Owen Clarke
Writer
Owen Clarke is an adventure travel journalist working as a writer for VISIONS. A lifelong rock climber and mountaineer, Owen is an editor-at-large for Climbing, the executive editor of Indoor Skydiving Source and Skydiving Source, and a regular contributor to the Travel and Adventure section of the motorcycle magazine Iron & Air.
An Alabama native, Owen grew up rock climbing and backpacking in the rolling hills and secluded gorges of the Southeast—initially as a Boy Scout—which fostered his lifelong connection to the outdoors.
During and after college, Owen worked and volunteered for several environmental nonprofits, including Greenpeace, before turning to writing full-time. As a mountaineer, Owen is particularly interested in the rapid loss of glacial mass due to climate change, and has reported on (and been interviewed concerning) the climate crisis for a number of publications, including NPR and Outside Online.
Owen’s writing appears in 35+ international magazines, including Rock and Ice, Backpacker, Trail Runner, SKI, The Outdoor Journal, Travel + Leisure, VeloNews, Beta and Yoga Journal. In addition to VISIONS, he also currently works as a writer for the adventure film company Benegas Brothers Productions and the high-altitude down apparel brand Valandré.
Owen has written for 60+ outdoor brands, including The North Face, REI, La Sportiva, Outdoor Research, Arc’teryx and Black Diamond, as well as nonprofits like Access Fund. His work with VISIONS involves telling our program’s stories via e-newsletters, digital blogs and webpage copy.
Recent blog posts
Spotlight: Amy Liszt, VISIONS Alumni and Parent
A 1993 VISIONS Montana alum shares how service work, Salish and Kootenai cultural immersion, and deep community bonds shaped her values, career in education, and commitment to volunteerism—and inspired her daughter to join VISIONS decades later.
Spotlight: Sufi Kreismann, 2025 VISIONS Dominican Republic Alum
A teen volunteer reflects on her life-changing summer with VISIONS in the Dominican Republic—immersing in local culture, building community, working with kids, and discovering new confidence in her future path.
Your VIA: How Teens Turn Service Into Purpose With VISIONS
VISIONS new VIA—Vision, Impact, Action—helps teens turn summer service into lasting purpose. Through reflection, real-world projects, and a tech-free environment, students gain confidence, clarity, and direction long after the program ends.
In Their Own Words: VISIONS Summer Testimonials
Hear directly from VISIONS teens and parents about the impact of their summer—meaningful community service, deep friendships, tech-free connection, and moments that shaped who they’re becoming. These reflections capture the heart of the VISIONS experience.
