With privilege comes responsibility. In developing Root Adventures I understood that our trips are out of reach for most, so including support for our communities was of the utmost importance to ensure our mission reached all walks of life.
Marginalized youth don’t often have the opportunity to step into nature - limiting factors include money, proximity and social norms.
The Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Community initiative will award multi-year capacity building grants to diverse communities in order to create or strengthen partnerships between existing local organizations such as schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and nonprofit conservation and outdoor organizations that create repeat and reinforcing positive outdoor experiences for kids and families. The core goal of the Thrive Outside Community investments is to create healthy individuals, communities, and economies by making the outdoors a habit.
In other words, they are financially supporting local organizations that have a true understanding of each community’s need.
On Night Zero of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Outdoor Industry Association organized the Give Back Bash, a night filled with music, fun and inspiration supporting collective action to connect kids, families, and communities with the outdoors. The Give Back Bash brings together executives and industry leaders for an event benefiting the Thrive Outside Communities.
In partnership with Kuhl, Stasher, Aeropress, and PowerWatch, Root Adventures was able to donate a trip for two to Baja, plus almost $2000 in additional prizes.
After a lovely evening filled with delicious food and drinks, Thrive Outside community leaders from across the country shared their personal accounts of the value in giving back to our marginalized youth. The room was invigorated! They were ready to help bring everyone outdoors. The perfect moment to begin the live auction!
Each prize better than the last, the room was on fire! What’s better than getting new gear or a fun adventure with EVERY penny going to deserving kids! And then it was time for the BIG PRIZE:
- trip for 2 to Baja
- Kuhl (2) $300 gift certificates
- Aeropress X2 with tote
- Stasher Ecosystem
- PowerWatch from Matrix
Our video running on loop, getting the crowd riled up. As the auctioneer builds the excitement about our package, you can see the crowd loving every minute…who’s going to win?! The answer the kids! Oh, of the package, the kindest man, David Straub, founder of the Straub Collaborative. His generosity ensured $3750 goes directly towards bringing our youth outdoors.
A hug thank you to everyone who made this happen. The more people we bring into nature, the better the world will be!