Our Story
In 2004, Blake Cazier and Stephanie Love co-founded Positive Energy Outdoors to provide opportunities for low and moderate income youth to experience people and animal powered outdoor activities. PEO is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
Each year, POE introduces thousands of people to world-class outdoor adventure activities in Duluth and on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Our incredible team has over 40 years of combined professional experience as outdoor educators.
Over the years, we have added to our programs and have enjoyed the support of many individuals, families, and organizations in our community. Our newest program launch is an after-school outdoor education program we call Adventure Club. We are fortunate to have so many gifted, highly qualified, and passionate leaders on our staff team and we are grateful to have the support and guidance of our wonderful board of directors.
In 2018 we adopted the slogan, “Unplug. Connect. Grow.” Our history, our mission, and the combined efforts of our directors, staff, board, and sponsors work every day to help people achieve an appreciation for the many benefits of outdoor adventures.
Thank you for participating in our public programs, which continue to provide crucial funding to help defray the direct program costs of the outdoor education experiences we provide for low-moderate income youth. Your adventure starts here!
Our Mission
Positive Energy Outdoors encourages people and animal powered exploration of the outdoors. Our programs emphasize teamwork, healthy risk-taking, and positive communication, creating learning opportunities that can lead to a lifetime of active adventures. Positive Energy Outdoors activities and educational methods emphasize:
Team Building
Creating increased opportunities to connect cooperatively with peers, family, community and mentors through interesting and challenging activities that set high expectations for participants.
Access
Providing unique physical activities that not all families, individuals, organizations or schools can provide or afford.
Experiential Learning
Offering meaningful participation in activities through a participatory learning approach that promotes interpersonal skills, life skills, healthy choices and positive risk-taking among participants.
Leadership/Volunteer Development
Creating leadership opportunities through participation, in-service projects and community events.