January 3 at Lincoln South Rotary - Big Gumdrop Outdoors

Lincoln South Rotary Club heard from Elijah Riley and Kyndal Hudson of Big Gumdrop Outdoors on January 3, 2025.
Big Gumdrop Outdoors has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for only about 7 months. The organization is based in Lincoln and is dedicated to educating urban youth about nature.
 
They provide opportunities for hands-on activities that help youth become comfortable with nature and learn essential wilderness skills. They hope to inspire the next generation to explore what is out there and perhaps embark on a career in natural resources.
 
Their programs not only teach about nature, but also help with life skills such as:
Fishing - Teaching patience and technique by the water
Hiking - Exploring local trails and learning about ecosystems
Wildlife Identification - Learning to identify native plants and animals while exploring their natural habitats
Shelter Building - Learning essential survival skills
Cooking with Fire - Discovering outdoor cooking techniques
 
Elijah shared how Big Gumdrop Outdoors came about. As he was getting older, he found that his interests were not the same as many of his school friends. He learned about fishing from his Dad - and he loved it and that time outdoors. After a third knee surgery he realized that his football days were over. He searched for something that would be a good space for him. He turned back to the outdoors.
 
His family was not necessarily outdoor-oriented other than the few fishing trips with his Dad. He started to watch outdoor TV shows and, when h was old enough to drive, did his own exploring. Realizing that these experiences and resources were not necessarily readily available to urban youth - he was inspired to create Big Gumdro Outdoors.
 
Elijah shared that today's youth spend an average of 7.5 hours daily in front of a screen. They are disconnected from the natural world. Big Gumdrop Outdoors allows youth to feel comfortable and confident as they explore the unknown.
 
Increased social media use among children correlates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, inadequate sleep, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.
~ ~ Annie E. Casey Foundation 2024
 
Big Gumdrop Outdoor announcements started with social media and was slow to grow. But, in 2023 they partnered with the Clyde Malone Center for an 8-week program and got some attention and recognition.
 
Elijah and Big Gumdrop Outdoor were featured on 10/11 News, RFD-TV and UNL for the Engler program, Nebraskaland Magazine and the Lincoln Journal Star (which is where Lincoln South Rotary Club learned of the program).
 
In 2024:
Engaged over 3,800 youth
Facilitated 100+ hours of summer programming
15 program partners
20 community/ outreach events
 
Kyndal Hudson is an educator. She said she wanted to merge her skills as an educator with the outdoor opportunities. She had the opportunity to create an informal curriculum which she found challenging and rewarding. She shared photos and testimonials of the program participants.
 
Their goals in 2025 include expanding the school and community partners, boost fundraising and secure an office space.
 
 
 
 
 
Bio:

Elijah Riley is a 5th year student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Commutation and Entrepreneurship through the Engler Program. Elijah is a Lincoln native and graduated from Lincoln High School in 2020. While being a Nebraska native Elijah loves to travel the country and the world to learn from different cultures and ultimately to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of how we all fit into this world. Elijah is passionate about the outdoors, connection, and bridging gaps, thus why he founded Big Gumdrop Outdoors to bridge the access gap between urban youth and the great outdoors.