Miss Janet
08-22-2004, 02:55
I am attaching a letter that I am planning to send out very soon. It should explain what I am trying to do. I appreciate your support and your feedback!
If any of you would like to help get this off the ground, please email me soon!Miss Janet’s House www.missjanetshouse.com
220 North Elm Avenue
Erwin, Tennessee 37650
(423)743-1932
To Whom It May Concern:
The Outdoor Industry Association recently released the findings from a six year study of "human powered outdoor activities" in America. For the 6th straight year they found a significant increase in the number of people participating in hiking and backpacking. This study showed that people of all ages are spending more of their leisure time and money perusing these activities. This growing trend has many implications for service related businesses like my own which serves the many needs of day hikers, long distance backpackers and Appalachian Trail Thruhikers.
Miss Janet’s House is fast becoming one of the most popular backpacker hostels on the Appalachian Trail. My home and business are located in the heart of Erwin, Tennessee near such AT highlights as Big Bald, the Beauty Spot, Unaka Mountain and the awe inspiring Roan Highlands as well as in town favorites like the Erwin Burrito! The dependable services, hiker friendly atmosphere and the ideal location bring hundreds of hikers through my door each year. I estimate that I have assisted over 10,000 hikers with planning, shuttles, lodging and countless other needs over the past 10 years. While I am not an experienced backpacker myself, I believe that I am in a unique position to realize a need that many of these new outdoor enthusiasts have. There is a real need for basic outdoor education and guided backpacking experiences for those that are new to this outdoor activity. I feel that I am in an ideal situation to be able to provide this instruction for a number of hikers each year and I have been encouraged by many people to do so.
Miss Janet’s House will be hosting a series of backpacking workshops beginning this fall. These workshops will include a curriculum that is being designed by a panel of accomplished long distance backpackers, hiking clubs, outfitters stores, outdoor educators and many other interested organizations and individuals. The workshops will be led by highly experienced long distance backpackers and alumni AT Thruhikers and 2,000 Milers. The support for this project has been very positive and everyone agrees that the hands on, on the trail teachable moments approach, will be a great learning experience for all beginning hikers and just plain fun for everyone. I am working with the United States Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conference to obtain a special outfitters guide permit to allow parts of these classes to be conducted on the Appalachian Trail. While this application is in progress these trips will be offered at no charge to the participants and conducted by volunteer guides.
The key ingredient to making these workshops successful will be the chance for participants to utilize different kinds of equipment while out in the field. I feel that it is very important for new hikers and backpackers to have the opportunity to touch, see, feel, manipulate, taste, use, test and experience the newest and best outdoor equipment and products that are available. I would like to be able to provide some of your products designed for hiking and backpacking to the participants in these classes. I believe that these workshops would generate very willing buyers that have had the chance to see your gear demonstrated and used on the trail. While most of the people taking these workshops will have used, borrowed or outdated equipment that will suffice for the class, many will be outfitting themselves for this new outdoor activity after they complete the workshop. If a person has the chance to try a new tent, backpack or pair of hiking poles while on the trail, they will be more likely to want to buy this gear for themselves.
I am looking for gear manufactures, large and small, to help sponsor this educational effort. While I have favorite pieces of gear or personal preferences, I am not asking for particular samples, models or styles of anything. I am asking you and your company to consider what you would like these people to see and test while on the trail during these workshops. Consider the benefit from the exposure your products would have. Consider what you feel would be the most import things for beginners backpacker to have the opportunity to try. In return, I would supply your company with ongoing reviews of your products and sponsorship credit in all advertising and class materials. I would also include any of your company catalogs, brochures, product discount coupons, samples or advertising novelties that you choose to provide in the informational packet each person will receive during the class. The gear, equipment and products that you choose to provide for use in these classes would never be sold or used in any way other than for the intended purpose.
Thank you for taking the time to consider what I am proposing. I am very excited at the chance to offer these classes and demonstrate your specialized products, to people that are just getting into hiking and backpacking. I am also excited to have the chance to work more closely with people, companies, agencies and organizations that are involved in different aspects of something that has become so important to me and much more than just a business. I look forward to talking to you or your representative in the near future.
