Think Outside: Meet PORA and Discover the Adventure Pass with Lutricia Eberly

“Get outdoors. Get off your iPad and get outdoors because it's way more fun and it's good for your brain.” Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Lutricia Eberly, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association (PORA), the trade group representing the state's ski resorts, outfitters, zip lines, and adventure providers. Lutricia grew up on a tree farm in the woods, though neither of her degrees (computer science, then theology) pointed toward outdoor recreation. Almost by accident, she turned a seasonal job at Roundtop Mountain Resort into a career. It wasn't until she moved to Girl Scouts that she recognized outdoor recreation as an industry. PORA began in 1978 as a ski association and rebranded in 2024 to represent the whole sector. Its advocacy work centers less on trails than on the unglamorous machinery behind them. These include utility costs (snowmaking is expensive!), minor-employment law, and safety training run jointly with the state's lift inspectors. The association's most visible project is the Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass, a $69 digital pass for fourth and fifth graders that unlocks discounts at more than 50 providers statewide. Ski slopes, zoos, caves, and river outfitters are among them. These kids are old enough for real independence, but young enough that parents are still along for the ride. Lutricia's case is that, more than a discount card, the pass is a counter against five-plus daily hours of screen time. It’s a low-stakes way for kids to try something unfamiliar and build confidence, and, eventually, a pipeline into outdoor careers kids don't yet know exist! Key Topics: • What PORA Actually Does (3:52) • The Outdoor Adventure Pass, Explained (8:31) • What the Pass Unlocks for Families (15:16) • Showcasing Careers in Outdoor Recreation (18:05) • Screens, Loneliness, and the Case for Getting Outside (22:43) Resources: • Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association: https://paoutdoors.org/ • Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Pass: https://paoutdooradventure.com/ • @PaOutdoorPass on Instagram:   / paoutdoorpass   • PORA on LinkedIn:   / pennsylvania-outdoor-recreation-association   🎧 Listen to the Think Outside Podcast on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0pUbbLF...) , Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) , or your favorite app (https://pod.link/1808055642) while on the go! New episodes drop bi-weekly on Mondays, and you may occasionally find a bonus episode, as well! The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation inspires stewardship of YOUR state parks and forests through volunteerism, education, recreation, and philanthropy. Learn more, find events, download outdoor resources, and get involved! (https://paparksandforests.org/) 👉 Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter (https://ppff.app.neoncrm.com/np/clien...) 🎥 Watch outdoor tips and stories on our YouTube channel (   / paparksandforests  ) 📸 Follow the podcast on Instagram (  / thinkoutsideppffpodcast  ) 🎶 Podcast music provided by Evan Mongeau (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Ucu1...) 📱 Follow PPFF on: • Facebook (  / pennsylvaniastateparksandforests  ) • Instagram (  / paparksandforests  ) • LinkedIn (  / pennsylvania-parks-and-forests-foundation  ) • YouTube (   / paparksandforests  ) • MeetUp (https://www.meetup.com/ppff-events/)