City Project 2022 Recap

It's not always easy to get outside or to find people who want to go outside with you. In 2022, we started the City Project to bring people together with a shared love of the outdoors. Here's a look at how it went.

A look back at 2022

City Project leaders

In June, we selected eight amazing people to lead our seven chapters across the country. We picked these individuals because of their excitement for the outdoors, interest in getting outside with other people, and desire and experience to build community. 

City Project events

While some of our City Project community building happens online through Discord, each leader hosted several events to bring together local community outdoors. From people who just moved to an area looking for friends to hike with to long-time pals who were stoked to meet new buds and get out of the city, the City Project community came together outdoors! 

The Ohio group went hiking, did yoga, and tried paddling in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. West Texas had brunch and did outdoor family yoga, and Chicago climbed and went on a bike packing trip at Illinois Beach State Park! Oklahoma City wandered around a nature center, Denver hosted a hike, and LA had a beachside bonfire and hike! Oakland has hosted a handful of events, from visiting Presidio Tunnel Tops to attending a bluegrass festival and hiking to a swimming hole.

Several events were changed or moved due to weather (California rain?! Texas heat?!) and others were postponed to make some exciting changes. We are so stoked about our 2022 events and can't wait to share some upcoming gatherings. If you're near Oakland, CA, consider attending Dana's Full Moon night hike on January 6, 2023!

#EveryoneOutside City Project films

We worked with Tommy Cory and Brave Space Media to create five beautiful films featuring our founders and several Founding City Project Leaders. The films share why our Founding Leaders wanted to be part of the City Project and why the Outbound Collective was created. 

Watch the films to learn how and why Lindsey shares land acknowledgements, Matt finds community in urban nature, Jahmicah and Heather seek healing and peace outdoors, and why Kevin values spending time outside with his daughter.

Changes for next year

We have learned a lot in 2022 about online community building and getting people excited about going outside. In 2023, we're looking at making some exciting updates that make it easier to be virtually involved with the City Project. 

We're planning to open up opportunities to add more City Project chapter leaders in new places, and we'll continue working with our amazing founding leader team to grow and improve. 

Want to join the City Project? Click here.

Thank you!

Thank you to our amazing Founding City Project Leaders: Matt Moy (Chicago), Lindsey Wyckoff (Ohio), Kevin Abernethy (Oklahoma City), Heather and Jahmicah Dawes (West Texas), Dana Kwitniki (Oakland), Kat Calvin (Los Angelos), and Morgaan Walters-Schaler (Denver) for growing with us this year. We love your enthusiasm, honesty, and abilities to spread the stoke!

Thank our amazing partners HOKA, KOA, Coleman, Eddie Bauer, and Gregory for their support of the City Project! These awesome brands and their staffs have shown up to events, brought rad prizes (like products and branded swag), and provided assistance wherever we have asked. We are so grateful to work with companies that align with our goal to foster accessible communities in the outdoors!