Mission & History

Our mission is to provide our school partners with unique opportunities that create a platform for student growth, personal achievement, and education through experiential learning. 

Our daily actions are guided by a set of Core Values:

  • Family First

  • Efficient Excellence

  • Purposeful Programming

  • Constant Stoke and Community Do-Gooding

  • Sustainability: Preserve, Conserve, CHANGE

Our Story

Ryan and Jered in the early days of Positive Adventures in 2010!

Positive Adventures was born of humble beginnings in 2004 when Founder Ryan Shortill moved across the country from his native New Hampshire home seeking fresh opportunities to make a difference in the world. The quest led him to San Diego where a commitment to volunteerism and helping others proved to be the catalyst for the birth of Positive Adventures, LLC.  

Ryan was working with children on the ropes course of a youth-oriented program when he met two young participants named Rose and Ari who forever changed his life. Invigorated by their enthusiasm, he began to envision a year-round program in which students could explore healthy outlets, increase self-awareness, and connect with others. 

In 2007 Ryan’s longtime friend and fellow University of New Hampshire Outdoor Education Graduate, Jered Cherry joined him in San Diego as the operating partner of Positive Adventures. Jered’s extensive background in risk management, building curriculum, and developing staff was crucial to the success and growth of our organization. 

Together over the last two decades, Ryan and Jered have committed themselves to building up Positive Adventures as a world-class leader in school-based outdoor education programming. Positive Adventures now employs over 35 Outdoor Educators and provides programming for over 5000 students per year.