Help Authentic Adventures Central CA grow!
We're an outdoor adventure company providing tours as well as inclusion programming for individuals with disabilities.
Project Description
- Our Mission
- The mission of Authentic Adventures Central California is to get people outdoors through guided experiences so that they can learn a new activity in a safe environment and hopefully gain the confidence to try that activity on their own.
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- The Problem.
- People have a desire to get outdoors, but they don't feel confident enough in their ability to try the activity whether that be because of lack of accessibility or lack of knowledge/confidence. They also are overwhelmed by the planning aspects of the activity they want to do and wish they had someone to handle all the details.
- Our Market
- Visitors to Fresno Area: The national parks have gained popularity with the pandemic, and over this last year 297 million people visited started visiting national parks. Our market is visitors to the Fresno area who are here to explore our national parks. Fresno is surrounded by 4 national parks and with those 4 parks, 6 million people visited Yosemite, Pinnacles, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. 12% of those people want guided tours- that's 600k people!
- Those seeking adventure tours and activities: Adventure tourism is growing- people no longer want to be casual observers; they want to get out and try new activities. Initially, 8% of the tourism provided adventure tours but with growing interests from consumers, its grown to 18%. With those people seeking adventure tours, we are equipped to serve individuals, families and corporate groups.
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Women's group on a swim cave adventure! - Individuals with Disabilities: As a recreation therapist, this population is my heart. I seek to help everyone get outside no matter their ability level. I want to help this population access outdoor spaces and national parks by providing accessible tours for individuals with physical, mental, sensory or emotional impairments.
- Our Company
- Authentic Adventures Central CA provides guided outdoor adventures- hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing and kayaking throughout Central California. AACC makes it possible for our clients to just enjoy the activity because we take care of all the permits, food, transportation, waivers and planning. Clients just have to show up! And as a bonus, because of my recreation therapy background, I am able to locate barriers to access for activities and provide suggestions for activity accommodations.
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Kayaking with kids with disabilities at Huntington Lake. - Owner/ founder, Alexis Newlin, is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who specializes in working with people with mental, physical and emotional impairments/ disabilities. I have over 15 years experience working in recreation therapy.
- Since launching Authentic Adventures Central CA in May, there is a steady stream of clients getting out there...which I love!
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Family day exploring Grant Grove at Kings Canyon National Park. - Our newest partnership allows me to provide my tours and activities to clients of Central Valley Regional Center, an excellent program that provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- I am looking for funding for a couple of areas in our business:
- Equipment. Because we want our clients to worry about as little as possible while they are with us, we want to be able to provide all the equipment they would need to complete an activity with us.
- For our hiking activities, we are seeking 2500 for purchase of trekking poles, medical kit, satellite phone and subscription, bug spray, sun screen, water, snacks and small day packs.
- For camping we are seeking 2500 to purchase tents, sleeping bags, camp stoves, camping cookware, camping chairs.
- For our kayaking activities, we are looking for 2500 to help purchase two single kayaks, life jackets, paddles.
- 7500 for operating funds to help with insurance payments, gas, van maintenance, equipment storage, business marketing for the rest of 2022 and part of 2023.
- Authentic Adventures Therapeutic Recreation Services: This is a new aspect of my business that provides inclusion services for individuals with disabilities. The goal of this program is to integrate this population into the general population through community outings and events. Because finances can be difficult for this population, I want to be able to offset some of the costs to participate in community activities so that money is not a barrier to participating. I am asking for 15k to help cover the costs for clients of this program.
- Equipment. Because we want our clients to worry about as little as possible while they are with us, we want to be able to provide all the equipment they would need to complete an activity with us.
- My Team
- Currently Authentic Adventures is a one women show running the day to day aspect of the business, but has advisors and people who have made this dream a reality. Special thanks to Rick Keyes, the Betting Big Program through Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, Vernice Nellon from Nellon's Consulting, Founded Outdoors, Kelly Knowles from KellyK Consulting, Ginny Wagner from Vantage Point Investment Group. Big thanks to Floyd Sanchez from Ppl for my beautiful website and Joshua Williams from Rise Tax Group for accounting/ tax services. Everyone listed here keeps me grounded and help keep my business running.
