The North Face

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.

Feb 04 | Jez Bragg:: Te Araroa Expedition - "The Finish Line"

By The North Face

Start: Riverton (2,988km)
Finish: Bluff (3,054km)
Distance for the day: 68km
Cumulative distance: 3,054km
Distance to Bluff: 0km

At 1601hrs on Saturday February 2nd 2013 after, 53 days 9 hours and 1 minute setting from Cape Reigna, I finally completed my long journey down the Te Araroa trail, arriving in Bluff – lands end on the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. Gathered there waiting were my crew, Mark & James, my wife Gemma, my mum and my mother-in-law, Hilary.

Damiano from the Storyteller Collective was there capturing the moment on photo and video, just has he done so magnificently throughout the expedition. They sprayed me with champagne and we danced around the landmark yellow finger post like we’d just won the lottery. There were bystanders around too, probably wondering what the heck was going on, but none of us gave a hoot. It was raw emotion for me; all my heart and soul, sweat and tears, had been put into realizing this moment, and it almost happened too suddenly to take it all in. I’ve been a robotic state for most of the time since I started – in my own little bubble – and I think it’s going to take several days to snap out of it. My body is also going to want to know what the heck is going on when I don’t run tomorrow; so I think some wind down jogging/ walking is going to be important.

So how did the day unfold? Well in the usual manner really. A 5am alarm call felt a wee bit harsh as we had all been up late last night – I only got in from the trail at 9.30pm – but there was a nice buzz in the air from the thought of the finish. It was exciting to think about the day ahead, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get out the campervan door with so much cumulative fatigue in my legs, not to mention the mental tiredness. But once out, and 10 minutes or so up the road, everything started to warm up and then we were away. The sky this morning was incredible, the colors rich and colorful, before the sun eventually rose from the sea and brought the day to life. Once through Riveton, the route was straight on to the beach for 25km around a nicely curved, sandy bay, and it was a lovely spell for solitude and reflection which was exactly what I needed after many weeks of relentless and intense running. The running was far from easy with a mixture of sand and shingle, but I felt strong from thoughts of the finish and kept moving on at decent pace.

From the end of the beach it was on to the road all the way through to the outskirts of Bluff, skirting to the west of Invercargill, most of it on the shoulder of Highway 1. It wasn’t all that much fun and the tarmac was unforgiving underfoot, causing further soreness in my feet and ankles. But the soreness wasn’t really occupying my thoughts, it was more occupied with thoughts about finishing. I had music on the go to help switch off, but it seemed to bring on regular emotional streaks where I was breaking into tears. I’ve said before that this run has worn me down and exposed my inner emotions, and there were so many examples of that today.

By lunchtime at 1.15pm I had 50km under my belt, and thoughts of a mid-afternoon finish were starting to get muted. I didn’t really stop long for lunch, I just wanted to get the job done, so it was straight back on the road through to the outskirts of Bluff. So all that was left was a 7km stretch of trail around the Bluff peninsula to the Stirling Point fingerpost, the official finish to the trail. The first 3km of this section was rough running through long grass from marker post to marker post, but then I hit the millennium trail, and nicely graded gravel track leading all the way to the finish. It was a real blast. No tomorrow to save myself for, nothing to lose, no reason to hold back. But no time to really prepare myself for stopping; that’s the bit which is going to feel very strange.

We’re now sitting in the communal room of Bluff campsite, sharing photos, drinking cider and beer, and starting to reflect and share the memories. Where do you start? I’ve spent 53 days reflecting, and now I need time to reflect. Work that one out – very strange. But one thing I know I will be doing for sure is taking a week’s holiday with my wonderfully supportive wife. I feel like the luckiest man alive….

It’s hardly suffice, but just initially I want to say a massive thank you to my incredible support guys, James and Mark. They have given up nine weeks of their life to support me with this expedition and words can’t express how grateful I am to them both for what they have done. It is with great sadness that this team will split up from tomorrow – it really has been an incredible team effort – I have just been fronting it.

