Positive Adventures
Positive Adventures National Headquarters, 4901 Morena Blvd, Suite 307, San Diego, CA 92117
About
Positive Adventures offers outdoor experiences that include hikes, rock climbing, skits, and a Surf Camp. The program uses adventurous experiences, service learning, and environmental stewardship as part of its activities for students.
Positive Adventures describes itself as California's premier experiential education company and provides outdoor education, leadership development, and team building opportunities to schools across the country. The organization takes student groups to coastal, mountain, and desert regions throughout the Western U.S., including national parks, state parks, residential camps, and retreat centers. Program locations include Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bear, Idyllwild, the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Barbara, San Diego Surf Camp, Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro State Park, Pinnacles National Park, Big Sur State Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite National Park, the Santa Cruz coastal redwoods, Point Reyes National Seashore, El Pescador Beach Program, Lake Mead & Hoover Dam, Escalante & Glen Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Positive Adventures states that its mission is to provide school partners with unique opportunities that create a platform for student growth, personal achievement, and education through experiential learning. The organization highlights core values that include Family First, Efficient Excellence, Purposeful Programming, Constant Stoke and Community Do-Gooding, and Sustainability expressed as “Preserve, Conserve, CHANGE.” It offers purposeful programming where youth learn how to work in community, build self confidence, and understand their emotions, along with hands-on environmental service learning and custom program design for all grade levels.
Positive Adventures was founded by Ryan Shortill in 2004, and Jered Cherry joined as operating partner in 2007. Ryan and Jered have built the organization over the last two decades, and Positive Adventures now employs over 35 Outdoor Educators and provides programming for over 5000 students per year. Jered Cherry is a University of New Hampshire Outdoor Education graduate and has an extensive background in risk management, building curriculum, and developing staff.
The organization states that it prioritizes acknowledging, appreciating, and learning about the indigenous groups of each area where programs are guided. Staff honor the ancestors, present-day members, and future generations of these groups by discussing with students the importance of reconciliation and respect. Positive Adventures also notes that it utilizes service learning and environmental stewardship in its work with schools across the country.
Schools describe their experiences with Positive Adventures in several ways. The Buckley School reports that leaders were excellent and organized, and that the schedule, activities, and logistics were well thought out, with a Day 1 check-in that helped chaperones feel prepared. Pilgrim School notes appreciation for the way staff handled the closing ceremony and comments on staff’s empathy and ethics. Equitas Academy highlights hikes, rock climbing, and skits as impactful moments that gave scholars chances to discover inner strengths, talents, and their voice. Oxnard School District reports that students benefited in areas such as perseverance, communication, collaboration, personal independence, and self-esteem, and that students new to hiking came to enjoy the experience. Journey School states that goals of team building, uniting students as a group, and making great memories were met. Lennox Academy notes that students enjoyed themselves and stepped out of their comfort zone to try new things. Idyllwild School reports that Positive Adventures was flexible, listened to what the school wanted, and adapted the program rather than using a fixed format. Kirby School describes the program as thoughtfully planned, with a balance of structured and unstructured activities, many chances to build community and connection outdoors, and distinct moments for socio-emotional growth and reflection. San Francisco Day School states that Positive Adventures plans great activities and leaves a lasting impression about Leave No Trace ethics, supporting each other, and respecting the land.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
Positive Adventures describes itself as California's premier experiential education company and provides outdoor education, leadership development, and team building opportunities to schools across the country. The organization takes student groups to coastal, mountain, and desert regions throughout the Western U.S., including national parks, state parks, residential camps, and retreat centers. Program locations include Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bear, Idyllwild, the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Barbara, San Diego Surf Camp, Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro State Park, Pinnacles National Park, Big Sur State Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite National Park, the Santa Cruz coastal redwoods, Point Reyes National Seashore, El Pescador Beach Program, Lake Mead & Hoover Dam, Escalante & Glen Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Positive Adventures states that its mission is to provide school partners with unique opportunities that create a platform for student growth, personal achievement, and education through experiential learning. The organization highlights core values that include Family First, Efficient Excellence, Purposeful Programming, Constant Stoke and Community Do-Gooding, and Sustainability expressed as “Preserve, Conserve, CHANGE.” It offers purposeful programming where youth learn how to work in community, build self confidence, and understand their emotions, along with hands-on environmental service learning and custom program design for all grade levels.
Positive Adventures was founded by Ryan Shortill in 2004, and Jered Cherry joined as operating partner in 2007. Ryan and Jered have built the organization over the last two decades, and Positive Adventures now employs over 35 Outdoor Educators and provides programming for over 5000 students per year. Jered Cherry is a University of New Hampshire Outdoor Education graduate and has an extensive background in risk management, building curriculum, and developing staff.
The organization states that it prioritizes acknowledging, appreciating, and learning about the indigenous groups of each area where programs are guided. Staff honor the ancestors, present-day members, and future generations of these groups by discussing with students the importance of reconciliation and respect. Positive Adventures also notes that it utilizes service learning and environmental stewardship in its work with schools across the country.
Schools describe their experiences with Positive Adventures in several ways. The Buckley School reports that leaders were excellent and organized, and that the schedule, activities, and logistics were well thought out, with a Day 1 check-in that helped chaperones feel prepared. Pilgrim School notes appreciation for the way staff handled the closing ceremony and comments on staff’s empathy and ethics. Equitas Academy highlights hikes, rock climbing, and skits as impactful moments that gave scholars chances to discover inner strengths, talents, and their voice. Oxnard School District reports that students benefited in areas such as perseverance, communication, collaboration, personal independence, and self-esteem, and that students new to hiking came to enjoy the experience. Journey School states that goals of team building, uniting students as a group, and making great memories were met. Lennox Academy notes that students enjoyed themselves and stepped out of their comfort zone to try new things. Idyllwild School reports that Positive Adventures was flexible, listened to what the school wanted, and adapted the program rather than using a fixed format. Kirby School describes the program as thoughtfully planned, with a balance of structured and unstructured activities, many chances to build community and connection outdoors, and distinct moments for socio-emotional growth and reflection. San Francisco Day School states that Positive Adventures plans great activities and leaves a lasting impression about Leave No Trace ethics, supporting each other, and respecting the land.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
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