The Great Outdoors, Locally Sourced
Some of Centre County’s most remarkable places are easy to miss.
A winding trail tucked behind a familiar road. A quiet stream hidden beneath a canopy of hemlocks. A rocky overlook that reveals miles of mountain ridges stretching toward the horizon. Many residents drive past these places every day without realizing they are there.
Ten years ago, ClearWater Conservancy set out to change that.
The organization had long worked to protect the region’s land and waterways, but conservation begins with connection. People are more likely to care for the places they know, but many residents had never explored the parks, forests, trails, and natural areas scattered throughout Centre County. Others wanted to spend more time outdoors but weren’t sure where to go, whether a trail matched their abilities, or whether they could explore safely on their own.
The answer became Centred Outdoors.
In 2016, a transformative $100,000 Centre Inspires grant from Centre Foundation gave ClearWater Conservancy the opportunity to bring a new idea to life. When Centred Outdoors officially launched its first season in 2017, it was built around a simple idea: if someone was willing to take the first step, a knowledgeable guide would take the next ones with them. Guided hikes, wellness programs, and outdoor activities would always be free, open to everyone, and designed to welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. The program also introduced participants to the organizations and volunteers working to protect the region’s natural resources, helping them understand that enjoying the outdoors and conserving it go hand in hand. A decade later, Centred Outdoors has become part of the rhythm of life in Centre County.
Since its launch, the program has hosted 430 events, introduced participants to 56 outdoor destinations, and welcomed 10,121 people on guided outings throughout Centre County and the surrounding region. Along the way, it has reached tens of thousands more through social media and its email newsletter, inspiring new visitors to discover nearby trails, parks, and natural spaces.
One participant described what those experiences made possible.
“Centred Outdoors’ Guided Outings provide me the opportunity to explore local outdoor sites, most of which I’d never be brave enough to explore on my own. I’m grateful for these opportunities to experience and learn more about our natural resources. With Centred Outdoors, I’ve climbed Mount Nittany, visited Galbraith Gap Trail and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, and even learned about the Gray’s Woods Preserve in my own backyard.”
The numbers reflect ten years of programming. Stories like this one reveal something deeper. Every guided outing introduces someone to a trail they never knew existed, a landscape they had overlooked, or a confidence they didn’t know they had. Over time, those experiences have helped foster healthier lifestyles, stronger connections to the community, and a greater appreciation for the lands and waters that define Centre County.
The Centre Inspires grant helped launch Centred Outdoors. Ten years later, its impact can still be found on the trails, in the forests, and along the streams where thousands of people have discovered that some of the best places to explore were waiting in their own backyard all along.