I hope to share some of my reflections about the expedition as a whole over the coming days. I too don’t want it to stop, so I will get a few more posts out.

And finally a big thank you to everyone who has followed my journey and provided so many supportive comments and feedback. I hope you have enjoyed it all as much as I have.

Jan 07 | Featured Philanthropy :: Protect Our Winters

By The North Face

Protect Our Winters was founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones to address the gap between the effects that climate change was already having in our mountains and the action being taken by the snow sports community to fight it. Winter sports is a $66 billion industry that supports over 211,000 jobs in our local mountain communities - so to us, climate change is serious business. Without a stable climate, our industry, our jobs, the economies of mountain communities everywhere and the valued lifestyle of winter will be gone.

As we start a new year, it's our goal to continue our work teaching high school students about the effects of climate change, how important it is for them to appreciate and protect the outdoors and to become the next generation of environmental leaders. In our community, professional athletes are the greatest influencers, and to have athletes such as Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Ingrid Backstrom and Nick Martini meet and talk to students about climate change and the environment is once of the most powerful ways to inspire them to really get involved. Our young students are the ones who are going to find themselves directly feeling the effects of climate change, so it's our responsibility to provide them with the tools to get involved now.

To learn more about The North Face partnership with Protect Our Winters check out: http://protectourwinters.org/programs

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

               Kit DesLauriers shares her stories of witnessing climate change first hand at a Bay Area elementary school.

               

                Nick Martini talks with a Denver Highschool student about starting an environmental club at his school.

                Sage Cattabrigga-Alosa pumps up the crowd in Salt Lake City

Dec 06 | Stephanie Howe - The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship GORE-TEX 50 Mile Race Report

By The North Face

Wow, what a day! I cannot express in words how unbelievably happy I was with my race. To finish the season with such a high despite the set back I had this fall was amazing! I could not have been more excited!

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photos

The race was epic in so many ways. It was pouring rain, muddy, foggy, and windy theentire race. In a way it took a little edge off racing and more focus on just trying to stay upright in the mud. I actually had a blast racing and found myself smiling during most of the race. I think attitude is really important in a race like this. I would have been really easy to get upset because the conditions were so bad, but it would have negatively affected my race. I tend to do well in races with adverse conditions because I keep a good attitude. I kept thinking to myself while I was racing "how cool is it that I'm outside, running right now?" 

Photo Credit: The North Face

Early Blur | Photo Credit: The North Face

The starting line, as always at a North Face Endurance Challenge, was full of energy and excitement. Despite the conditions, runners were laughing and smiling; excited to take on this challenge.

The first few miles were a nice easy warm up. It was really hard to see much with all the rain and fog, so it was easy to start conservatively. I felt really good as I settled in to the first long climb at a steady, rhythmic pace. It was so quiet and zen like and things were going really well. I had a good feeling about my race.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photos

After a few hours the sun came up it started to get light out and I found finally see what was around me. I had no idea what place I was in, and I didn't really care. I was determined to run my own race and have fun while doing it. I just focused on taking care of myself and trying to fuel every 20 minutes or so. In the past I've waited too long to start taking gels and ended up paying for it later. This race I made a point to start early and to keep it up throughout the race. I tried to get at least 2 gels down each hour.

After passing through Muir beach aid station (mile 13 ) I got a split that I was in third place. I knew that I was feeling good, but I had no idea I was doing that well. Although I was excited, I didn't change anything. There was a lot of running left to do, and I didn't want to get overzealous.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photo

Near the end of the first lap and I caught and passed Emelie [Forsberg], and moved into 2nd place. As we lapped through, I picked up my pacer and (slowly) started chasing down Maud [Gobert], who was leading. Emelie and I caught Maud at about the same point, and the three of us jockeyed for position over the next couple miles. Near the top of a climb, Emelie took the lead and started to gap the two of us a bit. Still, I kept my steady pace. I was more interested in feeling good toward the end than busting my butt mid-race to maintain contact with Emelie.

