Outdoor Research Collaborative
The Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing and Experiential Engagement (ORC) was created in order to expand and include diverse uses of the outdoors and experiential practice which are not limited to adventure therapy.
The Collaborative is a group of researchers and practitioners who transparently support and facilitate research and disseminate findings on experiential and outdoor interventions in diverse settings across the continuum of behavioral healthcare to improve the quality of life for children, adolescents and adults. The Collaborative aims to support and implement practices designed to elevate accessibility, inclusion and belonging.
ANTHEM AWARDS - BRONZE AWARD WINNER
We’re honored to share that the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing, and Experiential Engagement has been honored with a BRONZE Award in the 5th Annual Anthem Awards (2025), in the Health category for Research Projects or Publications (under Awareness categories).
Our work centers lived experience, collaboration, and the power of nature to improve wellbeing. Being recognized alongside such an inspiring global community is a true honor. This recognition affirms the importance of inclusive, community-rooted research in shaping healthier futures through nature and health initiatives.
The Anthem Awards, founded by The Webby Awards, recognize mission-driven work across the globe, and this year’s winners include change-makers across health, equity, sustainability, and more.
Visit our Anthem Awards Page HERE to learn more about the Anthem Awards and this honor for the ORC.
The Collaborative Seeks
To examine key issues in the field of outdoor health by identifying important research topics, participants, and funding sources to advance practice.
The Collaborative Engages
In values-aligned partnership opportunities and relationship-building that aims to increase the Collaborative’s impact and reach.
The Collaborative Is Driven
By the core values and is committed to a collaborative approach that fosters diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Values
The Collaborative engages in values-aligned partnership opportunities and relationship-building that increase the Collaborative’s impact and reach.
Collaborators
The Collaborative was created to expand and include researchers and practitioners with diverse areas of focus within outdoor and experiential practice.
Communities
The ORC Collaborators are active in 12 overlapping areas of practice and research which we call Communities of Practice and Research.