How Outdoor Experiences Reduce Youth Loneliness | YMCA Bold & Gold

As youth loneliness rises, YMCA’s Bold & Gold program builds belonging, leadership, and connection through outdoor experiences. 

At a time when youth loneliness and disconnection are a growing public health concern, the YMCA’s Bold & Gold program is helping young people build the connection, confidence, and life skills they need to thrive. National research has found that young people in outdoor programs develop stronger “Skills for Thriving” than peers in non-outdoor programs, with especially strong gains for boys and Latine youth.

Bold & Gold is a YMCA program supported by a national team that works alongside YMCAs across the country to bring outdoor leadership experiences to youth in their communities. Through wilderness experiences and outdoor adventure, young people build confidence and connection while discovering what they’re capable of — together.

Through shared challenge, reflection, and meaningful time with peers and mentors, the program fosters a deep sense of belonging many young people are missing.

A recent CDC report found that only 58.5% of U.S. teens said they always or usually receive the social and emotional support they need. Teens who do receive that support are less likely to report anxiety or depression symptoms, poor sleep, and very low life satisfaction. The U.S. Surgeon General has also warned that loneliness and social isolation can harm young people’s mental health and well-being.

Programs like Bold & Gold offer a different path — one where young people build connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging through shared experience in the outdoors. Research suggests that access to connection and mentorship can be particularly meaningful, especially for some groups of youth. A RAND report found that many boys and young men lack an adult male they can turn to for support with school, relationships, or future plans, underscoring the value of relationship-based youth programs like Bold & Gold.

“When I came back home, my friends told me I seemed different — more confident, more grounded. I now want to volunteer with the YMCA and help other young people experience the same transformation I did. This program didn’t just teach me outdoor skills; it taught me how to trust mysel.” - Bold & Gold participant from 2025

The research behind outdoor learning is especially encouraging. In The Nature of the Outdoors: Stronger Youth Development Through Exploration, researchers found that youth in outdoor programs showed stronger growth than peers in non-outdoor programs across measures including self-management, social skills, academic self-efficacy, and contribution – with especially strong gains for boys. The report also found that outdoor programs create more opportunities for authentic engagement, exploration, and peer bonding — experiences that help young people form stronger relationships and greater confidence.

“At the heart of Bold & Gold is the belief that young people grow through challenge, connection, and reflection,” said Sarah Sutherland, Bold & Gold National Director. “When young people step outside their comfort zones with support, they don’t just build confidence — they discover who they are, how to lead, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

In recognition of this impact, the Bold & Gold National Team was   selected as a recipient of the American Camp Association’s Character at Camp Grant Program, a competitive national initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. The award recognizes our network of programs that are intentionally fostering character development, belonging, and positive youth growth. Through this work, Bold & Gold programs across the country are strengthening how young people practice courage, self-awareness, and community mindedness in real time, experiences that carry into school, relationships, and their broader lives.

Locally, the YMCA of Greater Seattle BOLD & GOLD program brings these experiences to young people across the region, helping participants unplug from screens, connect with nature, and build meaningful friendships while practicing leadership in a supportive community.  At a time when many boys are navigating loneliness or disconnection, these experiences offer a powerful opportunity to build connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

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