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North Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

SOS engages over 250 kids and teenagers annually from Incline Village, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Tahoe City, Tahoma, and Truckee while operating programs at Northstar, Palisades, Diamond Peak, and Mt. Rose. Our proven, multi-year curriculum focuses on mentorship, outdoor adventure, community service, skill building workshops and career development all year long.

Participant Spotlight

Emiliano first stepped into a pair of skis with SOS in 2014. Although he’s now switched over to snowboarding, his passion for helping others in SOS remains stronger than ever. “Emiliano is definitely a rockstar,” says North Lake Program Manager, Heather Schwartz. “He is a serious student in school, a committed soccer player, and he always shows up to program days with a positive attitude, desire to engage, and willingness to help.” As a Jr. Mentor, Emiliano served as a role model for younger SOS participants. His leadership skills, charisma, and all-around positive attitude embody so much of what SOS stands for. Emiliano is now attending collage at Swarthmore and using the skills learned in SOS to study engineering. Emiliano hopes to volunteer with SOS when he’s back home over school break. “It’s been such a pleasure to have Emiliano in our SOS community,” says Schwartz, “I’m so excited to watch him continue to grow and look forward to keeping him engaged in SOS”.

Youth Engaged Annually

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Get Involved

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Volunteer

Join our passionate community of volunteers and help make SOS’s mission a reality. Your contributions create positive change and a lasting impact on those you serve. But you’ll also find that volunteering with SOS will leave a lasting impact on you, too.

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Partner

From brand partners to local businesses, SOS Outreach leverages our partnerships to unite influential voices towards the movement of equity in the outdoor space. Together, we are able to change lives through the transformative power of the outdoors.

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Events

Experience guided excursions, inspiring speakers, and local community events with SOS Outreach. Our organization coordinates and participates in events to foster deep connections within our communities, fundraise, and support our mission.

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Donate

Your support matters, whether it’s through monetary or gear donations. With your help, we’re expanding our efforts to connect over 3,000 youth with an encouraging and supportive community that sets them up for success far beyond the mountains.

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Careers

At SOS Outreach, working for us means more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. Join our passionate team, dedicated to building a brighter future for our youth through outdoor activities and mentorship.

FAQ

What is the minimum age requirement to participate in SOS Outreach?

SOS works with youth who are in 4th grade or higher.

My child doesn’t have any winter sports or outdoor gear. Can they still participate in SOS programs?

Absolutely! SOS has a vast inventory of jackets, snow pants, goggles, gloves, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, and anything else necessary for hiking and camping. For our introductory program, all equipment and winter clothing is provided if your child needs them. As the youth progress into the mentoring program, we continue to provide all winter clothing, and there are options to purchase ski/snowboard equipment at very discounted rates.

Is there a cost for students to participate in SOS's programs?

Yes, there is a fee for service to participate in SOS’s programs. The fee covers a portion of program expenses, and with support from our corporate sponsors and generous donors, SOS Outreach covers the remainder of the necessary expenses. Contact your local program contact for pricing details.

How do youth qualify for SOS programs?

We work with youth who face disadvantages due to factors such as their address, socioeconomic status, and other similar challenges. Our participants are optimistic, resilient, and motivated to work hard. They may not have the same access to resources and information that many of us had, which prepared us for adult life. We look at risk factors such as poor school attendance, low grades, speaking English as a second language, exposure to drugs and alcohol, involvement with the court system, and low household income. In general, we recruit participants dealing with at least two of our risk factors. Check out our Participant Assessment Form to see if your child is eligible for our programs.