The North Face

Jun 07 | True North - An Intern's Experience

By The North Face

"You're our top candidate..."  After finishing a phone interview 45 minutes prior, I wasn't expecting to hear those words so soon, or really at all.  My name is Lindsey, I’m 29 years old (quickly approaching 30), from Los Angeles, CA, and through social media, my world changed.  Via a Facebook post found on Modern Hiker – a hiker I follow to learn of new trails in the greater Los Angeles area – I was introduced to a great opportunity being offered through Backpacker Magazine in partnership with The North Face.  It was an intern position working with one of their esteemed athletes to coordinate an inaugural service event at the annual athlete summit, this year being held in Jackson Hole, WY.

Upon my introduction to The North Face headquarters located in Alameda, CA, I was in complete disbelief at how a building could embody my ideology on sustainability and environmental awareness.  In Los Angeles, I worked as an Art Department Coordinator for film and television, and oftentimes I’m known as the girl who brings her own bowl.  Working in an industry that is wasteful overall, it was great to see a company so dedicated to the environment – through their use of reusable water bottles, composting, an onsite garden, and every type of bin to collect items for reuse or recycling (even an energy bar wrapper collection bin), not to mention their approach to their products being cruelty-free and having the least amount of environmental impact in production and shipment.  I was a fan from the beginning.

Through countless phone calls and e-mails, Heidi Wirtz (TNF climber, philanthropist, and awesome woman) and I were able to develop a great service event partnering with the American Alpine Club’s Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch.  The American Alpine Club, a climbing and advocacy group, through their Climbers’ Ranch, provides an accommodation option to mountaineers and their families during the summer months.  In the first week of June, the Ranch conducts “work week,” a great program for climbers and those interested – in exchange for a week of working on improvement projects, a month of accommodation at the Ranch.  In preparation for work week, the Ranch needed our help in readying it for visitors. 

To say that the arrival into Jackson Hole, WY was bumpy, would be an understatement.  After a fall from the sky, and a ride reminiscent of being inside a “BOGGLE” game, Blair (Sr. OE & Community Development Coordinator) and I touched down.  Welcomed by a short spurt of rain, we started off readying for the next day’s service event – picking up work gloves donated by an amazing organization, Teton Science Schools, which educates about nature and the ecosystem through a variety of programs, and conducting a quick site visit at the Ranch to run over the last-minute details.  Meeting with Philip, the manager of the Ranch, and the two assistant managers – Debbie and Gary, gave Blair and I great insight into the Ranch, and the actual scope of work that we were undertaking.  We were even welcomed by some of the locals – two moose, and a bushy-tailed fox!

The day of the event was met with a mix of nerves and excitement.  Once at the Ranch, Heidi, Blair and I readied for the arrival of the athletes and the TNF staff.  To keep the carbon footprint to a minimum, we used human-power to get the majority of the volunteers to the event.  Via forty bikes, five cars, and some on foot, everyone began to arrive.  The Tetons were shrouded in clouds for most of the morning, but as the runners ran, the bikers biked, and the cars drove up, the clouds lifted, creating a nice welcome to the Ranch. 

With four awesome project leaders at the helm, there was little that could go wrong.  The Ranch had been closed for winter, and our efforts were concentrated on de-winterizing: moving bikes out of cabins and picnic tables out of the cook shelter, cleaning windows, removing shutters and storm doors, hanging screens, cleaning coolers, and the largest task of the day – gravel relocating.  The gravel is dispersed unevenly around the Ranch, and was in need of some leveling and movement for better mobility via foot, bike and car.  Each volunteer took to his or her project with great enthusiasm and excitement!  Seeing snowboarders wielding wheelbarrows, runners riding bikes from the cabin to the bike rack, skiers cleaning windows, and climbers carrying shutters on their heads to storage, it was a multi-sport grouping of awesome and inspiring individuals doing their part to give back.  From the physicality of the shoveling, to some creativity in getting the bikes out of the cabins, and even window washing extending from the cabins to the cars nearby, everyone had a great time giving back and getting in a small workout.  The event was a success being celebrated after by a lunch brought in from Jackson Whole Grocer – a fresh, wholesome, and organic market in town.  With the Tetons as the backdrop – it couldn’t get much better!

Leaving the event, it seemed surreal that it was over.  Philip and the Ranch were ecstatic with everything we were able to accomplish, and the day exceeded their expectations!   

Everyone I have met, from the receptionist at the TNF front desk, to the contacts at the nonprofits in Jackson, to each member of the marketing and PR team at The North Face, has been helpful, kind and welcoming!  To have this opportunity truly embodies Backpacker Magazine’s description of the position – a dream job.  It has been a stellar experience, and has only reinforced my love for the outdoors and the industry that services it!  

