Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) Programs
Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH), PO Box 59035, Chicago, IL 60659
About
Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) Programs offers a wide range of activities that include outdoor adventures such as hiking, backcountry camping, tent camping, cabin camping, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, whitewater rafting, river tubing, skiing (alpine and cross-country), snow tubing, snow shoeing, ziplining, and high and low ropes challenge courses. Participants take part in sports and recreation like biking (mountain, BMX, trail), swimming, bowling, ice skating, roller blading, scootering, trampoline jumping, miniature golfing, frisbee golf, gaga ball, 9-Square, corn hole/bean bag toss, obstacle courses, crate stacking, slacklining, and rowing (crew). The program also includes activities such as archery, surfing, horseback riding, capoeira, yoga, nature and science museum visits, theatre visits and tours, coding, college tours, improv skits, storytelling, public speaking and advocacy, advocacy training, and a variety of nature-based and science activities like creek wading, macroinvertebrate investigations, water quality inventories, habitat assessments, forest restoration, river clean-ups, gardening projects, farm chores, nature art, nature scavenger hunts, night hikes, fort building, campfire building, indoor and outdoor cooking, pumpkin picking, corn maze challenges, butt surfing, snow snake game, teambuilding, tent assembly, and top-rope and bouldering climbing.
REACH’s first pilot project was launched in summer 2015, and REACH became an official nonprofit in January 2016. The organization’s founder is Shana Wills. REACH’s mission is to inspire leadership, academic success, and connections among refugee youth through active dynamic learning outside the traditional classroom. REACH is recognized as a 501c3 tax exempt nonprofit organization.
The programs include experiential learning focused on STEAM education and adventure sports for refugee youth and their families, with outdoor education opportunities and connections for refugee youth at high risk for academic failure, social isolation, school bullying, and other issues. REACH emphasizes ecotherapy and the healing impact of the outdoors, focuses on building leadership, academic success, and social-emotional learning supports, and offers programs that develop awareness and a sense of stewardship for public lands among newcomer populations. Its integration programs are described by UNHCR as essential for helping refugees find belonging and build connections, and the organization offers peer mentor visioning and training sessions and youth leaders trained, along with activities that include both outdoor adventure and practical science and research skills.
REACH collaborates with local partners and has partnerships with organizations including the Middle Eastern Immigrant & Refugee Alliance (MIRA) and Friends of the Chicago River, works with 23 referring agencies, and has 136 partnerships. One youth participant described REACH as a place to belong and a home to connect with people from many parts of the world, sharing meals, laughter, love, and care. A partner organization, the Middle Eastern Immigrant & Refugee Alliance (MIRA), stated that it has been proud to partner with REACH since its founding and described REACH as providing programming that has made a difference in refugee youths’ self-esteem, connections, communications, and comfort with new experiences.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
REACH’s first pilot project was launched in summer 2015, and REACH became an official nonprofit in January 2016. The organization’s founder is Shana Wills. REACH’s mission is to inspire leadership, academic success, and connections among refugee youth through active dynamic learning outside the traditional classroom. REACH is recognized as a 501c3 tax exempt nonprofit organization.
The programs include experiential learning focused on STEAM education and adventure sports for refugee youth and their families, with outdoor education opportunities and connections for refugee youth at high risk for academic failure, social isolation, school bullying, and other issues. REACH emphasizes ecotherapy and the healing impact of the outdoors, focuses on building leadership, academic success, and social-emotional learning supports, and offers programs that develop awareness and a sense of stewardship for public lands among newcomer populations. Its integration programs are described by UNHCR as essential for helping refugees find belonging and build connections, and the organization offers peer mentor visioning and training sessions and youth leaders trained, along with activities that include both outdoor adventure and practical science and research skills.
REACH collaborates with local partners and has partnerships with organizations including the Middle Eastern Immigrant & Refugee Alliance (MIRA) and Friends of the Chicago River, works with 23 referring agencies, and has 136 partnerships. One youth participant described REACH as a place to belong and a home to connect with people from many parts of the world, sharing meals, laughter, love, and care. A partner organization, the Middle Eastern Immigrant & Refugee Alliance (MIRA), stated that it has been proud to partner with REACH since its founding and described REACH as providing programming that has made a difference in refugee youths’ self-esteem, connections, communications, and comfort with new experiences.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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