By Lauren Keller
This article is part of our Generation Wild Storytelling series, celebrating the people who make Generation Wild communities so special.
Every day at Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), we see young people rise to challenges with courage and curiosity. Whether they’re climbing their first rock wall or educating younger students about the health benefits of being outdoors, ELK youth are proving that the next generation of environmental leaders is already here. They teach us valuable lessons about perseverance, showing us what resilience, determination, and hope look like in action.
But they can’t do it alone. Our planet and our communities are changing fast, and so are the opportunities available to young people. In a time when federal funding cuts threaten youth programs and when the contributions of people of color in environmental history are being erased, gaps in access, representation, and belonging are widening.
Enter ELK. For nearly 30 years, ELK has inspired young people from underrepresented communities in far-northeast Denver to discover their strengths, connect with nature, and lead with purpose. Even when resources are limited, our mission has always been about creating opportunity and supporting young people’s growth — because our environment, our communities, and our future depend on it.
The Challenge: Disparities in Access and Representation
Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to nature, science education, or leadership opportunities. For example, parks in majority-BIPOC neighborhoods are, on average, half the size and five times as crowded as those in white neighborhoods (Source: The Trust for Public Land: The Heat Is On). Outdoor recreation doesn’t always feel like a space where everyone belongs, and that message, whether spoken or unspoken, can echo for generations.
At the same time, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, female, and LGBTQ+ students generally remain underrepresented in STEM and environmental fields at every level, from middle school through careers (Sources: Columbia University: LGBTQ+ in STEM: Fostering Inclusion and Resolving Disparities Using Demographic Data; Gallup: STEM Gender Gaps Significant Among Gen Z; Pew Research Center: STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic Diversity; U.S. National Science Foundation: Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities; U.S. National Science Foundation: Representation of Demographic Groups in STEM). Without visible role models, it’s all too easy for young people to feel like environmental science and conservation aren’t for them. But without these youth — when entire communities are disconnected from nature — the environmental movement loses critical voices, perspectives, and innovations.
However, when young people feel included, encouraged, and inspired through organizations like ELK, everything changes. As one ELK parent shared: “Thank you, ELK, for believing in us. For showing us that nature is not just a place to explore, but also a place to heal, grow, and to find our purpose. You are planting hope. You are growing leaders. You are building generations of young people who are committed to caring for our land, our birds, our rivers, and all the wildlife that makes Colorado such a special place.”
The ELK Family: Building Leaders Through Connection, Joy, and Perseverance
ELK’s approach is built on connection, belonging, and opportunity. Through outdoor recreation, science education, and career exploration, we support youth — especially those historically excluded from environmental spaces — in discovering their potential and their place in nature.
At ELK, we often talk about the ELK Family: the community of youth, caregivers, mentors, educators, and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we create spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and capable of making a difference. We make sure all our youth and families can participate fully by providing transportation, gear, clothing, food, and instruction — everything they need to enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably. Beyond that, we offer scholarships and ongoing mentorship into higher education and environmental careers. ELK youth have maintained a 100% high school graduation rate, far exceeding Denver’s average of about 80%. That’s a testament to the power of the supportive ELK Family.
Our future depends on having youth who care about the environment and who are inspired and equipped to lead in their communities. Through programs like school-based science lessons, year-round environmental exploration, and hands-on professional development, ELK gives young people, and the adults who support them, a place where they can be part of the solution.
Our programs — ranging from after-school field trips to family camping trips to summer employment opportunities — do more than educate; they inspire and transform. Outdoor adventures spark wonder and belonging. Mentorship builds confidence and leadership. Educational opportunities open doors to STEM and natural resource careers. ELK youth go on to become park rangers, educators, scientists, and advocates, carrying forward a sense of responsibility and joy.
One ELK mom shared her family’s journey:
“About 15 years ago, I reached out to ELK … At the time, I was a single mom, and my kids ranged from elementary to high school, and I really wanted to teach my kids how to survive in the wild and to learn how to take care of the environment and to do fun things here in Colorado safely ... And sure enough, now my family loves to fish and go on hikes and white-water raft, and we go skiing, and we know how to compost and garden. And not only that – since my kids were so young, ELK taught them how to do mock interviews for their first jobs and how to do their college resumes, and they went on to go to college — all four of my kids — and I am currently in college at 47.”
Her family’s story is a powerful reminder that when young people and families are supported, perseverance becomes possibility.
The lessons learned through ELK continue to ripple outward, inspiring new leaders. One ELK youth, now pursuing engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, described the impact this way:
“Environmental Learning for Kids has been an essential part of my journey, not only in education but in personal growth and purpose. Without ELK, I would not be where I am today. The support, guidance, and genuine care I have received from the ELK staff, my second family, has been a constant source of strength and encouragement … I feel more determined than ever to use my voice and my career in engineering to uplift my community and advocate for environmental justice.”
Even in the face of funding uncertainties and systemic barriers, ELK continues to persevere — because our youth deserve these opportunities, and because the world needs their leadership now more than ever.
Join Us in Persevering for the Future
The path forward is one we build together. At Environmental Learning for Kids, we know that access, mentorship, and community can transform lives and that, when given the chance, young people rise to protect the places and people they love.
Join ELK in ensuring every young person – no matter their background or income – has the chance to explore, learn, and lead. Become part of the ELK Family by visiting the ELK Education Center, joining a program or community event, volunteering your time or expertise, or giving to sustain and expand ELK’s programs. Learn more at elkkids.org.
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Lauren Keller is the Impact Communications Manager for Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), a Generation Wild of the Northeast Metro Coalition partner. She is passionate about sharing the wonder of the natural world with everyone. Lauren graduated from Colorado College with a BA in Environmental Studies in 2021 and recently completed an MA in Conservation Biology through Miami University’s Global Field Program. In her rare free time, you can find her photographing wildlife, soaking up the sun, or cooking new foods with friends.