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 mountains accessible to those who are usually excluded. In collaboration with social structures, it organizes immersion stays for people in situations of extreme precariousness. In twelve years of existence, the association has allowed more than 1,500 beneficiaries to discover summits, share a night in a refuge, and get initiated into alpine disciplines, such as climbing or glacier progression.

Thanks to an exceptional network of volunteers, including climbers and high mountain guides, these stays are organized in many mountain ranges, particularly in the northern Alps. For participants, climbing a summit is often the realization of a dream. Beyond the physical challenge, these moments foster deep 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 momentum in their life journey.

The association has made the unique choice to call its participants "vacationers." This term is preferred over "trainee" or "beneficiary" as the primary objective is to offer a real week of vacation, a necessary time for rest and breathing. Although the stays are athletic and require self-transcendence, they take place without any performance requirements. It is primarily about offering unconditional access to the great outdoors and verticality, thus providing a moment of dignity and freedom.

The 82-4000 Solidaires project rests on three fundamental pillars: altitude, beauty, and verticality. Altitude allows one to gain height physically and symbolically. The beauty of wild places, far from human impact, fosters calmness and wonder. Finally, the initiation to verticality offers vacationers the chance to feel commitment and momentum, strong sensations that permanently transform their view of the world and themselves.

To support the 82-4000 Solidaires Association, it's just 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 to adulthood by preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. Since its creation, the organization has chosen not to confine itself to a 'neighborhood' identity but to break down barriers between territories. Initially open to all young people from Seine-Saint-Denis, it now addresses the entire youth of Île-de-France, without age or profile restrictions, in order to welcome and support the greatest number of possible journeys.

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

The project has evolved by integrating the founders' passion for outdoor sports. By offering outdoor activities, the association allows young people to move beyond the usual stigmas associated with urban or combat sports. This openness to travel and the natural environment is a direct response to a daily life often marked by the omnipresence of concrete. By sharing this access to nature, not only with young people but also with families, the Apart association provides an essential tool for personal development, well-being, and flourishing for 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 the largest number. Based in Occitanie, its mission is to break the isolation of people with disabilities by enabling them to engage in outdoor activities. Its approach is based on mixing and "doing together", bringing together able-bodied individuals and people with disabilities around common sports and human projects.

The association's actions are primarily articulated around two areas of activities tailored to the needs of its members. The "Shared Mountain" area is aimed at individuals with motor or sensory disabilities. Thanks to the use of specific equipment like the Joëlette (a one-wheeled all-terrain wheelchair), the ski chair, or adapted snowshoes, both able-bodied and disabled individuals traverse paths and summits together. In this configuration, each participant contributes to the success of the stay according to their physical abilities, creating a true dynamic of solidarity.

The second area, titled "Adapted Leisure", is dedicated to welcoming adults with intellectual disabilities. The association offers here multi-activity stays, fun and educational, supervised by professionals in special education and volunteers. The aim is to provide a break for holidays and well-being where personal development and discovery of the environment are prioritized, always within a safe and caring framework.

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" at the heart of nature.

To support the Umen association, just click here, thank you!

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

The Our Summit Association

Our Summit is a Francilian association based in Sevran, whose mission is to democratize access to outdoor sports (hiking, climbing, mountaineering) for residents of popular neighborhoods. Founded in 2023 on the initiative of its president Aché, the collective seeks to break down 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 promotes the personal development of participants but also proposes a new imagination of nature, seen and documented by the youth from the neighborhoods.

The collective advocates strong values of inclusion, diversity, and "doing together." By organizing regular events, such as "gourmet hikes" or thematic outings in the Forest of Fontainebleau and elsewhere, the association creates a genuine network of solidarity. It offers its members, often newcomers to these disciplines, a safe and friendly environment to resume physical activity, discover unknown landscapes of Île-de-France, and reclaim a sense of belonging to the natural environment.

Beyond sporting practice, Our Summit positions itself as a lever for social and professional integration. By collaborating with recognized brands in the outdoor sector, the association enhances the transversal skills developed during challenges in nature, such as resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. It thus proves that mountains and wide-open spaces are accessible fields of success for everyone, regardless of their background or initial technical expertise.

To follow the association: the Instagram account.

The Mountain Wilderness Association

Mountain Wilderness is a leading organization whose mission is to defend the uniqueness, beauty, and wild character of the mountains. Founded in 1987 at an international level 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 great spaces.

The actions of the association revolve around three main axes that address current environmental challenges. The first aspect consists of protecting natural areas, notably by fighting against artificialization and the development of heavy infrastructures in pristine zones. Mountain Wilderness also encourages respectful sporting practices through its campaign 'Changing Approach', which values soft mobility and public transport to reach the mountains. Finally, the association works to amplify the transition of territories by guiding local actors towards more sustainable and less 'ski-centric' economic models.

To achieve its goals, Mountain Wilderness deploys a wide variety of action modes. It advocates with political decision-makers and sits in numerous official bodies to voice environmental concerns. On the ground, it organizes dismantling projects of obsolete installations (such as abandoned ski lifts) to restore landscapes to their natural state. The association also employs public awareness and, when necessary, legal action to enforce mountain protection laws.

The organization of Mountain Wilderness France relies on a collaborative structure where employees and volunteers work together within thematic working groups. Thanks to a network of local branches and delegates, the association remains closely connected to the realities of each mountain range. By promoting citizen participation and networking with other nature protection organizations, it ensures that its fight for a 'wild and livable mountain' resonates sufficiently to sustainably evolve 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 Alpine Outdoor Club Association

Founded on August 30, 2022, and based in Annecy, the Alpine Outdoor Club is an association dedicated to making the benefits of outdoor sports, such as trail running and hiking, accessible to as many people as possible. 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 threefold approach: social, sporting, and sustainable. The social aspect aims to include young people who are distanced from mountain activities, particularly those from priority neighborhoods or in situations of precariousness (such as migrant groups), through awareness workshops and inspiring experiences on the field. On the sporting side, the club has created a trail academy that offers high-quality coaching for 13- to 18-year-olds, combining exploration of the environment with preparation for international competitions.

The organization revolves around two major programs supplemented 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 certified experience workshops. In 2024, the academy had 6 athletes who had already achieved podiums in prestigious races like 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 Alpine Outdoor Club is committed to a long-term approach. The association also uses cultural media to spread its message, such as the documentary film 'The Free Summits', 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 their sense of belonging to the community.

To follow the association: the Instagram account.