Who We Work With

We provide outdoor experiences for Alberta youth who face barriers to participation.

We partner primarily with youth from across Alberta—most often from Calgary and the surrounding area—who are navigating complex life circumstances. Many are connected with group homes, community sentencing programs, or other community-based supports, both within and beyond formal systems of care. For many of the young people we serve, outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, or backcountry travel has not been accessible. Some have never had the opportunity to spend extended time in nature. All bring strengths, resilience, and untapped potential—and can benefit from the connection, confidence, teamwork, and self-awareness that emerge through shared mountain experiences that gently stretch comfort zones in a supported and empowering way.

We use youth-first language intentionally. “Youth at-risk” recognizes that risk is not inherent to the young person, but reflects the systemic, social, and economic barriers they may be navigating. In our work, we focus on youth who face barriers to access and opportunity when it comes to outdoor experiences—whether in the backcountry or at car-accessible campgrounds. These barriers may include involvement in social services systems, financial constraints, systemic inequities, or cultural and newcomer experiences that limit familiarity with or access to the outdoors. Our aim is to reduce those barriers and create inclusive, welcoming pathways into nature.

We also collaborate with organizations beyond youth-serving agencies. In the past, this has included addiction treatment and recovery programs that support diverse populations. If you are unsure whether your group aligns with our mandate, we welcome a conversation to explore fit and possibilities.

Organizations we’ve worked with

Crossing the Divide Experience partners with a broad range of organizations that support youth facing barriers to access and opportunity, as well as organizations serving other communities navigating complex life circumstances. A select list of recent partners includes: