Our Story

In 2018, Detroit Outdoors reactivated the Scout Hollow campground in Detroit’s Rouge Park. This space, currently the only campground in the city, had been idle for over a decade. Spanning 17 acres of thick woods with 5 acres of grassy meadows nestled inside, Scout Hollow provides a camping experience for local youth that is close to home, while still feeling immersed in a natural space.

Beginning that same summer of 2018, we began offering 2-day, 1-night Camping Leadership Immersion Courses (CLIC) held at Scout Hollow for adult leaders who work with youth. Upon completion of this course, adults would have access to our gear lending library and the ability to reserve Scout Hollow for their youth groups. In the first 2 summers of operation, we trained 84 adult leaders and hosted over 480 youth camping overnight at Scout Hollow. 

The summer of 2019 saw the addition of direct service work with youth, through the addition of the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Bold & Gold program. Aimed at connecting youth to multi-day backcountry trips, Bold & Gold focuses on leadership development and community awareness while utilizing the outdoors as a classroom. 

Through the Bold & Gold initiative Detroit Outdoors was able to introduce youth to activities outside of camping like canoeing and kayaking. From there, we have continued to explore and provide opportunities for youth to engage in other outdoor adventures such as skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, rock climbing, and mountain biking.