Adventure in America's Backyard
Welcome to Blue Star Outdoors! This program empowers you to experience tranquility, community, opportunity, and belonging in outdoor spaces everywhere.
From a park locator tool to wellness resources, special programming and events, curated activity content, and connections to our partner organizations, we hope you find the resources and inspiration you and your family need to get outside and connect with nature — no matter where you are living or traveling!
Get Outside
Find your place in the outdoors while on your next trip, PCS adventure, or in your community using the many resources available.
Wellness and the Outdoors
Explore resources that connect you to the benefits of the outdoors – from boosting physical wellness to supporting mental health, and building community vitality.
Family Activities
Browse outdoor activities and adventures curated for families and school-aged children.
Preschool Activities
Access a monthly calendar of DIY outdoor activities for preschool children – generously provided by our friends at Tinkergarten.
Outdoor Explorers for All
Learn more about our Outdoor Explorers for All Program that is bringing families together as they experience the benefits of the outdoors.
Partner Organizations
Explore the work of our partner organizations that are on a mission to bring the outdoors to more military-connected families.
Stories of the Outdoors
Follow along on our adventures with new stories featuring outdoor exploration and connection.
Events
Equity & Inclusion in the Outdoors
Wellness and the Outdoors
Did you know that spending time outdoors is good for your health? The outdoors can support healthier brain function, decrease stress, boost physical activity and wellness, and increase overall well-being.
Read through stories that dive deeper into the value of the outdoors and explore the many benefits of activity and connection in nature.
Fostering Racial Equity in Outdoor Spaces for Military-Connected Families
In Partnership with REI Co-op
Every military-connected family deserves to find connection in the outdoors. That is why, at Blue Star Families, we are invested in developing a suite of outdoor programming that is diverse, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our military-connected community.
We acknowledge the historical exclusion of people of color in outdoor spaces and commit to doing the work to foster a sense of community and belonging for families of color in all of our outdoor program opportunities.
As we create connections with the land we inhabit, we recognize the hundreds of native tribes who are the traditional custodians and stewards and work to ensure that their presence, voices, and experiences are amplified and honored through Blue Star Outdoors.
The time is now to build more equitable adventures in the outdoors. Want to join forces on this mission?
Get Outside
The outdoors are waiting for you! Both state and national park organizations have made it easy to find public land and green spaces to explore, and our friends at Military OneSource offer a recreation locator to find affordable camping and recreation opportunities through the MWR.
As a military or Veteran family, you can also obtain your complimentary annual America The Beautiful Pass at most national park ranger stations and entry gates using your military ID.
While state and regional parks may have entrance fees, when you arrive at the gate, be sure to ask if there are military discounts, and keep an eye out for free entrance days.
Now, what are you waiting for? Find a park or outdoor experience near you!
Stories of the Outdoors
Celebrating Black Outdoor Leaders and Organizations
Celebrating Black Outdoor Leaders and Organizations By: Nicole Rawlinson, Blue Star Outdoors DEPLOY Fellow ‘Mirrors and windows’ is a phrase that often comes up in my line of work. What does it mean? It is a phrase that highlights the importance of diversity in the information and media we consume,…
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Blue Star Parks DEPLOY Fellow Welcomes All Military Families to See Themselves in New Roles and Places
Blue Star Parks DEPLOY Fellow Welcomes All Military Families to See Themselves in New Roles and Places Meet Nicole. She’s a Navy spouse, mom of two, and the Blue Star Parks program DEPLOY Fellow for Blue Star Families. As a degreed librarian, Nicole is passionate about being a steward of…
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Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd With Your Family!
Spring has sprung, and that means Earth Day (Thursday, April 22) is just around the corner! Did you know there were very few laws protecting the environment in the United States before the 1970s? The first Earth Day was organized on April 22, 1970, as a way of celebrating the…
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