SUM curates, design and leads a wide variety of experiences outside around you and your organization’s goals.
Retreats that foster connection, rest and rejuvenation
Impactful team events to strengthen bonds, creativity and problem-solving
Wellness and mindfulness sessions
Exploratory recreation for all
Time to slow down, breathe and reset
Why? To help more people spend more time outside.
More often. More ways.
More reasons. More places.
More.
Because we know we need it, and we know it’s hard.
SUM makes outside easy - for you, for everyone.
What SUM Does
SUM curates and leads a wide variety of group experiences - staff retreats, wellness outings, field trips, team culture sessions, rejuvenation days and more - all outside and close to Chicago.
Work team? Social organization? Leadership cohort? Youth group? Whoever you are, SUM works with you to understand your needs and aspirations. We then customize an experience - or set of experiences - around your unique aspirations.
SUM brings the benefits of time spent outside - focus, calm, insight, and connection - to people and groups who need it.
more people outside + more time + more often + more ways + more places + more reasons = SUM
Why Outside?
SUM knows everyone can benefit physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually from time spent outside - as long as it’s easy, safe, and welcoming. That takes work.
There are many reasons people don’t spend more time outside. Modern life tells us there is too much work, not enough time, outside is for the weekend, and so on. Some are constructs of societal shifts toward isolation. And some are the result of barriers, exclusion and discrimination.
SUM is working to change this. SUM is working to ensure that our core premise - everyone + outside - means just that.
SUM Experiences For Every Need
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SUM’s team retreats are unique, curated offsite sessions - from a few hours to a full day - that help groups accomplish a focused objective. SUM uses time outside as a catalyst for deepening connections and exploring organizational effectiveness… but also as time to just take a collective breath.
Recent Examples
Wetlands Initiative full staff retreat at Indiana Dunes National Park (in photo)
Regional Transportation Authority senior leadership retreat
Staff rejuvenation days for PODER, Southwest Organizing Project
Visioning retreat with Lambda Alpha International’s Chicago Chapter
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SUM’s wellness experiences focus on physical movement and mindfulness, with a greater goal of facilitating a deeper sense of connectivity to self, the group, and the natural world. These can include forest yoga, guided meditation, awe walks and more.
Recent Example:
A monthly series with the Burke Group, ranging from hiking to yoga, kayaking to guided forest therapy (in photo).
A monthly series of walking discussions and meditations - in the Loop - for the staff of the Chicago Community Trust
SUM’s Winter Wellness Cohort brings together people seeking connection and exploration during the coldest time of year.
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SUM works with schools, youth groups and community organizations to explore the Chicago region, building comfort and confidence in the outdoors.
Recent Examples:
Horseback riding with PODER staff and community members (in photo)
Incorporating kayaking into Beat the Streets’ summer camp programming
Fields trips with Chicago Public Schools, Embarc, Hikma Academy and more
SUM Testimonials
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![three women standing together posing for their picture on the sandy beach]()
"Going on a hike with SUM was one of the best exploring experiences I've ever had. Because of SUM I appreciate the outdoors in an even greater way, and feel like exploring it is more accessible to me.”
Katerina Levi. Ma’wa Collective
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![A group of people walk and use a wheelchair on a prairie path]()
"In these uncertain and transformative times of fluctuating office space, SUM and their activities are a crucial resource to promote team building, connection, and togetherness."
Jose Martinez, Digital Accessibility Supervisor, Access Living
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![a group of people sitting on stone steps]()
"Thank you so much for the wonderful retreat you organized for us. The team really enjoyed it – I did for sure! And all activities, questions, conversations, etc. were exactly what this group needed."
Petra Hurtado, Chief Foresight and Knowledge Officer, American Planning Association
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![two people tandem kayaking together on a green lake]()
“SUM’s "everyone outside" team will deliver beyond expectations. They were so welcoming and genuinely awesome! They even had resuable foodware for us to meet our initiatives on wastefulness. Great crew!!”
Layalee Beirat, CEO, Chicago Muslims Green Team
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![group of people standing around each other in a green forest]()
“The partnership between the Council and SUM is one based on shared values, curiosity, and engagement. Forest bathing exposed us to the opportunity to recenter and connect with nature and each other”
Harley Jones, Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program Alumni
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![a group of people walking on a path in the woods wearing backpacks and one individual utilizing a wheelchair for accessibility]()
"SUM allowed our team to unplug from work and connect with each other. Our team was able to have meaningful conversation free of day-to-day distractions."
Ashley Eisenmenger, Director of Communications, Access Living
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![a group of people posing for a photo outside, in front of a beach]()
"Josh and the SUM team provided a great forum and structure for our team to connect in a meaningful and valuable way. We really enjoyed the SUM experience."
Jill Leary, Chief of Staff, Regional Transportation Authority
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![three people walking in the distance next to each other on a fall forest path]()
“SUM offered me and my co-workers the opportunity to connect purposefully outside work in a setting that allowed us to reflect, laugh and learn more about each other.”
Kyle Berry, Christopher B Burke Engineering
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![three people standing next to each other in a green forest]()
“I firmly believe that being outside, specifically while walking in the woods, greatly contributed to my clarity of thinking and my willingness to express myself more openly. I highly recommend the experience”
Dan Loftus, PODER
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![A group of people sitting on a wooden picnic table eating chips and drinking smoothies]()
"It wasn't your typical conference room setting – we were surrounded by the beauty of nature. We delved into the importance of self-awareness and taking a breath to recharge, even amidst the constant challenges we face."
Kevin Bueso, (former) Chief Financial Officer, Regional Transportation Authority
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![selfie of a group of people smiling with the green woods in the background]()
“SUM allowed me and my team to connect without office distractions and truly listen to each other. Absolutely had a wonderful time and can’t wait to do it again.”
Griselda Piedra, PODER
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![Two women walk through a sunny forest in conversation]()
“SUM facilitated the most productive kickoff meeting I have ever experienced.”
Meg Butcher, CBBEL-Indiana
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![Two people sit and conversation with a bouquet of flowers in the foreground]()
"SUM got us out of the office and into the Palos Preserves for a day of reflection and reconnection — helping us get aligned, focused, and energized for our organizational development work ahead.”
Lyndon Valicenti, Daylight
SUM Leadership
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Contact Josh at josh@sum.fun
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Public Sector Consultant, Crowe LLP
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Lead Principal, Mind Share Partners
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Principal, Lamar Johnson Collaborative
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President and CEO, Association House of Chicago
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Director of Communications, Access Living
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Executive Director, Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund
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Director of Community Service Partnerships, Interfaith America
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Principal, Blue Eddy Community Advisors, LLC
SUM Public Events
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June 20 Evening Kayaking
A free, family-friendly evening paddle on the Des Plaines River + a picnic dinner.
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More Coming Soon!
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More Coming Soon!
SUM’s our name and our philosophy. It means everyone + outside. It means more people + place + moment. SUM means the total positive impact of all that - the sum.
SUM is a registered 501(c)3, founded in 2022. Our founders came together around the simple notion that it should be easier for more people to reap the benefits of time spent outside. Then we founded SUM to do the hard work of making that easy notion a reality.
As of June 2026, SUM has been honored to lead restorative experiences outside for 3,200 people and counting… and we’re just getting started!