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PREPARED TO THRIVE. FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CLIMBING WALL, WE EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS, THE CONFIDENCE, AND THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

the recreation project

prepares young people to thrive through outdoor adventure and transformative play. We host the only not-for-profit ropes course and outdoor adventure center in Uganda. Our 5-acre forest is home to a 30 meter climbing wall, low and high ropes course, and more! In our forest, there is no child too small, no dream too big, and no challenge too impossible.

the problem

Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of population under the age of 30. Children in poor and middle income countries, like Uganda, have experienced 10% more trauma by the time they are 14 than the average adult in the United States experienced in their entire childhood. Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, have been proven linked to serious health risks later in life including increased risk of chronic disease as well as early pregnancy, HIV, and substance abuse. Additionally, ACEs prevent children from reaching their full potential. This means that Sub-Saharan Africa could not only be the youngest population on the planet, it could be the most traumatized. Failing to prevent and treat the effects of adverse childhood experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa means that a generation of young people will be ill-prepared to thrive—to be healthy, productive, and fulfilled.

the solution

It has been shown that there are two highly effective interventions to prevent and treat the impact of adverse childhood experiences: positive relationships and experiences that build resilience. Our program offers both. Our programs focus equally on providing space and support for young people to build positive relationships with mentors, families, and peers and to nurture their resilience through transformative experiences. Our vehicle is outdoor adventure and play. Play theory and outdoor adventure education are both founded in creating space for healthy relationships and developing skills for success in a safe environment that simulates real world experiences. The Recreation Project’s life skills and psychosocial development program is designed to provide four primary elements: trusted mentors, networks of support, transformative experiences that stretch participant’s comfort zones, and opportunities to succeed and fail and the tools to process both.

our story

The Recreation Project’s 5-acre outdoor adventure center is located outside of Gulu town in northern Uganda. The Recreation Project was founded to provide active healing experiences to former abductees returning home after a decades-long conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda. Since then, northern Uganda has transitioned from post-conflict recovery to a rapidly developing society. TRP has transitioned with it. We now work with young people of all backgrounds — from children in conflict with the law to students at the best schools in the region — to help them develop necessary life skills through outdoor adventure and play.