Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Griffie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was the Program Director at Bay Are Wilderness Training. I knew there was not a similar thing in Los Angeles, yet I thought there should be.
Important parts of it are that it combines training, and a Gear Library. The trainings are aimed at adults who already work with kids, like teachers or staff of after school programs.
The trainings teach them to lead their kid’s car camping or backpacking.
Once they take the training, they can borrow from the LAWT Gear Library. It has 92 sleeping bags, 120 sleeping pads, 45 tents from 2 to 6 people, fleece tops and bottoms, long underwear, rain gear jackets and pants, hiking boots, etc.
We were not able to raise enough money to support the organization, so we are closing our doors, and looking to give away the gear in the gear library. Our fiscal sponsor owns the gear, and wants us to give it to Bay Area Wilderness Training. We are looking to leave some of it in LA, and give it to some of the organizations that borrowed it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle has simply been getting kids outdoors in LA. If people have not spent time in the outdoors themselves, they tend to befuddled by the idea of it. They think it sounds dangerous, and they picture the worst things they can imagine. We train you how to respond to the threats, and in general, what they come up with is usually more exciting than reality. Given this, it is really hard to find supporters, and for people to take the trainings or support our work.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Los Angeles Wilderness Training – what should we know?
The hardest thing has been simply that many in Los Angeles are not sure about the outdoors. Few have experience themselves, so they do not want to find ways to bring kids outdoors. They think their job is to protect kids from anything that could go wrong.
If they have little experience outdoors themselves,, they imagine there being snakes, insects, hungry bears, etc., and they imagine it must be dangerous.
In addition, it has been hard to raise money. There are very few foundations who will give money to support camping in or near LA for the same reasons.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel that brain flexibility is huge, the ability to imagine doing things in different ways.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Stronghold Climbing Gym, 650 S. Avenue 21, Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Website: www.lawildernesstraining.org
- Phone: (626) 275-4334
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAWildernessTraining/
Image Credit:
Luther Harris
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