Expanding Access to the Outdoors
Creating life changing outdoor experiences for youth who rarely get the chance to explore beyond their neighborhood.
At Hoods to Woods, we believe the outdoors should feel welcoming and accessible to every young person. Since 2009, we have been creating opportunities for youth from underserved communities to experience snowboarding, camping, and the kind of time outside that many never get growing up.
Creating life changing outdoor experiences for youth from underserved communities through snowboarding, camping, and mentorship.
- Transportation so youth can get to the mountains and outdoor spaces
- Gear access so cost is never the reason a kid sits out
- Programs that pair outdoor experiences with mentorship
Hoods to Woods was founded by Brian Paupaw and Omar Diaz, two Brooklyn natives who grew up understanding how limited access to outdoor spaces could be. What began as a single snowboarding trip has grown into a program that now serves more than 125 youth each year, removing the barriers that keep so many kids from participating.
For many of the young people we serve, these experiences are completely new. A first ride up a mountain. A quiet moment outside the city. The confidence that comes from trying something unfamiliar and realizing they can do it.
As we move through 2026 and into 2027, Hoods to Woods is expanding our programming to reach more youth and deepen our impact. Alongside snowboarding, we are growing our outdoor offerings to include overnight camping experiences that allow kids to slow down, connect with nature, and build lasting memories together.
Your support makes these experiences possible. Donations help remove the practical barriers that stand between young people and the outdoors, allowing us to continue offering programs at no cost to families.
Make a gift today and help a young person experience the outdoors.