Go Play Outside Southern Arizona
Explore the Outdoors
Inspiring Active Lifestyles in Youth
Upcoming Events
Programs Offered
Engaging Young Explorers
Go Play Outside Southern Arizona is dedicated to enriching the lives of elementary school children grades 1-5 through running and outdoor activities. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore the outdoors and stay active!
Go Play Outside Southern Arizona offers low-cost and no-cost afterschool and weekend programming for children grades 1-5. Our programs include After School Run Club, Family Hikes, and Family Camping Adventures. Join us in fostering a love for the outdoors while developing physical skills and social connections. Together, we nurture healthy habits for life.
News
Stay updated on our latest programs and events. We continuously strive to enhance our offerings to better serve our community.
HIKE
Guided hikes for kids Grades 1-5 exploring the Sonoran Desert. From local parks and wilderness areas to National Parks and Monuments and the Arizona Trail. Adventures will range from 1-5 miles with varying difficulty, helping kids build confidence, endurance, and a love for the outdoors along the way!
RUN
Our after-school non-competitive run club (Grades 1-5) is a fun program where kids move, play, and build confidence through running games and group running activities. We'll focus on endurance, goal setting, and healthy habits, helping each child work towards achieving a goal of running 1 mile or a 5K!
CAMP
Our camping events are for kids grades 1-5 and their families. Create unforgettable memories through shared experiences that encourage teamwork and support. Seasoned camper or a first timer? These events are for everyone!
Meet the Team
We are currently seeking part-time run club coaches & volunteers. Interested? Contact GoPlayOutsideSouthernAZ@gmail.com for more information.
Meet the Founders:
Go Play Outside: Southern Arizona was born from the shared passion of two parents who believe childhood should be filled with sunshine, dirt trails, and the joy of movement. Husband and Wife Sean and Jessica, Rita/Ranch & Vail residents and proud outdoor enthusiasts, created this organization to help families reconnect with nature and to inspire kids to discover the fun of being active.
About Jessica
Jessica brings more than 20 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities, at‑risk youth, and people experiencing homelessness to live fulfilling lives. Her career has spanned direct program management, operations leadership, fund development, compliance, grant writing, and executive direction — all rooted in helping people find opportunity, confidence, and success.
When she’s not supporting her community professionally, Jessica is outside with her husband Sean and their 8‑year‑old son. She’s an avid mountain and road cyclist, and someone who never turns down a fun run, 5K, or an opportunity to dress for a theme! Jessica also volunteers with the Junior League of Tucson, where she helps develop women leaders and strengthen the community she loves.
About Sean
With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofits and the endurance sports world, Sean has dedicated his career to creating safe, exciting, and meaningful athletic experiences for youth. He has served as a Race and Event Production Manager for a national youth cycling organization, Executive Director of a Tucson‑based cycling nonprofit, Ride Director for a California cycling group, and Endurance Manager for an international nonprofit.
Sean’s background in cyclocross racing eventually led him to running and multisport events after moving to Tucson in 2020. He’s earned top finishes in the Bisbee 1000 (Top 10, 2023–2025), the Cactus Man Duathlon (1st in 2023, 2nd in 2024), the Oro Valley Duathlon (1st in 2024), and more. But what he enjoys most is sharing these experiences with his family , riding the Willcox Flyer each year with his son, completing El Tour de Tucson together, and coaching his son’s soccer teams in Vail.
Why Go Play Outside: Southern Arizona
For Jessica and Sean, the outdoors isn’t a hobby, it’s a way of life. They began camping with their son when he was just an infant and have spent nearly every weekend since exploring the Sonoran Desert, hiking new trails, riding bikes, and sleeping under the stars. They even bike with their son to school every single day.
But as they looked around their community, they noticed something troubling: many kids were spending more time indoors and on screens than outside discovering the world around them. They knew something had to change.
Go Play Outside: Southern Arizona was created to spark a love of nature in kids and to make outdoor activities accessible, welcoming, and fun for every family. Their non‑competitive run club helps children build endurance, confidence, and healthy habits that carry into every part of life — from playing at recess to growing on the soccer field. Their family hikes and camping trips open the door for parents and kids to explore together, even if they’re brand new to outdoor adventures.
Jessica and Sean believe that everyone deserves the chance to feel strong, capable, and connected to the natural world. Their mission is to reduce barriers, teach kids to be safe and respectful stewards of local trails, and help families discover the joy of hiking, running, and camping right here in Southern Arizona, starting in their own Rita Ranch and Vail neighborhoods.