Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Outdoor Nation

 So yet again I had an awesome opportunity to be sponsored by Merrell to attend Outdoor Nation's Minneapolis, MN annual summit, which (if you don't know) is pretty freaking sweet! And talk about a follow-up for Merrell and the folks at ON, I get my annual amount of stoke last year at my first summit and get a chance to explode that experience as an alumni of ON. Not to mention the great hospitality and care that both parties took to ensure my awesome time. So for those of you who are all like, "what is this ON thing and who is Merrell?" ... here's a quick bio on both.

Outdoor Nation
~Created by The Outdoor Foundation and a diverse coalition of partners, Outdoor Nation helps inspire millennial leaders to reconnect their generation to the outdoors.
Mission
To empower the millennial generation -- artists, athletes, advocates and ambassadors -- to champion the outdoors and build a strong Outdoor Nation.
Company Overview
A growing community of outdoor activists -- artists, athletes, advocates and ambassadors -- who join together to champion the outdoors. This millennial-led movement will reclaim, redefine and rediscover the outdoors – building an Outdoor Nation for future generations.
If you want to know more about Outdoor Nation please visit their website linked above!
*Via Outdoor Nation's Facebook Page*

Merrell began in 1981 when Randy Merrell began making boots to custom fit his feet. When he started making them for others his customers raved that they were the best boots in the world. Since then, publications and people like Backpacker Magazine has named Merrell's products some of (and THE in some cases) best products in the world. Merrell has also since partnered with several outdoor organizations and sponsored races as well as individuals in outdoor endeavors to share the love of the outdoors. They run a blog and have just introduced "The Pack" which is an Alpha group of outsiders giving info and tips to others who strive to champion outdoor challenges and seek the essence of what it is to be outdoors. Here's a bit of a company timeline...
1981 — Randy Merrell's Boots
1989 — Merrell Goes Global
1995 — Vibram® Brings New Sole to Merrell Footwear
2004 — Team Merrell Founded by Robyn Benincasa
2006 — Merrell Apparel Launched
2011 — Turning 30, launching Origins
~Merrell says the future isn't going to keep them standing still and that there are more great products on the way.
*via Merrell's Webpage*

So let's get started with the experience. I got my notice that I'd be flying up as a Merrell Delegate for Outdoor Nation about a week before the summit, which was pretty radical since I had been planning on just going on my own in the first place. As before my flight, hotel accommodations, and gear would be taken care of by the good folks at Merrell (also awesome). I packed up Friday morning and finished my lab-work (gotta do well in school!), and since my sister and my niece had offered to drop me off at the airport I offered to buy them lunch... However, I'm not always the greatest at knowing when I need to be someplace, I'm almost always late... so I missed my flight.


Panicking a bit I immediately ran to an airport employee and asked them to help me get on another flight. That took about two minutes, I spent more time worrying about it than it was worth worrying about! Flight changed, I said tootles to my sister and niece and headed out. Now I'm not a big fan of flying big commercial airlines, I like flying, I just don't like being along for the ride with some pilot I've never meet. But I sucked it up, sucked down a beer (cheers Wisconsin), and climbed aboard. We landed, myself intact, in Minneapolis, MN. I grabbed a shuttle to my hotel, checked in, and went to my room to clean up. Luckily through my travels I've gotten to know many a good people throughout this fair land we call the US, so I called up a couple of friends in the area to grab some dinner, hike, and get some drinks. Wound up doing all that in excess, had a blast, and had a nice two mile walk back to my hotel passing some of the old sites I used to know when I lived up near Minneapolis.

I awoke the next morning with fiery breath, wretched aches, and a foul stomach... reminders of the fun I had the night before. I had found out the previous night my fellow Merrell Delegate Logan Roberts was staying at the same hotel as I was, so we had made plans to meet for breakfast before the summit. Bags packed we drove over to the University of Minnesota just across the bank of the Mississippi River only getting a little lost (apparently my knowledge of the city wasn't as good as I remember it being).

As we came into the university we saw several of our ON members walking in and we got to talking and introductions as we rode the elevator. As everyone arrived we all came together to get to know each other and welcome everyone to the summit. We started with a game where you took pieces of Toilet Paper for the weekend's campout (as much as you needed to survive for the weekend), then where surprised when they told us that we had to introduce ourselves and give one fact for every piece of paper we had as a ice breaker! Many people took several pieces and much to explain... But me... well, I came prepared and had a roll in my backpack (because a good hiker never forgets the TP!) so I only took two pieces... It felt like cheating so I gave a good fact and introduced myself as thoroughly as I could.