Jun 03 | Featured Philanthropy :: Outdoor Outreach

By The North Face

Outdoor Outreach is a San Diego based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to empower at-risk and underprivileged youth to make positive, lasting changes in their lives through comprehensive outdoor programming. Outdoor Outreach programs support underserved youth who are at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, violence and unintended pregnancy. Their unique program model utilizes outdoor physical experiences combined with academic and social support to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults. Since their founding in 1999, they have taken more than 7,260 youth on over 2,000 outings, including rock climbing, snowboarding, surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking and backpacking. The Outdoor Outreach model has produced amazing results: Over the last four years, serving youth in schools with graduation rates between 45%-60%, 100% of Outdoor Outreach participants have graduated with 95% moving on to college or technical school.

The North Face brand ambassador Ryan Hudson's life was changed at 14 when he was introduced to snowboarding through Outdoor Outreach.  Now competing as a semi pro athlete Ryan's story shows just how transformational the outdoors can be.

 

To learn more about how you can get involved with Outdoor Outreach visit: http://www.outdooroutreach.org/get-involved/donate/ways-to-donate/

To learn more about how The North Face is helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts visit www.TheNorthFace.com/getoutdoors.

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 29 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for 2013 grants are open until May 1st.

Through our 4 Club locations in Salt Lake and Tooele Counties in Utah, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake serves over 4,700 kids each year including 1,300 teens. We have nearly 500 members attending the Club daily. We provide low and no cost programs in neighborhoods where kids need us most to ensure we reach our intended population. The members of our Clubs represent some of the neediest and most underserved youth in our state: • 69% are from low-income families (with some Club sites as high as 97%) • 35% come from single-parent homes • 47% are ethnic minorities (with some Club sites as high as 85%) Our Clubs reside near some of the world’s best outdoor opportunities: hiking and rock climbing in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, skiing and snowboarding in the “greatest snow on earth,” fishing and whitewater rafting in scenic lakes and rivers, and just exploring Utah nature and wildlife. Unfortunately, while some tourists from all over the world spend fortunes on Utah vacations, many low-income kids from Salt Lake City and the surrounding area are unable to access or afford the outdoor activities only miles from their homes. Also, due to urban lifestyles and sedentary habits so prevalent today many kids do not even know about the opportunities they are missing.

Club Adventure is an exciting and popular program designed to connect our Club kids with the outdoors and nature. Each year we collaborate with multiple community partners to provide snowboarding trips, canoeing and river trips, and outdoor climbing events. Our Club members have also gone ice skating, indoor rock climbing, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and even snorkeling at the Bonneville Seabase. Every month more and more Club kids are experiencing outdoor programs and staying fit through Club Adventure.

One of the major goals of Club Adventure is to overcome barriers to getting our Club members outdoors. Unfortunately, cost is often one of the most significant hurdles preventing many of our kids from outdoor participation. Even relatively low cost activities like hiking are too far out of reach for kids who can't afford proper equipment or don't have the support and supervision of a responsible adult.

 

Club Adventure exists to fill these holes. Grant funds from The North Face Explore Fund will be used to cover the rental costs of mountain bikes, canoes, and climbing equipment. Funds will also be utilized to transport our kids to and from outdoor activities, and to cover the fees associated with guides and instructors to keep them safe.

Apr 15 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: Urban Peaks

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for 2013 grants are open until May 1st.

Urban Peaks supplements funding for underprivileged, urban youth to participate in rock climbing and challenge course activities. In just under two years, Urban Peaks has been able to fund climbing programs for over 400 students, introducing youth from low income, often single parent homes, and/or students with behavioral or social disabilities to the world of climbing, offering these youth an opportunity they might otherwise not have. Thanks to the North Face Explore Fund Grant, Urban Peaks was able to enrich these youth’s lives by providing funding for them to be able to participate in rock climbing activities

An 80 person Big Brother Big Sister group participated in a rock climbing program at a local climbing gym; upon entering the gym, the youth looked up at the 50 foot walls with a mixed bag of emotions. Some looked at the walls with sheer excitement saying, “I’m going to conquer that wall and climb all the way up!” While others felt a little trepidation, “oh, that’s so high, I’m scared of heights!” Upon completion of the three hours of climbing, all the students were proud of their own, personal, achievements. Whether it was getting to the top of the wall, or getting two moves higher than they expected. All the youth left proud of reaching their personal goals.

