Outdoor Program

What we Do

We use nature exposure as therapy for all kinds of folks. Spending time in the lush forests, rugged coastlines, and serene mountains of the Pacific Northwest offers profound health benefits. Immersion in green spaces reduces stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, while boosting mood and mental clarity. Just two hours a week outdoors can improve focus, creativity, and cognitive function. Physical health thrives too—natural environments encourage movement, lower blood pressure, and support heart health. Forest air is rich in phytoncides, compounds that strengthen immune function, and exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep cycles. Whether hiking among towering evergreens or listening to birdsong near a quiet stream, connecting with nature in this region promotes overall well-being, resilience, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.  

A group of eight people standing outdoors in a forested area with tall trees and blue sky, smiling for a photo.

Wilderness and Outdoor Program

Group of four people hiking in a forested area near a waterfall, with fallen leaves and dense greenery around.

What to Expect

The LGS Outdoor Program goes into nature weekly with peer support. Our excursions into the PNW are every Sunday and Monday from 10am to 5pm and range from easy to moderate hikes. We’ve journeyed into the mountains, gone bird watching, trail management, coast trips, water falls, sunset hikes with many more adventures to come. We have a wonderful time socializing but also catch some quiet moments for reflection and wonder.  

Our Previous Adventures

Flyer for L.G.S. outdoor program, 'Coast Trip,' at Heceta Head Beach on Sunday, January 25th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring an illustration of a person on rocks with a wave crashing behind, instructions to bring lunch, water, and warm layers, age
An outdoor event flyer for L. G. S. Outdoor Program featuring illustrated animals around a campfire, and a detailed artistic drawing of a campfire in a forest, with text about the event and instructions for participants.
Flyer for a snowshoeing event at Gold Lake Snow Park from January 18-19, 2026, 10 am to 7 pm, with illustration of a person snowshoeing near a mountain range.
A festive flyer advertising the Tour de Lights event on December 21 and 22 from 3:45 PM to 6:30 PM. The flyer features holiday string lights at the top and bottom, a circle of colorful lights around the event date, and invites participants to ride wi
Flyer for Bocce Ball event at Dorris Ranch organized by L.G.S. Outdoor Program. Features a colorful illustration of a person in green clothing holding a bocce ball, with event details including date, time, location, and instructions.
Flyer for an event about horse shoes at Kirk Park, scheduled for Thursday, January 8th, from 11:45 am to 5 pm. The flyer features illustrations of a person with their arm raised and a horse shoe, with details about the event and instructions to bring
A poster for an outdoor recreation club presenting every Thursday at noon during January 2026, with illustrations of a disc, horseshoe, and basketball, detailing activities like disc golf, horseback riding, basketball, and wilderness education.
Flyer for an outdoor event on January 4th and 5th, 2026, about constructing burners from wax and cardboard to use as warmers or stoves. The flyer features black-and-white photos of a rolled piece of cardboard and a can with a shell. It has instructio
Flyer for a Star Wars-themed event called 'Star Wars Day' at the Storybook Land, with details about the date, time, age group, and activity, featuring a snowflake, a spaceship, and a space-themed design.
Flyer for a hiking event at Hike Alsea & Green Peak Falls, taking place on December 7th and 8th from 10 am to 5 pm. The flyer features illustrations of a hiker, backpack, GPS, lantern, and canned soup, with a dark green background and beige text.
Flyer for a Silver Falls Hike event on December 14th and 15th from 10 am to 5 pm, with meeting at LGS, for ages 13 and up, featuring an illustration of three hikers with backpacks climbing a trail alongside a waterfall and trees, clouds, and birds in
Flyer for outdoor fitness program titled 'Sunset on the Butte' with a sunset landscape photo, meeting details, schedule, and items to bring.
A promotional flyer for a winter trip to Heceta Head Beach on the Oregon Coast, scheduled for November 23 and 24 from 10 am to 5 pm. The flyer includes a photo of a lighthouse and coastal scenery, with decorative snow and ice elements.
Flyer with a campfire at dusk on a mountain landscape, promoting a campfire cookout event at Brice Creek on November 9 and 10, 2023, for ages 13 and up.
