Bridge Outdoors at the Beth
How It Started…
The Bethlehem Center has served South Chattanooga for 103 years in ever-evolving ways by building lasting relationships with youth and families. Bridge Chattanooga, a program that began in 2017 to serve students in the Brainerd community, recently merged with The Bethlehem Center to become Bridge Outdoors at The Beth, increasing our capacity to connect students to nature, create adventure, and inspire joy across Chattanooga.
Bridge Chattanooga was initially inspired by the vision of Ryan Keller, a young man who wanted to break down barriers to nature and outdoor recreation, especially among middle and high school students in the BIPOC community as well as those experiencing economic hardship. Unfortunately, shortly after starting Bridge Chattanooga with a small team of friends and colleagues, Ryan died. His community was shocked, saddened, and determined to continue this work. Years later, Ryan is still deeply missed, but his legacy is alive and well through Bridge Outdoors at The Beth.
Bridge Outdoors' trauma-informed after-school adventures include hiking, biking, caving, horseback riding, climbing, land stewardship projects, swimming lessons, canoeing, paddleboarding, camping, and more. All programming is free to participants. In 2022, we started an Outdoor Leadership & Job Readiness Internship Program to connect high school students to job skills and resources during the summer months. More than 200 Bridge students have been served through more than 300 outdoor adventures within a safe, fun and welcoming community. We are looking forward to many more adventures during the 2023-2024 school year, including the addition of a mountain biking team!
Want to be a part? Please e-mail bridgeoutdoors@thebeth.org or contact Sarah Quattrochi at (423)653-0091 to learn more.
A special thanks to our partnering schools including Dalewood Middle School and Brainerd High School, as well as community partners at First Cumberland Presbyterian of Chattanooga, White Oak Bicycle Co-Op, Outdoor Chattanooga, Outshine Adventures, Lea Lane Farm, Chattanooga Zoo, Southeast Conservation Corp, and WeClimb. You make our adventures possible!
Adventuring together…
Student Testimonials
“If I can help out the nature, then I should be able to help others like myself. And I can’t wait to come back out here.”
“When I’m outdoors I feel like the nature and just like the way the outdoors looks, brings peace to my mind and calms me down.”
“It’s just like a different vibe and a different place to explore.”
“Coming out in the wilderness, it inspires me. Like helping out endangered plants, give animals their homes, give them where they’re supposed to be in their homes. As I’m helping them, it’s basically helping me become a better person.”