At the end of a rock climbing and challenge course program for a Boys and Girls Club group, an instructor commented, “It’s over already? I have never seen these kids so engaged!” When asked what the students are usually like, the instructor responded “apathetic teenagers”. It was great to see some natural talent in these kids who have never climbed before. When the students went through the Challenge Course, it was inspirational to see how, when some of the elements really challenged the students, they endured and found their strength to get through that element and onto the next.

Urban Peaks strives to raise funds to continue to introduce these youth to climbing, to build self-confidence, learn new things and learn ways to challenge themselves and overcome fears. Urban Peaks continues to work with Big Brothers Big Sister groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as various non-profits and public schools in the Boston area, and hoping to reach northern New England.

Apr 08 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: Montana Wilderness Association's Outdoor Explorers

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for 2013 grants are open until May 1st.

Mentoring the next generation of America’s public lands stewards

The Montana Wilderness Association, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the U.S. Forest Service, and with support from the North Face Explore Fund, leads monthly outdoor adventures for Montana’s underserved youth. 

 

A dozen "Bigs" and "Littles" gathered at Pattee Canyon Recreation Area to try out cross country skiing, most of them for the first time. Only a few miles from downtown Missoula, Montana, this popular locals spot on the Lolo National Forest was an entirely new destination for these Explorers. 

It was a warm Saturday in mid-January, and the experts in the crowd -- college student volunteers -- tried to explain the techniques of the sport: Push, pole, kick, glide, herring bone, and so on. The kids patiently fidgeted with bindings and jacket zippers, and focused on trying to stay upright on skis.

 

As soon as talking and introductions were finished, in a burst of energy, the crowd headed off down the trail. Gliding fearlessly, many little skiers stopped at least a few times mid-hill to topple into a pile of skis, mittens, puffy coats, and hats, but always with a smile. Quickly scrapping well-made plans to cruise the trails, the skiers left poles aside and made use of a meadow, where familiar games of tag, red-light-green-light, and red rover helped newbie skiers become accustomed to the long boards on their feet.

When it came time to stop for a lunch of chili and hot chocolate, one stand-out 5th grader was reluctant to take a break from his new found passion - cross country skiing. After scarfing down a bowl of chili, he was off on the trails again, tumbling down every downhill, slipping up every uphill, and sliding to and fro across the path, all with a special gusto to keep at it. Where adults might have shed a tear or two after the first couple of falls, he kept pushing ahead with a big smile, eager eyes, and a tenacity unique to 5th grade boys.

 

Towards the end of the day, again tumbling into a pile of skis, he stood up, raised his arms high above his head, and exclaimed with a grin, "I love skiing!  What's better than the great outdoors?!"

This exclamation of joy is exactly why the Montana Wilderness Association partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters in three Montana communities. The Montana Wilderness Association's college student volunteers help provide Montana's underserved youth - kids whose families are struggling to overcome the challenges of poverty, single parent homes, incarceration, and other social and economic obstacles - with the chance to explore the great outdoors. Monthly trips in Helena, Missoula, and Bozeman, give "Bigs" and "Littles" the chance to experience skiing, tracking, rafting, hiking, birding, and more.

 

Hopefully - like this 5th grade boy - the pairs return home with experiences they will carry with them, sharing their new-found love of outdoor adventure with their friends and families. Perhaps they'll encourage their families to hike together, or maybe they'll even start a career in conservation a decade from now. There's no telling what the long-term effects of a day in the woods might be.

After all, isn't the sentiment of this 5th grader what drives all of us to dedicate our lives to the cause of conservation? As he exclaimed so perfectly, "What's better than the great outdoors?!"

Apr 03 | Featured Philanthropy :: Big City Mountaineers

By The North Face

Big City Mountaineers changes the lives of under-resourced, racially diverse urban youth through wilderness mentoring experiences that instill critical life skills. Our proven curriculum is delivered in partnership with a vibrant network of youth-based agencies and adult volunteer mentors. Through outdoor mentoring, mentors guide youth to overcome challenges, illuminate the meaning of their accomplishments and highlight their strengths. Our youth improve self-esteem, self-awareness and personal responsibility, and return home better equipped to make critical career, educational and healthy lifestyle decisions.

The North Face and Big City Mountaineers partner to get kids outdoors and instill critical life skills! TNF sponsors approximately 20 BCM students each year, providing wilderness mentoring expeditions and programs to kids. Several TNF athletes champion BCM kids, too. For example, with help from TNF’s Explore Fund, Heidi Wirtz has taken BCM kids climbing with her, and Cedar Wright raised thousands of dollars in support for BCM youth while under-taking a major international climbing expedition.  TNF sponsored athletes Pete Athans and Cedar Wright are also climbing Mount Whitney with Summit For Someone and Backpacker readers who have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support for BCM students!

