Using outdoor adventure sports like paddling, camping, cycling, hiking, and rock climbing, Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT) works with Chicago children, youth, young adults, and families to have a lasting positive impact on their communities and become healthy adults by teaching effective social skills and strong leadership skills, increasing participants’ sense of possibility, and fostering a sense of empowerment and personal responsibility.

Over the years we have lost many family members, friends, and participants to gun violence. By getting young people out of their neighborhoods and off the streets, we are removing folks from harm's way and introducing them to alternate pathways for their lives. We also provide free Family Adventures for families affected by gun violence, as a way to honor or memorialize those we have lost.

We have five types of programs:

Core Programming
We collaborate with youth-serving organizations to offer outdoor adventure experiences for their clients. Through our collaborative efforts, we empower participants to embrace the outdoors, build resilience, and cultivate valuable life skills.

Family Adventures
We offer unforgettable outdoor experiences for our young participants and their families at absolutely no cost. Families are invited to join us for a rewarding journey where they can bond, grow, and create lasting memories together.

Community Festivals
We bring the adventure to you. Our team sets up at parks, block parties, and other community events, providing gear for hands-on experiences and answering any question you may have.

Adventure Communities
 CAT Adventure Communities was created to ensure that youth participants, regardless of their involvement status with partner organizations, maintain access to outdoor adventure experiences. We bring together youth from various backgrounds across the city of Chicago to build community and hone their outdoor adventure skills.

After School Programming
We offer on-site sessions for outdoor education, nature reflections, and skill-building activities.