L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean’s commitment to youth development comes to life through an array of carefully designed resources and experiences. Expert guides lead Club kids through Outdoor Discovery Programs, where they learn new skills like kayaking, paddleboarding, and archery in a supportive environment. For many youth, these moments mark their first time trying these activities – opening their eyes to new possibilities and passions.

These hands-on experiences do more than teach outdoor skills – they help young people:

• Build self-confidence and resilience
• Develop healthy coping strategies
• Form meaningful peer connections
• Discover new paths for personal growth
• Create lasting bonds with nature

To extend this impact beyond direct programming, our partnership developed a comprehensive Outdoor Social Recreation Playbook with L.L.Bean’s support, providing an invaluable guide for Clubs nationwide. This resource empowers Club staff to confidently lead outdoor adventures and learning experiences in their own communities. Through dedicated grants, L.L.Bean also helps remove common barriers to outdoor access by funding transportation, equipment, and local programming.

In 2024 alone, over 180 youth participated in L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs across five Clubs, while hundreds more benefited from L.L.Bean-sponsored outdoor programming nationwide. The results speak volumes: 95% of Club youth now say they can accomplish most things if they try their best, while 91% show stronger emotional awareness.

But perhaps the most powerful testament comes from the youth themselves.

As one Club teen shared after a kayaking experience, “It’s very peaceful out here and gives me time to think.” Another member reflected, “I was really scared at first, but once I got the hang of it, it was a lot of fun.”

These moments of growth, discovery, and joy demonstrate how outdoor experiences can shape confident, capable young people who are ready to tackle life’s challenges.