About the Nonprofit
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At Chicago Voyagers, our mission is to empower youth through adventure therapy programs that foster healthy relationships and skills for life success. Through our unique programs, Chicago Voyagers helps expose youth to the natural world around them, expanding their understanding of what is possible. We also provide the support and guidance needed to help them understand and cultivate personal responsibility, self-empowerment, and belief in their ability to achieve and overcome challenges.
Chicago Voyagers provides evidence-based experiential outdoor programming in partnership with more than 30 area schools and community organizations. Our adventure-therapy programs include hiking and backpacking, overnight camping, canoeing, mountain biking, and more; and they are offered year-round. Participants are carefully selected by the community partners in consultation with Chicago Voyagers. Activities typically consist of 3-4 adults with 7-9 teens. Participation in our programs –including clothing and equipment – is provided at no cost to the teens. Each of our programs uses a multi-faceted, neuroscience-based approach to prevent or diminish the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a catchall term that encapsulates a myriad of complicating childhood experiences like poverty, abuse, trauma from gun violence, and lack of familial support. Each year, CV works with around 400 students ranging in age from 12-18. To date, CV has served more than 5,000 unique youth.
