CultureSeed is a nonprofit organization located in the Columbia Gorge, the largest national scenic area in the United States, and a rural region with pronounced economic disparities. CultureSeed offers youth free and ongoing Outdoor Immersion and Mental Health.
Our mission is to provide year-round connection to nature, self, and others, for our youth and communities to thrive. Starting as early as 7th grade and continuing through high school and beyond, youth meet regularly for outings, overnights, peer circles, counseling, mentorship, and a summer outdoor adventure trip. CultureSeed also provides youth and their families with referrals, support groups, and an access fund. Our cornerstone programs are at least a year in duration and many of our youth return year after year.
As youth advance through or graduate from CultureSeed programming, they are matched with training and internships, work with CultureSeed as Junior Guides to gain professional experience, engage in advocacy and organizational strategy. CultureSeed accompanies youth into young adulthood increasing access to opportunities and wellness, diversifying the outdoors and the outdoor economy, decentralizing and destigmatizing mental health so that it is more widely understood and cared for.
CultureSeed counters a disconnected culture through our whole circle approach — a focus on long-term contact, wellness, the outdoors, community connection and opportunities. CultureSeed is part of the puzzle of public and private investment, cooperation between sectors, and place-based collective work that is necessary to break cycles of poverty and increase the well-being and economic stability of youth and the adults in their lives.
CultureSeed is village work!
Learn more about our programs.
Sign up for our newsletters, access our newsletter archive and articles.
