Outlandish! FAQ

Empowering LGBTQIA+ youth in nature & fostering stewardship of the outdoors

Is outlandish! a therapy program?

Outlandish! is not a therapy program. Though we are a core program at Queer LifeSpace, it is not meant to serve as formal therapy for the participants. However, participants are welcome to enroll in therapy if they so choose.

Do you plan private trips?

Yes! Does your school have a Gay/Straight Alliance or other related group? Are you part of a queer youth organization? We can definitely work with you to plan a private trip. Please reach out to Max at msovine@queerlifespace.org for more information.

is parental/guardian permission required?

Yes, if the participant is 17 and under, we will email a waiver that needs to be signed by both the participant and the parent/guardian of the participant.

where do we meet up/drop off?

For most trips that involve leaving the city, we will be meeting here in Balboa Park. If there is a different meetup spot or if the trip is happening in an urban area, the meetup location will be listed on the Upcoming Trips page.

can my parent/guardian come on the outing?

Certainly! Please let staff know ahead of time. You can email Max at msovine@queerlifespace.org.

i’m an lgbtqia+ youth going on a trip. can I invite my straight-allied friends?

Yes! Youth who are allies and supporters of their LGBTQIA+ friends are welcome. And youth who are Questioning (aka exploring whether or not they are LGBTQIA+) are also welcome.

What kinds of activities will happen on these outings?

The outings will primarily consist of hiking, but we will also include periodic conservation projects such as trash pickup and light trail work, in addition to activities such as fishing, gardening, and water sports. There will be games, icebreakers, facilitated discussions, and ecology lessons.

What sort of equipment will the participants need?

• A backpack (like a day pack or school-sized backpack)

• Sturdy shoes (no flip flops)

• Water bottle

• Packed lunch and snacks (we will be able to provide some supplemental snacks)

• Sunblock

• A jacket or extra warm layers (An example of layering could include a t shirt, a fleece or warm hoodie, a light jacket like a rain jacket or wind breaker, and possibly a warm hat—that Bay Area fog can roll in very quickly!)

• Rain jacket (if the forecast calls for rain)

• Any personal medications (the young adult must be responsible for taking their own medications as prescribed)

Where will the outings happen?

We are so fortunate to have amazing outdoor recreational areas here in the Bay Area! Some of our trips will go to the Marin Headlands, Muirwoods, Mt. Tam, the Oakland Hills, Roy’s Redwood Preserve, and possibly further afield for longer day trips.

How many outings a month will there be?

We aim to host 1-2 day long outings per month, on Saturdays.

How much does an outing cost?

We believe that every young adult should have access to the outdoors, regardless of their background. Thus, we have an optional sliding scale donation of $0 to $40. Your donation is greatly appreciated, and it will help ensure the program remains accessible to youth from all walks of life. If you aren’t able to donate currently, no worries—all are welcome to attend for FREE!

does your program have wheelchair-accessible outings?

There are many great locations in the Bay Area with wheelchair-accessible pathways. We must know at least three weeks ahead of time if someone with a wheelchair will be signing up for a day trip so we can make transportation arrangements.

how many outings can a youth participate in?

As many as she/he/they/etc. would like! However, please keep in mind that the available spots are limited, and we want to make sure that every interested youth gets an opportunity to go on at least one outing per year.

how many participants go on an outing?

We generally have openings for up to 15 participants. We may be able to grow that number in the near future!

In the event that more than 15 young adults sign up for an outing, we will have a waitlist.

what is the adult/youth ratio on an outing?

We plan for 1 adult for every 5 young adults. Each adult chaperone must fill out an application and be willing to submit to a criminal background check. We recruit adults based on their experience and enthusiasm for working with youth in the LGBTQIA+ community.

How can I get involved?

We also appreciate any efforts to get the word out about our program, other Queer LifeSpace programs, and Queer LifeSpace as a whole. We would be happy to send you materials such as fliers and articles to share with your community. Please reach out to Max at msovine@queerlifespace.org if you are interested.

how is outlandish! funded?

Mostly by donations! The program is one of several youth service offerings at Queer LifeSpace, a mental health non-profit based in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. We rely on the support of our community to make this all happen.

If you are interested in supporting us, please make a tax-deductible donation. The donation goes towards helping queer youth get outside to enjoy this spectacular natural world that we live in. Thank you!

More questions?

Please contact Program Director and Founder, Max Sovine, at msovine@queerlifespace.org.

More Resources

Here are more articles exploring the importance of queer representation in the outdoors as well as the benefits of time spent outside.

How Queer Groups Are Finding Their Spaces In the Great Outdoors

How LGBTQ People are Breaking Down Barriers to Take on the Great Outdoors

Queering the Earth, and Earthing the Queer: A Radical Conversation

Mental Health Benefits of Outdoor Adventures: Results From Two Pilot Studies

Ecotherapy Benefits All Humans

Ecotherapy: the Benefits for Young People

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