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).
