Where Mentorship and Education Meet the Outdoors
Through outdoor adventures, we provide inner-city youth with the tools to build confidence, independence, and a healthy lifestyle. Join us in creating a lasting impact on our community.Building a Pathway to a Brighter Future.
Our mission at Cloud Nine Outdoors is to provide a program that helps inner city youth with mentorships in school and access to outdoor activities to keep them out of trouble, off the streets, and to see them advance in life.
Safe Environments
Cultivating growth in a safe space. We provide the security and mentorship young people need to explore the outdoors with confidence, ensuring every adventure is as safe as it is transformative.
Academic Mentorship
We don’t just hike; we help with homework. Our mentors partner with schools to provide the guidance, tutoring, and accountability students need to graduate.
Outdoor Access
We open the door to nature. From fishing to archery, we provide free access to outdoor experiences that might otherwise be out of reach for inner-city families.
Positive Choices
We replace idle time with adventure. Through structured activities and leadership training, we help youth develop the character and discipline to make better life decisions.
Life Advancement
Our goal is long-term success. Whether it is enrolling in college, learning a trade, or finding a career, we equip our alumni with the tools to rise.
We connect inner-city youth, at-risk teens, and single-parent families with the outdoors through hands-on mentorship and educational programs
For the past decade, Cloud Nine Outdoors has been more than an adventure club; we have been a catalyst for social change. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to provide transformative outdoor experiences that leave a lasting impact on the youth we serve.
Through mentorship, leadership education, and advocacy, we are not just taking kids outside; we are inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. I am proud to share that we have supported over 1,129 youth and their families through our leadership programs, outdoor adventures, and life-changing scholarships.
Upcoming Events
10 Year Celebration
Join Cloud Nine Outdoors for a special celebration of their 10-year anniversary featuring food, recognitions, and networking for honorary guest.
Camping Event
Trade the city lights for a cabin in the woods. An immersive overnight experience staying in Boyd Hill’s private cabins, featuring environmental stewardship, and team building under the stars.
6th Annual Sheepshead Tournament
Join us for our 6th Annual Sheepshead Tournament. With over $3,000 in cash payouts and a dedicated Youth Division where kids under 16 fish for FREE, it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds benefit Tampa Bay youth outdoor programs.
Fishing Education Event
Hooks, Lines, and Habitat. Join us for a hands-on clinic where the pier becomes the classroom. This event is designed to take students from novice to angler in a single day.
Faith Based Fishing
Join Cloud Nine Outdoors and Tampa Bay Flatts Fishing for Faith Based Fishing
Camping Event
Trade the city lights for a cabin in the woods. An immersive overnight experience staying in Boyd Hill’s private cabins, featuring environmental stewardship, and team building under the stars.
Faith Based Fishing
Join Cloud Nine Outdoors and Tampa Bay Flatts Fishing for Faith Based Fishing
Programs
Year Around
Each year we host up to 12 youth from Pinellas County and 5 youth from Hillsborough County in our year-round program. In this program, Cloud Nine Outdoors holds each youth accountable and focuses on the following:
- Monitor their grades
- Tutor and assist with schoolwork
- Provide them with a trip involving every aspect of Cloud Nine Outdoors
- Provide mentorship by taking them under our wings for an entire year.
97% of these students stay with Cloud Nine Outdoors year after year, up until they graduate from High School. Each High School Senior who has been enrolled for at least a year, receives a scholarship upon graduation.
Camping
The Camping program teaches youth how to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible while outdoors and/or camping.
This program covers:
- Outdoor safety
- Shelter building
- Making First-Aid Kits
- Starting fires in the woods
- Learning about animals, insects, and other wildlife
Angler
This program introduces youth and their family to our waterways, producing valuable lessons about our community’s water habitats.
All youth who are accepted into the Fishing Program will go out on a fishing charter/trip.
The following are examples of curriculum that is incorporated in this program:
- Different species of fish
- How to tie a fishing knot.
- How to bait a hook
- The different types of bait
- How to remove a fish from a hook
- How to clean a fish
- Legal requirements for ethical angling
All necessary gear will be provided to the youth and their parent(s) during the program. Upon successfully completing the Angler program, each participate will receive a rod and reel combo.
Over the course of the year, 200 youth and parent(s) will participate in a fishing workshop leading up to their fishing trip.
Outfitters
Archery
Our Archery program is now a mobile archery unit that we can travel to different locations and introduce youth to the use of a compound bow.
