GGO is HIRING!
Finance & Programming Coordinator:
will be responsible for (1) coordinating projects at three different partner schools, (2) recruiting and creating a system to sustain enough volunteers and financial support to create an additional two new programs, and (3) writing grants and establishing a diverse revenue stream




Public Relations & Programming Coordinator:
will be responsible for (1) coordinating projects at 3 different partner schools, (2) recruiting and creating a system to sustain a volunteer base and financials assistance pessary to create an additional two new programs, (3) developing and implementing press releases and kits, securing media partners, and (4) developing community partnerships, conducting community and partner outreach,

In the News!
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Terrain Magazine, a St. Louis based outdoor magazine, highlights Gateway to the Great Outdoors as an organization doing "Good Deeds in the Great Outdoors"

VOTE HERE: For Gateway to the Great Outdoors as your favorite Outdoors nonprofit
July Stories
For us, GGO is so much about working with the students. Each week in the classroom or on an outing brings new interactions and friendships that remind us the importance of what we do, and inspire us to do more.

From June to August, we are working with a great group of students at Cherokee Recreation Center Summer Camp. Right away, we noticed these students' boisterous personalities would make for an amazing summer experience.
Week 1: Growing Interest
The students planted vegetables in re-used food containers. They have been extremely enthusiastic about plant care. On the first day, one student named his plant and as he patted down the soil whispered "You're going to get big and strong, Ray Ray. I know you will." Ray Ray continues to be the tallest plant, almost ready for harvest.
Week 3: In-Tents Fun!
The students learned how to set up a tents and other camping skills. Inside the tent, the students thought it would double as a fantastic dance clubhouse. They began busted out singing and dancing!
Week 4: Igniting Passion
The students learned about forest fires, fire safety, and how to properly create a campfire. At the end of the lesson, we celebrated by making our favorite campfire dessert...S'mores! 
Week 6: Leave No Trace
St. Louis has steaming hot summers! We had an outdoor water balloon fight to cool down and have fun. Afterwards, the students learned about three R's though and the Leave No Trace Principals. In the spirit of the lesson, we did a park clean up, making sure the park was cleaner than we found it. 
Volunteer of the Month
GGO is excited to share with you July's volunteer of the month, Ben Aiken. Starting in August, Ben will no longer be a volunteer, as he will be transitioning into a new position as GGO's Educational Director. Ben has been volunteering with GGO since 2015 and we are so excited for him to be working in our Chicago office! We asked him a few questions to highlight his hard work and dedication.

Q: How did you originally get involved with GGO?
A: Nadav approached me with the idea back in 2015. We worked together on other outdoor projects and I had experience working with St. Louis schools and in enrichment programs. So it seemed to be the perfect fit! I have been volunteering ever since. 

Q: How did you help found GGO?
A: I leveraged my experience in St. Louis schools and helped build our first few school partnerships. Since then I moved to Dallas-Fort Worth and started our Texas branch!

Q: What are you most excited about to begin working with GGO?
A: I can’t wait to move to Chicago and grow our organization there!

To learn more about Ben, click here
ENJOY
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