Young explorers in Red Rocks, Nevada (© Corey Rich for The North Face)

The North Face has launched Explore Fund^TM (www.explorefund.org), a grant-giving program committed to supporting nonprofit, community organizations that break down the barriers to getting youth outdoors. With the support of The North Face® partners, the fund will make available more than $300,000 to groups helping reconnect children with nature.

"Today's young skiers, campers, runners and climbers are tomorrow's outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists," said Steve Rendle, President of The North Face and VF Outdoor Americas. "We are providing education, access and connection through ongoing events, funding and PlanetExplore-an online community that helps individuals and families discover local outdoor recreational activities.  Our goal is to get more people outside, having fun and exploring their world in ways that are meaningful to them."

The North Face announced details of the new program at the first-ever Outdoor Nation Youth Festival and Summit, held in New York City's Central Park. Organized by The Outdoor Foundation and presented by The North Face and a diverse group of partners, the two-day event combined outdoor activities and outdoor advocacy to raise awareness about the important role that the outdoors and recreational activities play in healthy, active lifestyles.

The Outdoor Nation Event brought together a delegation of  more than 500 young people from across the United States and parts of Canada to the champion the outdoors. Delegates were selected based on outdoor interest and a commitment to lead local, regional and national efforts that will reconnect youth and the outdoors. At the event, The North Face increased its initial investment to $250,000, and longtime partner The Conservation Fund offered a $50,000 matching grant to The Outdoor Foundation's own contribution, all of which will be used to support concepts generated by Outdoor Nation youth delegates. In addition, CamelBak announced a $5,000 contribution to the fund.

"We were extremely impressed by the delegates and all of their hard work throughout the weekend," Rendle said. "We secured the additional funds and made the announcement on-site. We wanted each of the delegates to know first-hand, and return to their communities knowing that we are behind them 100 percent."

Explore Fund applications are now being accepted online at www.explorefund.org. They will be vetted by a youth advisory council and issues experts in order to determine the most promising projects. Grants of up to $2,500 per project will be awarded in the fall. 

"This past weekend at Outdoor Nation we saw not only the first and largest, but most diverse gathering of young leaders in history," said Chris Fanning, Executive Director, The Outdoor Foundation. "We had young people from all of the United States and Canada investing their weekend to learn how to champion the outdoors-this is a huge testament to our youth's commitment to the outdoors and the outdoor revolution."

"Reconnecting young people with the outdoors is critical for the health of our population, our economy and our environment," said Larry Selzer, President and CEO, The Conservation Fund. "It's time for an Outdoor Revolution and we need young people to step up and lead.  Thanks to the Outdoor Foundation, The North Face and our many other partners, the delegates at the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit will be able to do just that."