Associations in the outdoor world

One aspect of outdoor culture often remains in the shadows: that of associations that open the doors of nature to the most disadvantaged. This is why I have chosen to present to you today six organizations that are particularly close to my heart.

The 82-4000 Solidaires Association

Since 2012, the 82-4000 Solidaires Association has been actively advocating for the right to leisure and is committed to making high-altitude environments accessible to those who are typically excluded. In collaboration with social structures, it organizes immersion stays for people in situations of severe hardship. In twelve years of existence, the association has enabled more than 1,500 beneficiaries to discover the summits, share a night in a shelter, and initiate themselves in the disciplines of mountaineering, such as climbing or glacier travel.

Thanks to an exceptional network of volunteers, including climbers and high mountain guides, these stays unfold in many massifs, particularly in the northern Alps. For participants, climbing a summit is often the realization of a dream. Beyond the physical challenge, these moments encourage strong encounters and create bonds based on sharing, trust, and solidarity. This collective experience allows many to become aware of their own potential and regain a new impetus in their life journey.

The association has made the unique choice to call its participants “holidaymakers.” This term is preferred over “trainees” or “beneficiaries” because the primary goal is to offer a true week of vacation, a necessary time of rest and breathing. Although the stays are sporty and require personal challenge, they take place without any performance expectations. It's primarily about providing unconditional access to the great outdoors and verticality, thus offering a moment of dignity and freedom.

The 82-4000 Solidaires project rests on three fundamental pillars: altitude, beauty, and verticality. Altitude allows for both physical and symbolic elevation. The beauty of wild places, far from human impact, fosters calmness and wonder. Finally, the introduction to verticality offers holidaymakers the chance to feel commitment and momentum, intense sensations that permanently transform their view of the world and themselves.

To support the 82-4000 Solidaires Association, just click here, thank you!

To follow the association: the website, the Instagram account.

The Apart Association

For over twenty years, the Apart association has been supporting young people in their journey towards adulthood by preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. From its inception, the organization chose not to confine itself to a "neighborhood" identity but to break down barriers between territories. Originally open to all young people in Seine-Saint-Denis, it now addresses the entire youth of Île-de-France, without age or profile restrictions, in order to welcome and support as many diverse pathways as possible.

The philosophy of Apart is based on the concept of autonomy and empowerment, illustrated by its historical project "Nothing Without Nothing." The central idea is to educate young people to mobilize themselves and not to wait for external solutions to succeed. To attract and unite this audience, the association uses appealing mediums, particularly hip-hop culture in its early days, such as the creation of self-managed music studios, thus fostering a spirit of resourcefulness and initiative.

The project has evolved by incorporating its founders' passion for outdoor sports. By offering outdoor activities, the association allows young people to break free from the usual stigmas associated with urban or combat sports. This openness towards travel and the natural environment is a direct response to a daily life often marked by the overwhelming presence of concrete. By sharing this access to nature, not only with young people but also with families, the Apart association provides an essential personal development tool for the growth and well-being of its beneficiaries.

To support the Apart association, it's just here, thank you!

To follow the association: the website, the Instagram account.

The Umen Association

Since 2001, the Univers Montagne Esprit Nature (UMEN) association has been working to make rural and mountainous areas accessible to as many people as possible. Based in Occitanie, it has made it its mission to break the isolation of people with disabilities by allowing them to engage in outdoor activities. Its approach is based on inclusivity and "doing together", bringing together able-bodied individuals and people with disabilities around common sports and human projects.

The association's activities are primarily organized around two poles tailored to the needs of its members. The "Shared Mountain" pole is aimed at people with motor or sensory disabilities. Thanks to the use of specific equipment such as the Joëlette (a one-wheeled all-terrain wheelchair), the ski wheelchair, or adapted snowshoes, both able-bodied and disabled individuals traverse paths and peaks together. In this setup, each participant contributes to the success of the stay according to their physical abilities, creating a genuine dynamic of solidarity.

The second pole, called "Adapted Leisure", is dedicated to welcoming adults with intellectual disabilities. Here, the association offers multi-activity stays that are playful and educational, supervised by specialized education professionals and volunteers. The goal is to provide a holiday and well-being experience where personal development and environmental discovery are prioritized, always in a safe and caring environment.

