Granite Gear, based in Northern Minnesota, issued a BCM Portage Pack challenge match this spring, allowing Big City Mountaineers to get 20 Portage Packs donated to use in its summer paddling programs for under-resourced urban teens.
“Granite Gear supports BCM because as kids, we went camping, and a part of who we are is based on those experiences,” said Granite Gear COO Dan Cruikshank. “We wish all kids could be exposed to camping experiences. We hope the small contribution we made will make a difference for a few kids in the way they think of themselves and our environment.”
Greta Oberschmidt, logistics manager of BCM, approached Rod Johnson at Midwest Mountaineering (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Jeff Weidman and Darren Bush at Rutabaga (Madision, Wis.). Both donors jumped at the chance to help out Big City Mountaineers.
“We understand the power of being outdoors and the importance of access for everyone,” said Weidman. “Rutabaga is dedicated to serving paddlers or would be paddlers from all walks of life. In addition to this donation, Rutabaga also gifts one week of community service per year to all full-time staff. Many of our staff choose to do a trip with BCM.”
“This was a great opportunity to get the 20 packs we needed. It was a chance to get all our Midwest donors involved in getting the gear we need to run our trips more efficiently, both financially and logistically. Now BCM is proud owner of 20 Granite Gear #4 Portage Packs, thanks to three companies pulling together to get us the gear we need.” said Oberschmidt.