Thank you.
If any of you would like to help get this off the ground, please email me soon!Miss Janet’s House www.missjanetshouse.com
220 North Elm Avenue
Erwin, Tennessee 37650
(423)743-1932
To Whom It May Concern:
The Outdoor Industry Association recently released the findings from a six year study of "human powered outdoor activities" in America. For the 6th straight year they found a significant increase in the number of people participating in hiking and backpacking. This study showed that people of all ages are spending more of their leisure time and money perusing these activities. This growing trend has many implications for service related businesses like my own which serves the many needs of day hikers, long distance backpackers and Appalachian Trail Thruhikers.
Miss Janet’s House is fast becoming one of the most popular backpacker hostels on the Appalachian Trail. My home and business are located in the heart of Erwin, Tennessee near such AT highlights as Big Bald, the Beauty Spot, Unaka Mountain and the awe inspiring Roan Highlands as well as in town favorites like the Erwin Burrito! The dependable services, hiker friendly atmosphere and the ideal location bring hundreds of hikers through my door each year. I estimate that I have assisted over 10,000 hikers with planning, shuttles, lodging and countless other needs over the past 10 years. While I am not an experienced backpacker myself, I believe that I am in a unique position to realize a need that many of these new outdoor enthusiasts have. There is a real need for basic outdoor education and guided backpacking experiences for those that are new to this outdoor activity. I feel that I am in an ideal situation to be able to provide this instruction for a number of hikers each year and I have been encouraged by many people to do so.
Miss Janet’s House will be hosting a series of backpacking workshops beginning this fall. These workshops will include a curriculum that is being designed by a panel of accomplished long distance backpackers, hiking clubs, outfitters stores, outdoor educators and many other interested organizations and individuals. The workshops will be led by highly experienced long distance backpackers and alumni AT Thruhikers and 2,000 Milers. The support for this project has been very positive and everyone agrees that the hands on, on the trail teachable moments approach, will be a great learning experience for all beginning hikers and just plain fun for everyone. I am working with the United States Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conference to obtain a special outfitters guide permit to allow parts of these classes to be conducted on the Appalachian Trail. While this application is in progress these trips will be offered at no charge to the participants and conducted by volunteer guides.
The key ingredient to making these workshops successful will be the chance for participants to utilize different kinds of equipment while out in the field. I feel that it is very important for new hikers and backpackers to have the opportunity to touch, see, feel, manipulate, taste, use, test and experience the newest and best outdoor equipment and products that are available. I would like to be able to provide some of your products designed for hiking and backpacking to the participants in these classes. I believe that these workshops would generate very willing buyers that have had the chance to see your gear demonstrated and used on the trail. While most of the people taking these workshops will have used, borrowed or outdated equipment that will suffice for the class, many will be outfitting themselves for this new outdoor activity after they complete the workshop. If a person has the chance to try a new tent, backpack or pair of hiking poles while on the trail, they will be more likely to want to buy this gear for themselves.
I am looking for gear manufactures, large and small, to help sponsor this educational effort. While I have favorite pieces of gear or personal preferences, I am not asking for particular samples, models or styles of anything. I am asking you and your company to consider what you would like these people to see and test while on the trail during these workshops. Consider the benefit from the exposure your products would have. Consider what you feel would be the most import things for beginners backpacker to have the opportunity to try. In return, I would supply your company with ongoing reviews of your products and sponsorship credit in all advertising and class materials. I would also include any of your company catalogs, brochures, product discount coupons, samples or advertising novelties that you choose to provide in the informational packet each person will receive during the class. The gear, equipment and products that you choose to provide for use in these classes would never be sold or used in any way other than for the intended purpose.
Thank you for taking the time to consider what I am proposing. I am very excited at the chance to offer these classes and demonstrate your specialized products, to people that are just getting into hiking and backpacking. I am also excited to have the chance to work more closely with people, companies, agencies and organizations that are involved in different aspects of something that has become so important to me and much more than just a business. I look forward to talking to you or your representative in the near future.
Thank you.