Our Values & Principles

Mission Statement

We grow leaders and environmental stewards through outdoor recreation, nature advocacy, and community organizing.

Vision Statement

An outdoors that reflects us, restores us, and is protected by us.

Our Core Values

We are present because you matter

Showing up with love is the work.

We agitate to honor our ancestors

We rise because they refused to fall.

We can, we will

We move with purpose.

Our Story

TeamHood—a dynamic Mother-Daughter Trio—ignites the passion behind Syatt

Syatt was founded by Marcia Hood with a clear vision: to see Black and Brown kids on the slopes and in every outdoor space where they’ve been overlooked. What began with skiing has grown into a movement rooted in family, community, and possibility, one that organizes alongside neighbors to reclaim outdoor spaces and ensure equitable access.

Led by Marcia and her daughters, Erika and Ebony, Syatt creates space for growth through activities like kayaking, rowing, scuba diving, and hiking. Our work centers youth, supports families, and encourages people to show up fully, mind, body, and spirit.

We stay grounded, speak up, and do the work, always with love, honesty, and a deep belief in the power of showing up for each other.

The Syatt Difference

Lived Experience

Our team brings real-world insight to navigating and reshaping spaces where our communities haven't always been seen or heard, and organizing to change who holds power in those spaces.

Cultural Fluency

We design programs that reflect real people, real stories, and real needs—creating learning experiences that stick and leadership that lasts.

Intergenerational Insight

As a mother-daughter team, we bring perspective across generations, and we know how to connect youth and adults in meaningful ways. Our work creates space for learning, leadership, and honest conversation across age and experience.

Community Organizing to Policy Change

We organize alongside neighbors to reclaim parks, waterways, and green spaces impacted by disinvestment. We build power at the local level and bring what works to national partners. Community roots, global reach.

Education, Reimagined

We connect outdoor exploration with classroom learning—bringing energy, relevance, and purpose to school programs that inspire students and support educators.

Org Founding (2009)
Syatt was born with a $5K Neighborhood Connections grant, big dreams, and a mission to put more “chocolate” on the slopes.
Racing with Cleveland Metro Ski Council
We started with just a few racers, and by year two, we doubled in size. What began small grew into a proud Syatt presence on the slopes.
Program Growth
We branched out beyond skiing, adding running, climbing, rowing, and more. Events like YouthFest and our 5K brought new energy and deeper bonds.
Strategic Reflection
The Syatt Supporters Retreat, sparked by our CBB partners, helped us see our impact through fresh eyes, and dream even bigger, together.
International Collaboration
 We watched our youth grow up, then took our first global leap. In Costa Rica, we met the VP, dove deep into civic life, and used our Spanish lessons (¡de verdad!).
Social Advocacy
Amid COVID and civil unrest, we made national news and stayed grounded, launching virtual camps and healing outdoors when our community needed it most.
Participation Surge
Over 100 skiers hit the slopes this season, our biggest yet. In the water, our dive program came full circle with our first certified Divemaster.
Syatt Seventeen
Year 17 and still rising. From one spark to a movement, Syatt continues to grow in joy, purpose, and deep-rooted community love.
2009 - Present

Changing the Narrative

10

Certified Divers with immersive experience in underwater archaeology and coral reef restoration.

4

Award-Winning Leadership: Honored with U.S. Forest Service and Chief’s Awards, Soil & Water Conservationist of the Year, and the National Place-Based Education Award.

50+

Students engaged annually in immersive credit recovery programs, using experiential learning to help them stay on track for graduation.

Explore Our Blog

Syatt Stories: INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATION

At Syatt, we are passionate about empowering communities through transformative outdoor experiences.

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