To learn more about how The North Face is helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts visit www.TheNorthFace.com/getoutdoors.

Apr 01 | The North Face Issues a call for Explore Fund Applicants

By The North Face

The North Face today announced the opening of the 2013 Explore Fund grant-giving program, which will provide $250,000 in grants to support non-profit organizations that are connecting youth to the outdoors. In previous years, Explore Fund grants have been awarded of up to $2,500, but the 2013 grant cycle is upping the ante by offering grants of up to $25,000.

This year, The North Face will introduce Facebook crowdsourcing later this summer to the grantee selection process, which will give the top 10 grant applicants the opportunity to vie for $10,000 - $25,000, and The North Face fans a chance to be directly involved in supporting a great cause. Organizations are encouraged to tap into their creativity, their non-profit networks and the social media power of The North Face to reach more than 3 million fans and followers with their mission. With the help of its fans, The North Face will award:

• 30 grants of $2,500
• 5 grants of $10,000
• 5 grants of $25,000

Since the Explore Fund launched in 2010, The North Face has donated more than $1 Million worldwide to organizations helping to get more kids outdoors, impacting the lives of more than 80,000 kids in the U.S. alone as part of The North Face mission to inspire a global movement of Outdoor Exploration.

“We have seen how much of an impact a $2,500 grant can have on-the-ground for a small organization, and on kids they work with,” said Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face. “With this new grant approach we hope we are able to empower organizations that are inspiring the next generation of outdoor explorers and conservationists to think even bigger with their programs and outreach efforts. 

During the 2013 Explore Fund cycle, grants will be awarded to organizations with activities on three different focus areas: access to front and back country recreation, education for personal and environmental health, and creating a connection to nature that will empower the future leaders of tomorrow. The North Face will select the $2,500 grantees and the top 10 organizations for crowdsourcing funding. 

Applications for 2013 Explore Fund grants are now being accepted online through May 1, 2013. The top projects receiving funding will be announced on June 18, and the top 10 will move on to the Crowdsourcing stage for a chance to earn $25,000 in funding. For more details, grantee highlights and ongoing updates, please visit www.explorefund.org.

Dec 12 | The North Face awards $140,000 in Explore Fund grants

By The North Face

Explore Fund 2012 Cycle 1 grantee Voyageur Outward Bound

The North Face today has awarded the second round of Explore Fund grants for 2012, more than $140,000 in grants to 58 projects that will impact more than 80,000 youth across the nation. As part of its mission to start a global movement of Outdoor Exploration, The North Face introduced the Explore Fund (www.explorefund.org) in 2010 and the program has since provided more than $1 Million in grants globally to organizations committed to inspiring the next generation of outdoor explorers and conservationists. Since launching in 2010, The North Face has donated more than $765,000 to over 300 nonprofit organizations in the U.S.

Explore Fund grantee, Athletes for Cancer based in Colorado, is dedicated to enriching lives impacted by cancer through nature and the outdoors. The North Face Explore Fund grant will help support Camp Koru, a 6-day outdoor adventure camp that gives young survivors an opportunity to tackle outdoor challenges, build self-confidence and learn skills to thrive in life.

Voyaguer Outward Bound

We are very pleased and grateful to receive support from The North Face Explore Fund,” said Tonia Farman, executive director of Athletes 4 Cancer. “We truly believe in the physical, emotional and social benefits of connecting kids with the outdoors, and this funding will help us continue to provide that experience to young cancer survivors.”

The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in Colorado is a therapeutic snowboard program designed to get youth outdoors during the winter season, regardless of any type of physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral disability. Led by qualified instructors and local rehabilitation centers, NSCD is focused on using the outdoor experience to work on goal setting and build self-esteem. The Explore Fund grant will help provide for training, equipment and lift tickets throughout the season. 

Fall/Winter funds were granted to organizations across the country that break down barriers to getting outdoors, with a focus on:

 $ 61,000 - Access to front and back country recreation

$ 48,000 - Education for personal and environmental health

$ 31,000 - Creating a connection to nature 

With this second round of micro-grant, a total of $265,000 will be awarded to nonprofits in the U.S. through the 2012 Explore Fund by the end of the year. 

The Explore Fund spring grant cycle will be announced in early 2013. For more information on this cycle's grantees, please visit www.explorefund.org.

