Giving Thanks!

Medford, OR.  During this Thanksgiving week, Team West has many things to be thankful for.  We have our health, a life filled with adventure, and a supportive network of family, friends and colleagues.  As we drive through torrential downpours in southern Oregon, we are especially thankful for the outfitting partners that support the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers.  With their help, we camp comfortably and stay warm and dry for the nearly 200 nights we spend in a tent each season. It is outstanding partnerships that make this program flourish because they believe in the work of The Center.

 A cozy nights sleep with a Therma-Rest Ventura Down Blanket in a MSR Elbow Room 3-person tent

Coleman Outdoor Products supply the teams with all the camp kitchen gadgets from cutting boards to coolers and everything in between so that we can prepare meals with ease at campsites and on Leave No Trace Trainer Courses.  It is easy to get a solid nights rest with Cascade Designs on their Therma-Rest sleep systems and in a MSR tent.  Some nights can get pretty chilly.  That is when we pull out our Smartwool baselayers and socks to keep us snug as a bug in a…tent.  Hi Cone, a company that promotes the use of photodegradable plastics and sustainable packaging in the beverage industry, weaves into our presentations when we teach the importance of disposing of waste properly.  We must look sharp during each of our 150 workshops and trainings season.  The North Face, a company that encourages people to Never Stop Exploring, outfits the Traveling Trainers so we are prepared to teach in any weather Mother Nature throws our way.

Finally, we would be quite literally nowhere if we did not have a Subaru to store all this gear in.  As the title sponsor of the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, Subaru of America enables the teams to reach hundreds of thousands of people each year as we travel through the lower 48 United States encouraging people to practice the skills and ethics of Leave No Trace.

The words “Thank You” seem inadequate to express the gratitude that we feel in our lives each and every day.  What are you giving thanks for this week?