Sustainability Adventure Program

The Sustainability Adventure Program's mission is to explore the vibrant landscapes that Florida has to offer while viewing them through the lens of sustainability. Students have the opportunity to engage with the outdoors and explore different career opportunities in the environmental field and sustainable stewardship.

The Program aims to create hands-on learning experiences that are engaging and exciting while prioritizing their safety. Over 150 students have been through this indoor and outdoor adventure program since its inception. It is a transformative experience that instills the idea of a sustainable future for our Orlando Youth.

Through these experiences and various outdoor trips, students can develop a profound appreciation for nature. While these trips provide an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, they also serve as confidence and creativity-boosting adventures that help reduce stress and elevate self-esteem. Amidst the excitement, students also gain valuable life skills and discover the power of effective teamwork.

The Sustainability Adventure Program is not only dedicated to curating new opportunities for these students; it is a transformative experience that instills the idea of a sustainable future for our Orlando youth. For many students in this program, activities and adventures such as camping, fishing, canoeing, and even making s'mores are moments they are experiencing for the first time in their lives.

Program background

In the Fall of 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) Grant, managed by the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, provided grant funding to the City of Orlando Kids Zone (OKZ), a program dedicated to investing in Orlando's most vulnerable youth. 

The primary goal of this grant was to expose students to various educational and environmental experiences in and around Orlando. The program was originally created to benefit youth residing in the Parramore and Holden Heights neighborhoods of Orlando, with an age range of 12-18 years old. The Sustainability Adventure Program expanded in 2023 to now include Mercy Drive Kidz Zone and Englewood Kidz Zone.