Beyond organizing stays, UMEN puts its expertise at the service of territories and communities. It acts as a consultant to improve the accessibility of natural spaces and offers technical training, particularly in piloting the Joëlette. By acting on the ground and with institutions, the association works sustainably to break down the barriers of disability and promote "living together" in the heart of nature.

To support the Umen association, it's just here, thank you!

To follow the association: the website, the Instagram account.

The Our Summit Association

Our Summit is an association based in Île-de-France, located in Sevran, with a mission to democratize access to outdoor sports (hiking, climbing, mountaineering) for residents of underprivileged neighborhoods. Born in 2023 from the initiative of its president Aché, the collective aims to break the psychological and geographical barriers that often separate dense urban areas from natural and mountainous spaces.

The originality of the association lies in its multidisciplinary approach, blending sports and artistic expression. By integrating photography, drawing, or video into its outings, Our Summit transforms each hike into a space of creativity. This method not only fosters the personal development of participants but also offers a new imagination of nature, seen and documented by the youth of the neighborhoods.

The collective promotes strong values of inclusion, diversity, and

The Mountain Wilderness Association

Mountain Wilderness is a reference association whose mission is to defend the specificity, beauty, and wild character of the mountains. Founded in 1987 on an international scale and in 1988 for its French section, this movement refuses to see the summits reduced to mere economic resources or amusement parks. Its philosophy, rooted in the “Theses of Biella,” advocates for an approach to the mountains based on freedom, responsibility, and respect for natural balances, so that future generations can also experience the silence, solitude, and authenticity of vast spaces.

The association's action revolves around three main axes that address current environmental challenges. The first component consists of protecting natural spaces, particularly by fighting against artificialization and the development of heavy infrastructure in pristine areas. Mountain Wilderness also encourages respectful sports practices through its campaign “Changing Approach,” which promotes soft mobility and public transport to reach the mountains. Finally, the association works towards amplifying the transition of territories by guiding local actors towards more sustainable and less ski-dependent economic models.

To achieve its goals, Mountain Wilderness deploys a wide variety of action modes. It conducts advocacy work with policymakers and sits on numerous official bodies to represent the voice of the environment. On the ground, it organizes dismantling projects of obsolete installations (such as abandoned ski lifts) to restore landscapes to their natural appearance. The association also utilizes public awareness and, when necessary, legal action to enforce mountain protection laws.

The organization of Mountain Wilderness France is based on a collaborative structure where employees and volunteers work together within thematic working groups. Thanks to a network of branches and local delegates, the association remains close to the realities of each mountain range. By promoting citizen participation and working in partnership with other nature protection organizations, it ensures that its fight for a “wild and livable mountain” resonates enough to sustainably change mindsets and public policies.

To support the Mountain Wilderness association it’s just here, thank you!

To follow the association: the website, the Instagram account.

The Club Outdoor Alpin Association

Founded on August 30, 2022, and based in Annecy, the Club Outdoor Alpin is an association that aims to make the benefits of outdoor sports, such as trail running and hiking, accessible to the greatest number of people. Its central ambition is to generate a positive social impact by promoting the development of youth, coexistence, and "living together" through sports practice in the mountains.

The association's action is based on a three-pronged approach: social, sporting, and sustainable. The social aspect aims to include young people distanced from mountain practices, particularly those from priority neighborhoods or in precarious situations (such as groups of migrants), through awareness workshops and inspiring experiences on the ground. On the sporting side, the club has created a trail academy that offers high-quality coaching for 13-18 year-olds, combining exploration of the environment and preparation for major international competitions.

The organization revolves around two major programs complemented by occasional initiatives. The "Club Program" targets athletes of all levels and supporters through regular outings (social runs) and community events. The "Academy Program" is divided into several groups: a performance group for young competitors, an adventure group for discovery, and certification experience workshops. In 2024, the academy had 6 athletes who had already reached the podiums in prestigious races such as the Mont-Blanc Marathon or the YCC of the UTMB.

Supported by partners like Adidas TERREX and labeled "IMPACT 2024" by the National Sports Agency, the Club Outdoor Alpin is engaged in a long-term approach. The association also uses cultural supports to convey its message, such as the documentary film "Les Sommets Libres", which highlights the impact of this initiative on the lives of young members. Through these actions, the club seeks not only to improve the physical condition of participants but also to enhance their self-confidence and sense of belonging to the community.

To follow the association: the Instagram account.