FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Salt Lake City, UT, January 24, 2008 " Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced that Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) is a finalist for the 2008 Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award, as nominated by the outdoor industry and then selected by OIA’s Board of Directors. The award winners were announced at the Industry Breakfast on Thursday, January 24, 2008, which kicks off the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award recognizes a company that has made significant and ongoing achievements toward the growth of participation in outdoor activities. Those efforts could include spearheading conservation programs, the development and support of programs or efforts intended to serve as model practices for the industry, the introduction and advancement of responsible tourism practices, outstanding consumer outreach campaigns, or strides in encouraging youth to develop an active outdoor lifestyle. This award pays tribute to a company that has embraced a worthy cause and made a significant achievement. The finalists include Adventure Cycling Association, Bay Area Wilderness Training, Great Outdoor Provision Company, Mountain Gear, Sierra Club, and The Coleman Company. Previous recipients of the OIA Ambassador Award include Atlas Snow-Shoe Co., Backpacker magazine, and River Sports Outfitters.
“We’re honored to be named a finalist for the Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award” said Kyle MacDonald, Bay Area Wilderness Training Founder and CEO. “Our partnership with the outdoor industry allows BAWT create opportunities for at-risk youth to see the Milky Way or the mountains for the first time. We are deeply indebted to our industry sponsors for supporting us in our life-affirming work of getting kids into the wilderness.”
BAWT’s mission is simple: to provide Bay Area youth service organizations with professional wilderness-leadership training and quality outdoor equipment, so these adult leaders may safely lead youth in exploring the power and beauty of California’s wilderness. Since 1999, BAWT has served over 5,000 youth.
BAWT’s corporate sponsors are leaders in the outdoor industry, including Auclair, Atlas Snow-Shoe Co., Big Agnes, Clif Bar, Columbia, Gregory Mountain Products, Gu Sports, Julbo, Leki USA, Merrell, Outdoor Research, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Princeton Tec, Teva, and Timberland.
“Our corporate sponsor support is also essential to the success of our Climbing for Kids™ benefit climb program,” states MacDonald. “They generously provide over $1,500 of free gear that each Climbing for Kids participant keeps after they join BAWT on a professionally guided climb on one of six amazing mountains.”
About BAWT
Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT), a non-profit project of San Francisco’s Earth Island Institute, facilitates outdoor experiences for youth in the greater Bay Area. BAWT provides professional training courses for adult youth workers in skills necessary to conduct safe, high quality wilderness trips for the young people they serve and a comprehensive library of outdoor gear leaders can utilize to outfit their trips free of charge. BAWT has served over 5,000 youth since their founding in 1999. For more information, contact Kyle Macdonald at (415) 788-3666 ext.125 or visit the Bay Area Wilderness Training Web site at www.bawt.org.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous, Outdoor University, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303-444-3353.
PRESS RELEASE CONTACTS:
Kyle MacDonald, Founder and CEO
Bay Area Wilderness Training
415-788-3666 x125
kylemac@bawt.org
Ann Obenchain, VP Member Services & Marketing
Outdoor Industry Association
303-327-3514
aobenchain@outdoorindustry.org
Contributed by Stacy Chu