Since this summit was bit shorter than the last one we had to get right down to business. ON had members of the Mobilize people introduced themselves and gave us a rundown of how they would help us achieve our work and goals for the weekend. We started talking about why we where there and what we could do. Groups split up and started brainstorming how we could get people outside and how we could use funding from ON to work this dream out.

I was with a group of high school students (from the SEAK program) along with my Merrell delegate partner, we both thought this would be a great opportunity for these youth to experience a leadership role and told them to take the reins and steer the project. They were all from a group called SEAK which was an outdoor education program which took an after school and weekend approach to learning outdoors and seeking natural spaces. They had a lot of good ideas and we eventually carved away at the big idea to make a specific goal to reach with our possible funding. But by this time we were all getting hungry... and some of us... due to the shenanigans the night before... where nursing other aches of our own. So, lunch was served! Thanks to the great people at the University of Minnesota we had great boxed lunches, they also kept the coffee flowing all day (which I was particularly grateful for).

After lunch we took a moment to step outside to stretch, meet new people (and some old friends), as well as discuss our approach to the event. I was mighty surprised at how many people at the summit either I remembered, or they remembered me, from the previous year or had known me prior (to O.N.) and hadn't seen me in years. Of course it was fantastic and incredibly inspiring to see and speak with the ON coordinating team and friends who all came together to do something great for future generations and the outdoors. I hope that my participation with this group continues for years to come and that I can have a positive impact on future generations of outsiders.


Since we had a planned adventure ahead of us in the afternoon and evening we got back with our groups after our stretch and continued working on our projects with new info and outlooks to consider. Eventually though we all got a little ansty, and were already pretty excited about getting out of the indoors to camp out at Fort Snelling State Park! So we wrapped up our thoughts, packed up our gear, and headed out to the park! Upon arrival we were surprised with by Pete Athens (known as Mr. Everest) who talked to us about travel trek and how to use orienteering skills. We took a hike around the park to test our skills and finally get some play time in! While it was mostly guided and we had a Geo-cache to find, several of the other members decided it was a good time to just take a hike and let their spirits loose a bit. The chill of fall in the northern Midwest wasn't even close to dampening our spirits as we finished our walk and gathered at the pavilion for dinner, which was catered and mighty mighty delicious. I brought my slackline with me to share with others since it's a great lifestyle sport and most everyone can at least try it and have some fun. Although, at the airport, I did have to go through the "secondary inspection" area both on the way out and back... apparently a slackline (and tent, sleeping bag, etc.) in a carry-on bag isn't what most TSA authorities are used to seeing...

When we had finished dinner we all gathered 'round the fireplace in the pavilion to listen to some inspirational words from our guide Pete Athens and, outdoor education success story, Juan Martinez! Now I had the chance to hear Juan's story last year when he spoke at the ON (Minneapolis, MN) summit, and he is one of those guys who sticks with you after you meet him. I have shared his story with so many people and used his life as motivation to move myself forward and share my love of the outdoors with others. And you know he's a solid dude because as he and I were walking and talking he totally remembered who I was and what I was all about! I mean, I meet the guy once (and I must have made an impression) and a year later with no contact during the year and we talk as if we had just seen each other yesterday! I encourage all of you to go check out his story and cause, if not for your own benefit then to share it with others and inspire them. Pete Athens gave a top notch story time regaling us with tales of mountains, historical caves, long lost civilizations, and his current project to help bring literacy and library materials to villages in Nepal (“Magic Yeti Library” project).

What really gets me about Pete is the way he speaks and flows through life. He speaks with such a calm and warm tone in his voice, he walks as if he floats over the ground he's on, and (from what I could tell) the way he views the world around him is so open and serene... there's a very good spiritual feeling you get when you are around him. I also encourage everyone to check out his work and story as well as, if you can, donate your time or dollar to help others in the world become more. I can't say enough about both of these guys and it has been a real honor and pleasure to be able to meet and get to know them.

