Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)

What Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) does

The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) is a U.S. nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1993 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon. AORE serves outdoor recreation professionals and educators across higher education institutions, military outdoor programs, for-profit outdoor businesses (guides, outfitters, retailers, manufacturers), nonprofit outdoor organizations, and individual professionals/students — a working community of more than 600 active members. Its mission centers on advancing the outdoor profession through professional development, networking, industry advocacy on public lands access and permitting, and stewardship/DEI initiatives, and it operates as the collective voice of the human-powered outdoor recreation sector in interactions with public land managers.

AORE's product portfolio is structured around a tiered membership model (Student Supporter $30, Supporter $30, Student Professional $105, Professional $160, Organization $525, Vendor $800, and AORE 365 premium partnership at $10,000 for a two-year commitment), complemented by the annual Outdoor Professional Conference, the peer-reviewed Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL), virtual education (webinars, Learning Lab Peer Cohorts, Risk Management training via Viristar), a Career HQ job board, an Awards Program (BIG 4 and Values Awards), an Equity Challenge, an Inclusive Summit, message boards, a vendor directory, a Pro Deals program, and an online store. Delivery runs through a MemberLeap-based membership portal (mms.aore.org) and the public aore.org website, alongside owned channels including the 'Advancing the Outdoor Professional' podcast, a Weekly Digest email newsletter reaching 4,000+ contacts, and a combined social media presence of approximately 9,9K accounts.

Revenue is generated from membership dues (recurring subscriptions), conference registration and exhibit/sponsorship sales, transaction-based job board and event postings, advertising in newsletters and social channels, sale of publications and merchandise, donations, and paid training partnerships (Viristar risk management, Justice Outside equity cohorts). AORE is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Lee Davis (appointed January 2026); the organization operates with a small staff of approximately 8 employees and depends on a volunteer/mentorship network for program delivery.

Name

Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)

Legal name

Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education

Website

https://aore.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) is a U.S. nonprofit professional membership association serving more than 600 outdoor recreation professionals and educators across higher education, military, nonprofit, and for-profit programs. It delivers tiered memberships, an annual conference, peer-reviewed research (JOREL), job board services, and industry advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (71132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

School, University & NGO Outdoor Programs (Curriculum/Program Delivery) (THAAAOAD), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Outdoor recreation
• Professional association
• Outdoor education
• Industry membership
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individuals and organizations ranging from $30 (Student Supporter/Supporter) to $10,000 (AORE 365 premium tier). Membership categories include Student Professional ($105), Professional ($160), Organization ($525), Vendor ($800), and AORE 365 ($10,000 two-year commitment).
2. Annual Conference & Events: Revenue from Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC) including registration fees, booth opportunities, sponsor exhibit space, and conference merchandise. Conference newsletter ads ($450 per ad, $1,500 for 4 ads) reach 4,000+ contacts weekly during conference season (August-October).
3. Job Board & Advertising: 30-day job postings at $199 per posting, with optional social media add-ons ($99-$396). Event calendar postings at $49 per post. Social media post boosts at $149 reaching 9.9K accounts. Weekly Digest ad space ($250-$1,500).
4. Publications & Resources: Sale of educational resources including Outdoor Program Administration textbook ($30) and Permitting For Organized Groups guide ($10).
5. Outdoor Champion Membership: Sliding scale membership at three levels: Level 1 ($50), Level 2 ($75), Level 3 ($100). Designed for outdoor enthusiasts across different activities and interests.
6. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting student/professional development, conference attendance, research projects, and professional development grants and scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) is a professional association serving outdoor recreation and education practitioners. Its core offerings center on membership, professional development, networking, and industry resources for individuals and organizations working in outdoor recreation and education.

