Following the Coombs Path
Old Bill’s Giving starts now!
Local youth follow the Coombs Path to adventure, confidence, and belonging. Support their journey - give through Old Bill’s this season.
Dear Friends,
August has arrived and with it comes the beginning of the Old Bill’s Fun Run giving season. As a nonprofit in Jackson Hole, we feel so fortunate to have a community-wide event that provides us with the opportunity to tell our story, celebrate our successes, and be a recipient of the incredible generosity of this philanthropically spirited town.
This Old Bill’s season we are looking forward to sharing stories from “the Coombs Path” with you. Young Coombs participants start their journey with us in Activate programs where they are introduced to activities such as alpine and Nordic skiing, hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, and car camping. Activate programs provide a safe space for children in grades K-5 to try new things, learn to feel welcome and included in outdoor recreation, and fall in love with nature.
Middle schoolers gain momentum along the Path through our Engage programs which focus on skill building, mentorship, and building the confidence and knowledge needed to be independent recreators. Engage participants are provided with the gear and guidance necessary to excel at skiing or snowboarding, kayaking, backpacking, climbing, trail running, mountain biking and more. Engage programs create opportunities that help middle schoolers build confidence and feel like they belong at school and to this community by providing them with similar experiences, equipment and opportunities as their peers.
High schoolers reach new heights on the Coombs Path in the Empower program, which provides continuity of services and opportunities to high school students at a time when they need it most. Empower participants are able to keep recreating with Coombs at the level of their choice, while also being provided competitively-paid internship positions, professional and personal development workshops, college application and prep assistance, spring break college trips, and leadership trainings.
Throughout the next few weeks, you will meet Coombs Outdoors’ participants who are at different locations on the Coombs Path. As you read about their experiences, know that your support has been instrumental to blazing a trail for them to travel down. Your contributions through Old Bill’s Fun Run provide critical funds that allow us to expand capacity for more local youth, create new programs, and respond to the needs of our participants and families.
Thank you for being a part of the Coombs Path.
Happy trails!
Jenny Wolfrom Holladay
Executive Director
2022-2023 By the Numbers
392 participants in winter programs
172 summer campers
25 Empower internships
18 high school graduates
146 participants in afterschool programs
47 participants in spring break programs