Purpose

LOOP NOLA is a nonprofit organization providing positive outdoor experiences that are designed to expand learning, build social-emotional skills, improve mental health, and connect to nature for youth in Greater New Orleans. Through our outdoor education programs, LOOP NOLA is committed to making the outdoors more accessible to youth and families. LOOP NOLA program participants are typically youth from ages 6-19 with the majority coming from historically underserved communities. We create a safe and welcoming environment that allows youth to explore, learn, and develop a sense of belonging in the outdoors.

Accomplishments During the 2025-2026 School Year
Outdoor Opportunities for Youth: 6,648
Program Hours: 24,865
School and Nonprofit Partners: 89

Our Founder, Dan Forman

1965 - 2012

From Bob Marshall's article, “Dan Forman, Creator of Outdoor Programs for New Orleans Children, Dies at 46,” The Lens, February 9, 2012

“A Rhode Islander who fell in love with the music and culture of New Orleans, Mr. Forman believed the lessons children learned in outdoor sports could help them avoid the cycle of dysfunction and violence that plagues the city's poor. That belief was based on his own experiences as a troubled youth who found the right path during Maine outdoors camps, and the degree he earned in social work at Temple University.

In 1997, Mr. Forman transformed a nascent NORD program, building outdoors clubs across inner-city schools with an operating budget of just $5,000. Children first spent time in classrooms learning environmental education before gaining basic outdoor skills while canoeing, hiking and fishing in city parks. Students then could advance to daylong trips in nearby wetlands and weekend outings on regional creeks and rivers.

In 2004, frustrated with city administrators, Mr. Forman planned to leave the city. Landrieu, then head of state parks as lieutenant governor, recruited him to develop a similar program at the state level. The result was the Louisiana Outdoors Outreach Program, or LOOP.

Mr. Forman built LOOP into a model of outdoor education. Curriculum subjects such as math, history, science and language arts were incorporated as part of the learning experience on outings. Meanwhile, the physical activities -- including a ropes course in City Park -- were designed to teach important social skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, problem-solving and self-esteem.

Mr. Forman called the concept "expeditionary learning," indicating the program was a long-term journey, not a single experience.

The rise of charter schools post-Katrina proved a boon to the program, with more educators receptive to the role LOOP could play. That support helped spur the creation of a nonprofit support arm, Friends of LOOP, to help with funding as state budgets declined.”

We remember Dan fondly every day, and we are continuing to work for and with the youth he cared so much about.

Since Dan died in 2012 we have maintained the same mission—to provide underserved youth with opportunities for positive social-emotional growth.  We primarily partner with public schools, offering age-appropriate outdoor programming to students. We are looking for support from individuals, corporations, foundations and advocates to keep LOOP NOLA and Dan Forman’s vision alive.