Hiking event poster for Trestle Creek Falls, scheduled for November 2nd and 3rd from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Participants advised to bring lunch, water, appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. The hike is considered moderate.
  • Scenic view of a large body of water with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky at sunset or sunrise, with trees and bushes in the foreground. One of many views participants enrolled in the Live. Grow. Share. Peer Run outdoor program.
  • A small waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks in a lush forest with tall trees and clear sky. From Live. Grow. Share. Outdoor Program adventures connecting participants enrolled in our Peer run mental health programs connected to the outdoors.
  • Mushroom growing on forest floor surrounded by fallen leaves and greenery, with yellow and white fungi nearby.
  • Pink coral fungus growing on forest floor among moss, twigs, and pine needles, with moss-covered logs and trees in the background.
  • Close-up of a large, brown, slimy earthworm on green moss with pine needles.
  • Hiker walking on a narrow dirt trail through a dense forest of pine trees with ferns and green vegetation.
  • Close-up of a green moss or lichen with numerous small beige or pale pink mushrooms growing on its surface.
  • A small waterfall flowing down a mossy rock face into a shallow river in a forest with tall trees.
  • A close-up of two wild mushrooms growing on a forest floor among fallen leaves and twigs.
  • A person standing on rocks in a shallow stream in a lush, green forest with moss-covered rocks and fallen logs.
  • A foggy mountain landscape with large rocks and a lone, leafless tree in the background.
  • Sunrise over a mountain landscape with evergreen trees and a sea of clouds.
  • Pink coral fungi growing among green leaves and moss on forest floor.
  • A mushroom growing on the side of a tree trunk in a forest, with a light-colored cap and a curved stem.
  • A spider web attached to leafless branches of a bush, with a dark background and reflections of trees and sky.
  • Waterfall in a forest with sunlight shining through trees and ferns.
  • A single yellow/orange maple leaf caught on a thin, bare branch floating on dark water.
  • A yellow and white mushroom growing on the forest floor among green leaves, pine needles, and soil.
  • Close-up of a mushroom growing on a tree trunk in a forest.
  • A cloudy, foggy beach scene with trees on the left and distant rocky islands in the background.
  • A group of hikers walking through a lush green forest trail surrounded by tall trees and ferns.
  • Five people stand in front of a waterfall during a rainy day in a forest. They are dressed in outdoor gear, some with hoods up, and appear to be hiking or exploring.
  • Group of four people sitting inside a bus, smiling at the camera. They appear happy and are dressed casually, with some tattoos visible. There are seats and windows visible in the background, and the people are seated in a relaxed manner.
  • Four people sitting around a picnic table on a grassy area near the coast, with a rocky hill in the background and bushes behind them, some with cups and snacks, enjoying outdoor leisure.
  • A waterfall flowing over rocks in a forested area with moss-covered rocks and lush green trees.
  • A small crab on wet sandy beach with a dark reddish-brown shell.
  • A person with a backpack taking a photograph of a cave or large opening in a rock formation, next to a waterfall in a lush forest.
  • Coastal scene with sandy beach, rocky formations in the ocean, green hills, pine trees, and a house with a red roof on the hillside under a blue sky with clouds.
  • A cluster of white daisy flowers with yellow centers growing in green grass.
  • A camouflaged frog with black and tan markings blending into the grass and plants.
  • Mountains surrounding a lake with calm water, some green bushes in the foreground, cloudy sky overhead.

Meet the Team

A man wearing sunglasses, a beanie, and a jacket, outdoors with trees, a fence, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Elliot Morgan, PSS

Position/Program: Restwell House Peer Support, Wilderness and Adventure Program

Pronouns: He/Him

3 favorites: my girlfriend. my instruments. my backpacking kit.

Outside of work: I write and play music, go backpacking, visual art, archery, attending the cinema.

Interesting?  I'm stupid tall and I play in a band with four published albums from current and previous projects, I manage a music Venue and a team of 22 folks.

I work for LGS because: People in need deserve to be given help that works. I believe in new strategies for healing. An outdoor program is a great way to feel positive and gain relief. LGS is such an exciting pioneer in therapy! I am very excited about it. 

Services
Services
About Us
About Us
Team
Team
Get Started
Get Started