Product overview

The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) operates as a membership-based professional association rather than a technology product company. The organization's offerings consist of a multi-tiered membership structure (Student Supporter, Student Professional, Professional, Organization, Vendor, AORE 365) combined with programs and services including the annual Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC), the peer-reviewed Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL), virtual education and webinars, the Career HQ job board, Awards Program (BIG 4 Awards and Values Awards), Equity Challenge anti-racism program, Risk Management Training (via Viristar partnership), Pro Deals discount program, Message Boards forum, Vendor Directory, and an Online Store. Newer offerings include the Outdoor Champion Membership tier and the Inclusive Summit. These programs are delivered through the MemberLeap membership management platform and do not constitute a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Outdoor Champion: A sliding-scale membership tier for outdoor enthusiasts, advocates, and professionals with Level 1 ($50), Level 2 ($75), and Level 3 ($100) options.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 600 outdoor recreation professionals, enthusiasts, and students active as members
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ViristarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAORE partnership with Viristar for Risk Management for Outdoor Programs Training. AORE members receive 20% discount on the $649 course (five live video-conference sessions plus independent work). Jeff Baierlein, Director of Viristar and past Executive Director at Outward Bound USA, serves as trainer. Course provides critical knowledge of best practices in outdoor program risk management and meets key outdoor safety standards.
• Responder AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAORE partnership with Responder Alliance offering AORE members a 15% discount on online training courses. Partnership promotes resilience and stress management training for outdoor professionals. Joint podcast episode featuring Josie McKee, Director of Operations and Communications at Responder Alliance, discussing burnout and traumatic stress injury management.
• Justice OutsidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAORE partnership with Justice Outside for Learning Lab Peer Cohorts and monthly webinar series. Learning Labs are immersive, practice-based equity-centered sessions for outdoor and environmental leaders (Q3 cohort: $400 early bird, $500 full price). Webinars cover topics including safety planning, staff retention, program evaluation, inclusivity, and board recruitment with 'pay what you can' pricing.
• Leave No TracecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting in 2025, AORE became a partner for Leave No Trace trainings. AORE will help in the education that will aid in protection and conservation of beloved outdoor spaces through training partnerships.
• Everlast ClimbingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEverlast Climbing is a vendor member of AORE, demonstrating commitment and support for the advancement of outdoor recreation and education. The company manufactures climbing walls and hand holds for educational and youth-serving facilities.
• Alpenglow EducationminorOthersAlpenglow Education is listed as a partner/grow resource on AORE's website, providing educational content and programs for outdoor professionals.
• Black Diamond EquipmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlack Diamond Equipment appears as a vendor member in AORE's vendor directory, showcasing their commitment to supporting the outdoor recreation and education industry.
• Diversify OutdoorsminorOthersAORE features Diversify Outdoors on its DE&I page as an organization working in the outdoor space to support underrepresented communities in outdoor recreation.
• Latino OutdoorsminorOthersAORE features Latino Outdoors on its DE&I page as an organization connecting Latino communities with outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities.
• Melanin Base CampminorOthersAORE features Melanin Base Camp on its DE&I page as a resource supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color in outdoor recreation.
• Native Women WildernessminorOthersAORE features Native Women Wilderness on its DE&I page as an organization empowering Indigenous women through wilderness experiences and leadership.
• Out There AdventuresminorOthersAORE features Out There Adventures on its DE&I page as an organization providing outdoor opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community.
• Outdoor AfrominorOthersAORE features Outdoor Afro on its DE&I page as the leading organization connecting African Americans with outdoor experiences and nature.
• Outdoor AsianminorOthersAORE features Outdoor Asian on its DE&I page as an organization connecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with outdoor experiences.
• Inclusive Outdoors ProjectminorOthersAORE features Inclusive Outdoors Project on its DE&I page as an organization dedicated to making outdoor recreation more accessible and inclusive.
• Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL)coreOthersJOREL is a collaborative effort between AORE, the Wilderness Education Association (WEA), and Western Kentucky University Research Foundation. It is the only peer-reviewed journal in the U.S. focused on outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. AORE members receive free digital access.
• Sagamore-Venture PublishingcoreOthersSagamore-Venture Publishing provides free access to JOREL (no subscription required) through May 31, 2024, as part of efforts to make the journal more accessible to a diverse global community.
• G AdventuresminorOthersG Adventures appears as an AORE 365 Alliance Partner, with holiday messages shared through AORE newsletters to members.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Student Conservation Association (SCA): SCA is a conservation-focused nonprofit that places young adults in outdoor stewardship roles, overlapping with AORE's emerging-professional and student segments and its environmental stewardship agenda.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound USA is a leading experiential outdoor education provider whose professional development pathways and outdoor leadership training audience overlap with AORE. Viristar's Jeff Baierlein — AORE's risk-management trainer — is a past Outward Bound USA Executive Director, signaling direct ecosystem overlap.
• Outdoor Industry Association (OIA): OIA is the larger, broader trade association for the outdoor industry with a wider supplier-and-brand focus. It overlaps AORE on industry advocacy, workforce development, and DEI programming but serves a different (predominantly for-profit vendor) primary audience.
• Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR): ORR is a coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations, businesses, and nonprofits advocating on federal policy and public-land access — overlapping with AORE's access and permitting advocacy work. AORE's website explicitly links to ORR's Workforce Hub, signaling partnership.

Direct peers

• American Camp Association (ACA): ACA is a national membership association for camp and youth outdoor education professionals. It shares AORE's audience of outdoor program administrators and offers analogous member benefits including accreditation, training, publications, and an annual conference.
• Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace is both a partner and a peer organization focused on outdoor ethics education and training, with overlapping audiences in outdoor program delivery. AORE's 2025 partnership to deliver Leave No Trace training illustrates the substantive overlap in mission and audience.
• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC): NCTRC is the credentialing body for therapeutic recreation specialists and shares AORE's certification/training professional association model. It serves as a useful comparable on the credentialing, continuing education, and professional development value proposition.
• Wilderness Education Association (WEA): WEA is the closest direct peer to AORE — a national nonprofit professional association focused on wilderness and outdoor education. WEA is also a co-publishing partner on JOREL with AORE and Western Kentucky University, and serves an overlapping audience of outdoor educators and program administrators.

Emerging players

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is a leading outdoor education and leadership training provider offering wilderness courses and instructor certifications. Although primarily an operator rather than a membership association, NOLS competes for the same professional outdoor audience through its leadership training programs.

Regional players

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC): AMC is a membership-based outdoor recreation and conservation organization serving the Northeastern U.S. with a similar dues-funded, member-services model (lodges, programs, education). It serves as a useful comparable for membership economics even though its scope is more operator-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AOREoutdoors
• Facebookfacebook.com/AOREAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-outdoor-recreation-and-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/aoreoutdoors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)