Skyhook Foundation

The Skyhook Foundation’s mission is to “GIVE KIDS A SHOT THAT CAN’T BE BLOCKED”
by bringing educational STEM opportunities to underserved communities.

The Skyhook Foundation was created to address inequities in education by giving students access to immersive, hands‑on STEAM learning experiences. Founded with the leadership and vision of the NBA Legend, Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar, the organization partners with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and uses curriculum developed by UCLA and NASA. The program provides students—many of whom have never left their urban neighborhoods—with a five‑day, four‑night outdoor learning experience in the Angeles National Forest. Skyhook is expanding its partnerships into Orange County with Inside the Outdoors, providing day field trips throughout the Orange County outdoors.

Through its partnership with Camp Skyhook and now with Inside the Outdoors, Skyhook Foundation is able to expose students to the “world’s largest classroom,” where they engage in multi‑sensory, NGSS‑aligned STEM learning that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and expands their understanding of science and nature. For many children, this is their first experience in a natural environment, helping broaden their worldview and supporting long‑term educational growth. The program aims to improve socio‑economic mobility by strengthening foundational education.

The Foundation highlights the need for expanded access to quality STEM education for underserved youth. Many students lack opportunities to experience nature, hands‑on science, and immersive learning environments. The program requires continued funding to reduce waitlists, scale its reach, and ensure that more children can participate in Camp Skyhook, and day field trips with Inside the Outdoors in Orange County.

The Skyhook Foundation primarily serves students from Los Angeles and Orange County communities, bringing them to the Angeles National Forest for Camp Skyhook and unique and hands on field trips throughout Orange County. The organization’s outreach and mobile STEM programs (such as the Eco Van) also serve youth across the Los Angeles area and will be expanded throughout Orange County schools.

Supporting children through STEM education and outdoor learning is deeply meaningful to me. I believe every child—regardless of their background—deserves the chance to explore, to question, and to discover the world with curiosity and confidence. Too many young students, especially those in underserved communities, never get the opportunity to step into nature, engage in hands‑on science, or experience the kind of learning that sparks imagination and expands their sense of what’s possible.

This is why I’m committed to helping bridge that gap. When we open the door to STEM experiences and outdoor education, we’re not just teaching lessons—we’re giving children a sense of belonging, a chance to see themselves in new ways, and the tools to dream bigger. My hope is to ensure that more students can access programs like Camp Skyhook and Inside the Outdoors, so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and feel the joy of discovery.

I care deeply about giving children the chance to learn, explore, and imagine beyond the limits of their circumstances. Supporting STEM education and outdoor learning isn’t just a cause, it’s a calling. I see how many young students, especially those in underserved communities, miss out on experiences that spark curiosity: stepping into nature, experimenting with real tools, or discovering how science connects to the world around them.
My commitment is rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to these moments of wonder. When you champion programs that bring STEM and outdoor learning to elementary schools, we are helping open doors that might otherwise stay closed and making it possible for kids to feel inspired, capable, and included in opportunities that can shape their future.
Through your support, more students can participate in programs like Camp Skyhook and Inside the Outdoors—programs that give children room to grow, to dream, and to see themselves as explorers of a bigger world. Our dedication helps ensure that access to meaningful learning isn’t determined by a child’s zip code, but by their potential.