Almost There
09-02-2009, 09:27
September 2nd, 2009
Mountain Xings Squared
Hi All!
Most of you know me only as Almost There, and some of you know me by my actual name, Dave Greenstein. A few months back I came onto Whiteblaze with the announcement that I would be starting a non-profit dedicated to Wilderness Youth Education.
Today I can say we are one step away from making that dream a reality. In July Winton Porter of Mountain Crossings jumped on board with me as a co-founder of MX Squared, A Wilderness Youth Experience.
We hope to roll out our pilot program beginning sometime during the second half of 2010. Our mission begins with the simple idea of social change. For years youth have been gravitating to more sedentary leisure activiities, and away from active outdoor exercise. It is our hope to reverse that trend by engaging youth in programming that will get them out into the wilderness.
Below is an outline of a vision that we will pilot in the Atlanta/North Georgia area with plans to begin going national in a few short years.
Education:
Reach out to schools, youth groups, and college hiking/environmental clubs to engage them in introducing youth to the trail. Develop the programs and curriculum to make this happen. Early focus would be on students ranging from middle school to high school(12yrs to 18yrs). We have already begun working with PE teachers to introduce Outdoor Education classes in the high schools, and we also hope to offer workshops where these teachers can earn credit towards recertification.
Scholarships:
MX Squared will establish a scholarship fund to encourage young people to go into professions that will benefit the trails/wilderness of America. This will also help to secure college students as volunteers to help with the organizations mission.
Trail Experience:
Research of the ATC's "A Trail to Every Classroom" has shown us that in the Franklin area of North Carolina 5th and 6th graders get the opportunity to take a 2 mile hike on the AT. We hope to engage and partner with the ATC to further their youth outreach ambitions by engaging youth with backpacking trips out on the trail(Anywherer from an overnight to a 12 day, 108 mile hike). Preliminary plans would take these youth on a hike from Woody Gap to Neel's Gap, with a night spent at Woods Hole Shelter. Food, Gear, and Shuttles would be provided for a fee early on, and youth would have the opportunity to learn not only about the trail, but gear and trip planning as well. Plans are also in the works for other hike locations, and as stated above, longer hikes for youth who have some experience on the trail, or for those that have already participated in the introductory trip. We are also in the process of securing a campground location that we will be able to use as a gathering/education center.
Volunteerism:
Partner with local trail organizations to give teens the opportunity to get out and volunteer on work trips. The aging membership of many organizations makes this a necessity if the AT(and other trails) is to continue to receive the stellar care that has made it what it is today.
Public Activism:
Increase awareness of trail issues as they pertain to youth. Focus on developing youth programming that can be used at the many wilderness/trail conferences and gatherings. Establish a National Youth Trail Days.
We are now working on our 501c(3) application and hope to file for IRS non-profit status this month, however the costs for doing this are not cheap, and our ability to raise funds is limited until we achieve tax-exempt status. We have already begun working on several grants and fellowships, and have put forth a few thousand dollars of our own money to date.
I have always known the backpacking community and WB members to be both caring and giving individuals. We have secured 2/3rds of the funding required for this final step, but we need help with the rest.
Whatever people can give would help and be very appreciated. Even if it is only $5 it would help immensely, and if not then perhaps you can volunteer with us some time in the future!
People can currently send donations one of two ways:
You can send cash or a check made out to MX Squared, Inc. at the following address:
MX Squared, Inc.
1608 Landing Court
Woodstock, GA 30188
Or you can send your donation via Paypal to gree2250@bellsouth.net
We are in the process of getting our website up and running, and at that time our email address will change.
In all cases please let us know who you are! We want to be able to thank all those who help us. Also let us know if you want a tax-exempt receipt. We can issue these retroactively once we receive our determination letter from the IRS.
Thank You from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read through this. I hope to hear from some of you.
Dave Greenstein
Executive Director
MX Squared, Inc.
Mountain Xings Squared
Hi All!
Most of you know me only as Almost There, and some of you know me by my actual name, Dave Greenstein. A few months back I came onto Whiteblaze with the announcement that I would be starting a non-profit dedicated to Wilderness Youth Education.
Today I can say we are one step away from making that dream a reality. In July Winton Porter of Mountain Crossings jumped on board with me as a co-founder of MX Squared, A Wilderness Youth Experience.
We hope to roll out our pilot program beginning sometime during the second half of 2010. Our mission begins with the simple idea of social change. For years youth have been gravitating to more sedentary leisure activiities, and away from active outdoor exercise. It is our hope to reverse that trend by engaging youth in programming that will get them out into the wilderness.
Below is an outline of a vision that we will pilot in the Atlanta/North Georgia area with plans to begin going national in a few short years.
Education:
Reach out to schools, youth groups, and college hiking/environmental clubs to engage them in introducing youth to the trail. Develop the programs and curriculum to make this happen. Early focus would be on students ranging from middle school to high school(12yrs to 18yrs). We have already begun working with PE teachers to introduce Outdoor Education classes in the high schools, and we also hope to offer workshops where these teachers can earn credit towards recertification.
Scholarships:
MX Squared will establish a scholarship fund to encourage young people to go into professions that will benefit the trails/wilderness of America. This will also help to secure college students as volunteers to help with the organizations mission.
Trail Experience:
Research of the ATC's "A Trail to Every Classroom" has shown us that in the Franklin area of North Carolina 5th and 6th graders get the opportunity to take a 2 mile hike on the AT. We hope to engage and partner with the ATC to further their youth outreach ambitions by engaging youth with backpacking trips out on the trail(Anywherer from an overnight to a 12 day, 108 mile hike). Preliminary plans would take these youth on a hike from Woody Gap to Neel's Gap, with a night spent at Woods Hole Shelter. Food, Gear, and Shuttles would be provided for a fee early on, and youth would have the opportunity to learn not only about the trail, but gear and trip planning as well. Plans are also in the works for other hike locations, and as stated above, longer hikes for youth who have some experience on the trail, or for those that have already participated in the introductory trip. We are also in the process of securing a campground location that we will be able to use as a gathering/education center.
Volunteerism:
Partner with local trail organizations to give teens the opportunity to get out and volunteer on work trips. The aging membership of many organizations makes this a necessity if the AT(and other trails) is to continue to receive the stellar care that has made it what it is today.
Public Activism:
Increase awareness of trail issues as they pertain to youth. Focus on developing youth programming that can be used at the many wilderness/trail conferences and gatherings. Establish a National Youth Trail Days.
We are now working on our 501c(3) application and hope to file for IRS non-profit status this month, however the costs for doing this are not cheap, and our ability to raise funds is limited until we achieve tax-exempt status. We have already begun working on several grants and fellowships, and have put forth a few thousand dollars of our own money to date.
I have always known the backpacking community and WB members to be both caring and giving individuals. We have secured 2/3rds of the funding required for this final step, but we need help with the rest.
Whatever people can give would help and be very appreciated. Even if it is only $5 it would help immensely, and if not then perhaps you can volunteer with us some time in the future!
People can currently send donations one of two ways:
You can send cash or a check made out to MX Squared, Inc. at the following address:
MX Squared, Inc.
1608 Landing Court
Woodstock, GA 30188
Or you can send your donation via Paypal to gree2250@bellsouth.net
We are in the process of getting our website up and running, and at that time our email address will change.
In all cases please let us know who you are! We want to be able to thank all those who help us. Also let us know if you want a tax-exempt receipt. We can issue these retroactively once we receive our determination letter from the IRS.
Thank You from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read through this. I hope to hear from some of you.
Dave Greenstein
Executive Director
MX Squared, Inc.