Jason Stout – Healing in Nature & Well-being Educator | Advisor | Consultant

Jason Stout, recipient of the 2024 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection, has spent over 25 years guiding youth, adults, and professionals toward resilience, personal growth, and well-being through nature-based experiences. His journey began with personal loss—having endured the deaths of his sister, father, and grandmother before the age of fifteen, he found healing and purpose through the outdoors, culminating in a transformative 78-day Winter Leadership Expedition. This life-changing experience inspired him to create a national wilderness program for grieving and at-risk teens, which has been featured in Backpacker Magazine, the Denver Post, and the Associated Press.

As the founder of Stoutreach, Jason develops immersive programs that integrate nature into daily well-being, helping individuals cultivate mindfulness, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. His work spans youth initiatives, family retreats, corporate wellness programs, and professional training.

Committed to the return-to-nature movement, Jason partners with outdoor education programs to expand access to wilderness experiences for young people. He has worked to ensure that outdoor education and gap year programs can accept 529 College Savings Plans and AmeriCorps Education Awards, making transformational experiences more accessible.

Jason has consulted for national organizations, including Outward Bound, The National Park Foundation, and Children & Nature Network, as well as local programs like Jeffco Public Schools. His expertise has led to interviews on the Nature of Wellness podcast, and he is featured in the upcoming documentary, "In Our Nature."

Jason also serves as a Youth Programs Advisor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), where he designs and leads transformative experiences for grieving military families, veterans, and active-duty service members. His work continues to bridge education, healing, and nature-based growth, positioning him as a leader in the return-to-nature movement for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.