WILD

WILD is coming up on its 6 month anniversary in the next two weeks or so. To put this in perspective, the first note in my notebook about this idea is dated Feb 5 2007 -- and that is all that is was then. Nothing but a note.
Inspired more by 826 than anything, I decided I was going to try to start an organization loosely based on 826, but targeted at getting kids outside. I can still remember running in the park a few days later and deciding on the name WILD (I had been desperately trying to figure out some acronym and Wilderness Introductions for Learning and Development just popped in).

So what has happened since then? Well...

• I have incoporated in the State of Oregon and registered with the State DoJ.
• I am battling my way through the 501(c)3 paperwork for the IRS
• I have set up the (simple) blog
• And most magically, I have managed to hit some *real* milestones:
• There has been over 150 young Portland adventurers out on WILD adventures! (My initial goal was a high end of 50 adventurers)
• We have been geocaching, hiking the gorge, bird watching, finding snakes, dining behind waterfalls and watching the salmon migrate up the Columbia River
• In partnership with Portland Impact, WILD has planned and participated in weekly Nature outings for a 9 week summer camp
• We have set up early partnerships with the outreach folks at REI Portland and have had multiple Leave No Trace presentations for kids at the store
• Got some great encouragement (the Parks folks at Metro)
• Was on the sharp end of some "constructive criticism" (no names though!)
• Had some folks show some great belief (Portland Impact)

 But most of all, it has been a wonderfully exciting journey.
There are lots of words to use: invigorating, inspiring, exciting, enlightening.

But the best way to say it --- it has been so much fun to be playing outside with kids.

Be WILD -- it's worth it (trust me).

Posted by ronanmc at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

So while the blog has been quiet over the last few weeks, it is not due to a lack of activity. It has been pretty hectic "behind the scenes".

We have completed our paperwork to finalize our incorporation with the state -- and next is our 501 (c) 3 application with the IRS. So WILD is an official entity recognized by the state (If you feel as excited as I do -- click here).
That plus our federal employer ID number means we are inching closer to legitimacy!

We have had some wonderfully receptive meetings with various organizations too. We have 2 - 3 preschools in east Portland who are willing to have us work on some WILD adventures for their schools, and we had a meeting with the great folks over at Portland Impact and we will try to partner with them to plan and organize WILD adventures for their upcoming summer camp (with a potential to form a longer term WILD club or something similar).

Based on these meetings we have already exceeded our 6 month goals! This gives us the opportunity to plan and coordinate activities for up to 150 kids in the Portland area!
And it seems the more folks we talk to - the greater demand materializes!

And now with some pending discussions with potential sponsors and various foundations, we are even more excited about some of the services we may be able to offer in the future! (More about these as we get closer to finalizing details).

We attended an engaging and informative talk, hosted by Thomas Doherty earlier this week. The focus was a review of recent studies that have highlighted the impact that being outdoors can have on kids with ADHD. It was refreshing to be part of an active discussion on this topic and to see the work that has been (and continues to be) compiled on this topic.

All in all, it has been great to get the reactions we have received. It gives us the ability to refine our model and most importantly, gives us the belief that what we are trying to do is a worthwhile and in-demand service!

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to listen, help and engage in our discussions!

Posted by ronanmc at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)