Somehow in the mix of chaos at one of the aid stations I lost my pacer. It was actually a good thing because I was able to pick her up again later in the race. This allowed me to really focus on what I was doing. I tried to make some small talk with Maud and her pacer, but quickly found out they spoke French (I had no idea).

The last 5 miles of the race were tough. I was starting to fatigue and really wanted to finish. I had closed the gap to less than a minute from the lead. As I passed through the aid station before the last 5 miles, I picked up my pacer again. Also, one of my teammates Jordan McDougal, was near me and slowed down to help pull me along. I could see Emelie and her pacer, Anna Frost, on the climb and tried my best to chase them down.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photo

As we approached the road at the last mile I knew I wasn't going to catch the lead. But I didn't care. I was so STOKED that I was in second. As we neared the finish line I could hear the energy of the crowd gathered despite the rain! It was so cool to see so many people out supporting the race.

As I rounded the corner and entered the finish shoot I had a big grin on my face. I was SO happy!!!

I crossed the finish line, totally spent and totally happy. The first person to congratulate me was Emelie, and I gave her a big hug. I was so impressed with her strength near the end of the race. She is one tough girl!

Congratulating Emelie at the finish |Photo Credit: Brett Rivers, San Francisco Running Company

I really have to thank my pacer for helping me endure the last few miles and remind Jordan that although I really appreciated his help, next race he had better not run with me :) I also really have to thank The North Face crew, they worked so hard to pull this race off. Lots of hard work and long hours went into making this event happen. I was so impressed with how they handled the situation when the weather threatened to cancel the race. It takes quite a team effort to pull off such a great event. THANK YOU!

Wow. I'm still blown away by my race. It was such a great day! I look forward to more races in the future…….AFTER a much needed break to ski, relax, and drink some hot cocoa.

For more details of Stephanie's podium-earning performance, check out the post-race interview with iRunFar, or the full  TNF 50 miler iRunFar recap.

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.

Role Models is about sharing your passion for the outdoors with others.  Make a pledge to help inspire the next generation of explorers and you could win the latest gear from The North Face

TAKE THE PLEDGE HERE

 

 

 

Sep 24 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: Grand Teton National Park Foundation

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for Fall and Winter grants are open until October 8th.

The North Face Explore Fund has supported Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s Youth Conservation Program (YCP) since 2011.  The Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park's treasured resources. Since 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation has raised more than $20 million for education-based capital projects, work and learn programs that reconnect youth to nature, and wildlife research and protection efforts.

In June 2012, YCP began its seventh season as an education, stewardship, and employment opportunity for teens that provides much-needed maintenance on heavily used park trails and historic sites within Grand Teton National Park.  This program connects with youth at a critical phase of their career exploration and development, introducing them to the concept of stewardship and educating them about job opportunities within the National Park Service (NPS).  Since 2006, the program has enabled a summer of working, earning and learning in Grand Teton for over 120 youth from around the United States, ranging in age from 16 to 19 years.   These youth have contributed over 48,000 hours of much-needed work in Grand Teton to date.

 

In a report titled A Call to Action, the National Park Service outlined formal priorities for its next 100 years.  The report discuses the challenges, opportunities, and innovations surrounding land preservation and the importance of reconnecting families, particularly youth, to nature.  The Youth Conservation Program closely aligns with A Call to Action’s goal of connecting children to the environment and promoting community-based conservation solutions.  Applications for the 2013 program will be available in January and are due in March.  Join Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s eNewsletter list, here, to receive an update when applications are available. 

 

Many thanks to The North Face’s Explore Fund for supporting our efforts to connect today’s youth to nature!

We think of all of our Explore Fund grantees as Role Models.  Take the pledge and to share your passion for the outdoors with others and you could be entered to win a Travelocity Trip to the Bay Area to meet athletes from The North Face team! apps.facebook.com/tnfrolemodels