOS participants. We integrate our six core values (courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion, and humility) into everything we do and as students progress through the program they start to embody the core values and see the positive impact they have at school, at home, with their friends, and of course, on the mountain. Throughout our 26 years of operation nationwide, SOS Outreach has engaged over 70,000 youth in 15 locations. SOS Outreach began programs in Park City in 2016 and have since provided the opportunity for over 800 local youth to engage in our programs and ski/snowboard at Park City Mountain. We partner with school districts and youth agencies from Summit and Wasatch Counties to identify youth and create a network of support to ensure our kids are set up for success. 

COVID-19 UPDATE

Although our season came to a close in March due to COVID-19, the powerful connection between mentor and mentee continues. While we’re practicing social distancing guidelines and staying at home, we’re maintaining that connection in creative ways. Our mentors have been reaching out to our kids through calls, text, video chat, and socially-distanced hikes to reinforce their commitment as a dedicated resource and listening ear during this time. While the consistent structure that school and extracurricular activities provide is currently on hold, it is more important than ever for our youth to have supportive, positive relationships to help them overcome unexpected obstacles. We believe leaning on community and human connection will not only get us through this challenging time but challenging times we may face in the future.