Harvesting
In our Harvesting program, we introduce our youth to the art of using a bow and crossbow. It is used to help our youth with focusing and relaxing. All youth who are accepted into our Hunting program will go out on a hog hunt in which we can process the meat and provide the food to the family.
Curriculum includes:
- Compound and Cross bow training
- Focusing on a target
- Benefits of hunting: Concentration, relaxation, and satisfaction
- Rules and regulations surrounding hunting.
Upon completion of this program, we take the youth and their parent(s) and embark on a guided hunting trip
Summer Days
Summer Days program includes many of the public events that help introduce new youth to the outdoors.
This program operates once a week between the summer months of June- August.
Activities include the following
- Fishing trips
- Archery trips
- Beach clean ups
- Hubbard’s Marina boat wash for community service hours
- Trips to the Florida Aquarium
Fishmas in July
In the month of July, we partner with local captains and provide half day fishing trips for youth and their families. During this time, participants have the opportunity to bond with their family and experience the outdoors. For some of these individuals, this is a once in a life time opportunity.
Real Adventure. Real Results
Our success isn't measured in miles hiked, but in lives transformed. By combining outdoor access with academic mentorship, we are helping Tampa Bay teens unlock their full potential and step boldly toward a future of leadership and opportunity.
Community Reach
123 adults and family members supported, bridging the gap between generations and the outdoors.
Active Mentorship
40 future leaders currently enrolled in our intensive, year-long leadership and development program.
Academic Success
11 recent graduates, including high school honors students attending college and or trade school.
Youth Empowered
1,129 youth introduced to the outdoors through fishing, archery, and hunting experiences over the last decade.
Chart a Course for Change
You don't need to be an outdoor expert to guide the next generation. Whether you give your time, your resources, or your voice, you are empowering the next generation of Tampa Bay leaders. Explore the ways you can make a difference today.
Donate
Invest in the next generation. Help us keep our programs 100% free for families, turning a simple donation into a lifetime of confidence and leadership.
Volunteer
Guide youth on hikes, teach skills like archery, or assist with event logistics. No survival expertise needed, just a passion for mentorship.
Sponsor
Align your brand with our cause. Sponsor a semester of programming or a signature event to gain visibility while funding our initiatives.
Partner
Collaborate on resources. We team up with schools for recruitment, outdoor brands for gear, and environmental agencies for stewardship projects.
Making a Difference Together
Transforming lives requires a team effort. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of the following sponsors and partners who make our programs, scholarships, and outdoor adventures a reality.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cloud Nine Outdoors?
Think of us as a classroom without walls. We are a Tampa Bay nonprofit that uses the outdoors to teach inner-city teens the skills they can’t learn from a textbook. Through 100% free adventures like camping, archery, and fishing, we combine the thrill of the wild with structured mentorship. This helps young people build the confidence and resilience they need to navigate their futures.
Who can participate in Cloud Nine Outdoors programs?
Our programs are open to youth ages [e.g., 13–18] living in the Tampa Bay area. While our primary mission is to serve inner-city and underserved teens, we welcome students from all backgrounds who are looking to build confidence and community.
Is there a cost to join?
No. Thanks to our generous donors and partners, all regular programming including gear, transportation, and food is provided 100% free of charge to our participants.
Are your volunteers background-checked?
Absolutely. Every volunteer, mentor, and staff member undergoes a comprehensive Level 2 background check and a rigorous interview process before working with our youth.
How can I stay updated on Cloud Nine Outdoor's work?
The best way to see our impact in action is to follow us on social media. We share photos and stories from the trail on Instagram, post upcoming community events on Facebook, and update our Website with major announcements and success stories.
How can I get involved with Cloud Nine Outdoors?
Whether you want to give time, money, or resources, there are several ways to make an impact:
Volunteer Your Time - We are always looking for supportive adults to guide our youth. You don't need to be an expert just a mentor who cares.
[Apply to Become Volunteer]
Donate - YSupport the mission with funds or gear. We accept tax-deductible financial gifts as well as new or gently used outdoor equipment to outfit our students.
[Give Funds]
Become a Corporate Sponsor - Align your business with a cause that matters. Sponsorship offers high visibility for your brand while directly funding our largest initiatives.
[Apply To Become A Sponsor]
Partner with us - We believe in the power of collaboration. We are looking for strategic partners to help expand our reach and resources.
[Apply to Become a Partner]