By this time it was dark and getting pretty chilly. While many of the group had brought what was needed to survive the weather, not everyone was expecting this weather or had enough to stay warm for the night. Luckily this wasn't the first rodeo for ON and Ivan made the decision that we would spend the night in a hotel. And I have to say, what a place, even at the last minute they found more than reasonable accommodations for everyone. I stopped by the bar and had a drink after finding my room, and I wasn't the only one who had that idea. Sitting down with various ON members we discussed the day, our sponsors, adventures, ideals, and what we hoped would come of this whole venture. And yet again I found people I will remember forever and hopefully will get a chance to snag an adventure with, sooner rather than later hopefully. Next stop was the hot tub (mojito in hand, go brain power) to think about my groups project which would be wrapped up the next day, I hoped my group would be able to really take it and be movers and shakers. A couple more drinks, a pizza, and lots of good conversation with my ON members I hit the hay confident and excited about the wrap-up that would take place tomorrow.
I'm not great in the morning, kind of a bear I am... So when I woke up seeing I had 20 minutes to get packed, dressed, and ready I was sort of moody. I did have time to grab a coffee, suck it down, and still fall asleep on the bus to the University of Minnesota. ON and the U served breakfast and once again kept the coffee and tea flowing all day. We ran with our projects and continued to hammer out details and revise ideas. My group's final project was skit describing our project and the need for it. My role, possibly one of the most important, was to be a 6 year old kid who was excited about the outdoors. I'm still waiting for my nomination for my Oscar but who knows when that will get to me. Every group that presented their project was amazing. Whether it was a skit or informational presentation (and some where hilarious!) every group had a fantastic idea on how to use funds from Outdoor Nation to get more people outside.

When concluded we rated the projects and showed our support for those we thought would be most likely to succeed. I have to say it was indeed tough to separate my opinions on which idea or program was better than the others... so I didn't, I just supported them all! Yeah it's a bit of a fluff vote but honestly any way we can help others get outside to enjoy the natural wonders of this planet is a good idea to me! In the end several projects where chosen to receive primary funding, well deserved I say, but ON surprised us all by awarding everyone some amount of funding to get their projects rolling! How cool!


Before we left ON had a great panel of outsiders from the workforce (such as the National Parks Service, Conservation Corps, North Face Ambassadors, and local outsiders making an impact in our communities. This was great for some of the older participants who were working to the end of their educations and trying to find work in the outdoors. Even I had to take full advantage of being able to personally meet with these representatives and ask questions as well as find opportunities I never knew where out there. While I am thrilled with guiding and doing what I do now I know I won't forever be able to continue risking myself. Hopefully when I reach the time when I need to make a change the relationships I've made and the friends I now have will still be there. Either way I'm excited about the different opportunities that await in the outdoor community.

As we all packed up and began to part ways, many of us hung back for a bit because we had such good mojo we just didn't want to leave... it's an infectious thing when you meet like-minded people at events like this. You can cultivate ideas, friendships, mindsets, and adventures in a weekend which will last you a lifetime in memory. I know with those whom I shared time and my soul with will be there when I come a callin' for a hike up a peak or tag them in a photo, and I hope they know I will be there when they want to go. It's an odd thing leaving something you love so much, but I think knowing you will be back one day makes it easier as well as the great memories that keep you jived until the next time you get to make more.


This is exactly why I love working with Outdoor Nation. They are the outdoor minded and eco-concious people who just want to share the importance of nature with everyone. They give funding, lectures, workshops, adventure days, inspiration, and more. They care about the planet, it's inhabitants, and realize the need to have natural spaces to get out and play in. In short, these are my people. I haven't continued my support or work with them for nothing, it's because we share a fantastic ideal and passion for nature and all it has to offer. The outdoor community is wonderful, it takes care of ti's own more than any other industry I have ever seen. And I know I will be just the same, my love for the outdoors is my life passion, and any opportunity I get to share that will be one I will follow through with. I strongly encourage those who share my love of the outdoors to seek out these opportunities, attend a Outdoor Nation Summit, shake the hand of an idol, seek adventure, and share those experiences with others so that they can be inspired as you and I are.



I look forward to next year's summit, working with ON and Merrell, as well as seeing fresh new faces to welcome into the outdoors. Thanks to both organizations for their support and sponsorship, I am proud to be an outsider, Merrell Delegate, and part of the Outdoor Nation. Cheers, beers, and the great outdoors!

~Michael 'EcoHiker' Defenbaugh

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