Blue Sky aims to provide meaningful outdoor experiences for school-aged children, with a strategic focus on Richmond’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.
We would love for every child across Richmond to experience our programs! Check out active locations below, and if your kids do not attend any of these schools or programs, contact us to express interest in starting a new club.
Elementary School
The Explorers program currently partners with the following Richmond Public Schools by providing outdoor experiential learning opportunities to over 2,000 3rd-5th grade students.
- Bellevue ES
- Chimborazo ES
- Fairfield Court ES
- Henry L. Marsh III ES
- Woodville ES
- Blackwell ES
- Miles Jones ES
- Oak Grove-Bellemeade ES
- Westover Hills ES
- Overby-Sheppard ES
- Ginter Park ES
- Swansboro ES
Middle School
We lead weekly Outdoor Adventure Clubs (OACs), working with about 150 middle school students from the following schools/programs:
- Anna Julia Cooper School
- Franklin Military Academy
- Martin Luther King Jr. Boys and Girls Club
- NextUp:
- Martin Luther King Jr. MS
- Henderson MS
- River City MS
- Thomas C. Boushall MS
High School
Blue Sky's capstone leadership program, the Outdoor Leadership Institute (OLI), is a year-long program. We recruit an intentionally diverse group of 20 students from high schools across the greater Richmond region to come together in the summer for an immersive, 5-day backpacking trip in Grayson Highlands State Park. During the following academic year, participants meet one Saturday each month to learn more about the Richmond community's needs and to get directly involved.