A Challenging But Rewarding Year at Coombs Outdoors

Dear Friends and Supporters,

While 2020 brought many challenges, it also created many opportunities. Here at Coombs, our 2020 motto has been, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and invent we did. With COVID creating additional economic stresses on many of our participants and their families, and screen time increasing with virtual school and the cancellation of extracurricular activities, Coombs knew that continuing and creating access to outdoor recreation opportunities would be more crucial than ever. 

Thanks to generous contributions from donors like you, we had the resources necessary to not only adjust, but grow our programs in 2020. This year has been the first that we were able to offer programming not just in the summer and winter, but in the fall and spring as well. Our summer programs were reimagined and redesigned to account for COVID safety precautions. Through invaluable partnerships with organizations like Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, Rendezvous River Sports, and Rendezvous Park, we were able to serve 100 local youth throughout the summer. A total of 50 middle school and 50 elementary school students each participated in two full weeks of summer camp programming through Coombs Outdoors. 

With the addition of new program staff and the creation of the Coombs Room, an expansion of the Coombs office, Coombs Outdoors launched a new program in the fall which offered 27 elementary, 22 middle school, and 5 high school students with educational after-school programs, supervised study halls, and outdoor activities twice per week. This program helped Coombs kids show up to class prepared and with their schoolwork done, as well as provided them with empowering outdoor experiences such as mountain biking, fly fishing, and hiking. 

Coombs Outdoors started in 2012 with 28 participants enrolled in ski programs. This winter, we are able to support the largest group of local youth skiers and snowboarders ever enrolled in winter programming. A total of 272 Coombs Outdoors youth will be skiing at Snow King and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the 2020/2021 season. 

Coombs Outdoors programs provide local youth with opportunities that are focused on breaking down cultural barriers, increasing confidence and independence, developing creative thinking and problem solving skills, encouraging and teaching collaboration, and building resilience. The experiences that Coombs Outdoors provides build skills and traits that last a lifetime. 

We hope that you will consider joining us in empowering youth through outdoor recreation with a gift to Coombs Outdoors. Thank you for your past support and best wishes for 2021.

Sincerely, 
 

Jenny Wolfrom Holladay

Executive Director, Coombs Outdoors

"Backpacking was one of the most rewarding things we did all summer, I think both for the kids as much as the instructors. Backpacking is a heavy lift, literally. The hike in was type 2 fun and challenging at times, but the kids learned how satisfying it is to take a heavy pack off after a 2 mile hike.

Their tired legs were very quickly forgotten and they were soon running around a beautiful field to find the best place to pitch a tent, cook dinner and set up a bear hang. I think they all appreciated the magic of being out in nature for a full day and night- an experience they will not soon forget. I know I won't."

- Laura Gaylord, Program Manager

"Anyone who is an avid skier will tell you it is not so much the turns, the snow or the runs they remember the most, but who they share those memories with. I think the magic of Coombs programs is providing a space for our kids to have fun and build lasting memories together. Overcoming challenges on the ski hill translates to overcoming challenges life presents."

-Laura Gaylord, Program Manager