Outdoor Adventures for Healthcare Workers

In 2020, First Descents launched outdoor adventure programming for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to leadership support from Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, The VF Foundation, and #StartSmall.

Healthcare workers endure significant stress, trauma, and psychosocial challenges and we’re dedicated to caring for those who care for us by providing trauma-informed adventure programs aimed at respite and renewal. Following the pandemic, we announced that Young Adult Healthcare Workers would become one of our core communities with several weeklong adventure programs offered each year. To be eligible to attend, participants must currently be between the ages of 18-45 and work within the healthcare industry.

“Since the start of the COVID crisis I’ve started on anxiety medicine and haven’t been able to sleep. This opportunity sounds like a perfect chance to connect with people outside of my hospital, share stories, and heal.”