Voyaguer Outward Bound

Oct 08 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: cityWILD

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for Fall and Winter grants CLOSE TODAY. 

cityWILD was established in 1997, and the organization’s first outdoor trip was piloted a year later.  Over the course of the next year, cityWILD founders volunteered their time to write curricula, develop community roots and partnerships, and secure resources for a more formal launching in September 1999.  Since its auspicious beginning, cityWILD has focused its efforts on strategic growth that meets the increasing demands of its community.  The organization’s approach promotes healthy life decision-making that encourages students to thrive as role models and leaders to their peers, as well as the greater community.  cityWILD helps build skills for students to resist the potentially negative influences of their family, school, and community environments. 

 

With the assistance of The North Face’s Explore Fund grant, cityWILD offered a multitude of outdoor adventure opportunities for its student to participate in and grow from those experiences as people.  New this year included a trip to Copper Mountain and a day of training with the Copper Mountain Ski Patrol as well as an ice climbing adventure with Outer Edge Guides for older cityWILD students experienced with rock climbing.  Both experiences testing student limits and brought them new lessons on life.  And no one wants to be put back in the neck brace ski patrol used in the training!

Sep 26 | Role Models in LA :: Inspiring parents and kids to get outdoors.

By The North Face

Having had the good fortune to grow up in family that put a premium on spending quality time in the outdoors, activities such as camping, hiking and fishing were common and felt as easy and natural as riding a bike does to most kids.   Thinking about some of these great outdoor experiences I had as a kid  increased my excitement and curiosity about the trip I was about to embark on:  Traveling to the heart of south Los Angeles with my daughter Elise (5), to attend the REI and The North Face sponsored Role Models event, whose primary purpose is inspiring parents and kids to get outdoors.

 

Los Angeles greeted us with clear skies and warm temperatures and while the almost 100 degree weather felt a little stifling, I realized this is fairly typical summer weather in Los Angeles and one of the elements kids and parents face when getting outdoors in this region.  Arriving at the destination of the event, Kenneth Hahn State Park, provided the first of several pleasant surprises.  After entering the 401 acre park located just south of LA in Baldwin Hills, I was amazed how almost none of the city was visible and this definitely helped create an experience of being in the outdoors and away from civilization.

 

We received a very friendly and welcoming greeting as we entered the event and Elise quickly became excited as she saw all the tents, camping equipment, info stations and craft tables set up amongst the trees.  As the primary purpose of this Role Model event is to encourage inner city  kids to explore the outdoors, a wide range of activities were offered that would promote a fun experience while being outdoors.  Activities ranged from making and decorating a visor, building a sun catcher to learning how to set up a tent and exploring all the cooking equipment and utensils normally used when camping.

 

Most of the kids started with an activity that was in their comfort zone, like decorating a visor or making a sun catcher, then as the kids felt more comfortable in their surroundings, more outdoor focused activities began.  Talks by REI employee’s running the event ranged from wildlife you might see in the outdoors, to sun protection, to preserving and protecting the outdoors during outdoor adventures.  Conveniently the event was right next to some of the great trails running thru the park, and it was great to see the kids excitement while exploring the trails and hearing shrieks when lizards darted out in front of them.

 

Then came what turned out to be the highlight of the day for Elise and I, along with many of the kids and parents.  An REI expert gave everyone an introductory explanation of geocaching, provided us with a GPS , or as Elise later called it “a phone that helps you find stuff”, and turned us loose to search for treasures hidden throughout the park.  Who would guess that finding a container of beads or a pouch filled with post cards could be so much fun.  After finding all nine of the treasures, we took a break and feasted on some amazing tacos from a local caterer brought in for the event.

 

Elise and I also  spent time talking with Juan Martinez, who represents The North Face as an ambassador for Outdoor Exploration and was the featured The North Face representative for this event.  Juan shared his experiences growing up in South Central LA, where opportunities to explore and understand the wonder of the outdoors didn’t really exist.  Juan was able to spend time as a young adult in the Grand Teton of Montana which fostered a deep appreciation for the outdoors and lead to embarking on his current journey.  As The North Face Ambassador for Outdoor exploration and leader for the Children & Nature Networks Leaders Initiative, Juan now spends his time encouraging kids all over the country to explore and appreciate the outdoors.

 

Interacting  with Juan, it’s clear how much passion he has for promoting the outdoors, and to be reaching inner city kids in the area where he grew up and still lives made this event that much more special.  As Elise and I were traveling home after our Los Angeles adventure, it really struck me what a valuable resource people like Juan and companies like REI are in areas where getting outdoors doesn’t come naturally or easily, and what great adventures can be had even in the middle of a huge city.

 

-Paul Brown

 

GET OUTDOORS. Take Someone With You.

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