- From the bottom of my heart; thank you so much for making my dream of becoming an adventure tour company a reality! My business would not be possible without the support from people like you. Thank you so much for being giving!
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Me and my green beast, the adventure mobile!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long have you been in business?
- Authentic Adventures launched in May 2022. Yes, the company is barely 3 months old! But before starting my own business, I worked in recreation therapy providing outdoor activities and events for over 10 years. I have been a recreation therapist for over 15 years and have led recreation activities for individuals with mental, physical, emotional and sensory disabilities. I've worked with all ages from 2 years old, all the way up to 96 years old!
- What is recreation therapy?
- Great question! Therapeutic Recreation is considered purposeful play; providing opportunities for people with disabilities to learn and grow through recreation and interactions with others. Our programs work towards goals with the participants; whether it is learning a new leisure skill, appropriate interactions for a specific situation, or other activities of daily living. The typical goals for the programs we offer are to increase: social skills, leisure education, leisure awareness, physical fitness, or functional independence.
- What kind of tours do you offer?
- We offer guided hiking tours, camping, backpacking, kayaking and rock climbing. If you are not into those activities, we also do destination tours that are more food and travel based.
- How much experience do I need to have to participate in these tours?
- Zero! We have tours for all ability levels. We cater our packages to you. If you are wanting something more specialized, we do private tours just for you or your group.
- What do you plan to do with the funds when you get them?
- The funds will help cover insurance costs for 2023, permits, equipment purchase and storage, vehicle and equipment maintenance. For the AACC Therapeutic Recreation program- the funding will help cut or eliminate costs for our participants to go on community outings.
- How can we find out more about you and your tours?
- You can check out my website at www.authenticadventurescencal.com or follow me on socials- LinkedIn, Facebook, Insta or Tiktok.
First, thank you for contributing! What you'll get from me:
A shout out on social media!
Virtual hug, or an in-person one if you live in the Central Valley.
A list of my favorite places to visit sent right to your email!
You're awesome! Thank you for supporting me; here is what you get:
-Virtual (or in person if you're near Fresno) hug from me
-Social media shout out: I will personally thank you on my Insta/ FB/Linkedin/ Tiktok for helping build my business.
-Big list of all my favorite national parks to visit, including nearby restaurants :)
For helping at this level, you'll get:
A signed thank you note and photo from me.
Virtual hug (or in person).
Social media shout out on all my channels.
An Authentic Adventures T-shirt of your choice!
You are awesome!! Thank you for contributing at this level. Here's what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social media shout out
Signed thank you note and photo from me
T-shirt, Tank or Long Sleeve of your choice
Free Itinerary creation for anywhere you want to go- you tell me where and I will plan ALL your details. Awesome right?
You are the best! I am so grateful for your contribution! Here is what you get:
Virtual hug
Social Media shout out
Thank You note with photo from me
T-shirt, tank, or long sleeve of your choosing
Itinerary creation for any 2 trips that you want.
Day trip for up to two people at Yosemite, Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Park
You are a boss! Seriously thank you for giving! Here is what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social Media Shout out
Thank you note and picture
Tshirt, Tank, Long Sleeve or Hoodie of your choice
Free Itinerary creation for 3 trips of your choice- can be anywhere!
Day Trip of your choice for up to 4 people at Sequoia, Kings, Yosemite or Pinnacles National Park.
Half day Kayak Trip at Sycamore Island here in Fresno.
Okay, sorry for the corny name...I ran out of catchy adventure themed names.
Anyway, by this point you know you're incredibly awesome and I am very thankful for your role in my adventure business journey. Here is what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social Media Shout Out
Thank you letter with photo
Free Itinerary Creation for 4 places you'd like to go
Any tshirt, tank, long sleeve of your choice AND a hoodie
Adventure weekend retreat for up to 4 people at YNP which includes a stay at Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins with one spa treatment included.
https://www.tenayalodge.com/lodging/explorer-cabins
Rewards
First, thank you for contributing! What you'll get from me:
A shout out on social media!
Virtual hug, or an in-person one if you live in the Central Valley.
A list of my favorite places to visit sent right to your email!
You're awesome! Thank you for supporting me; here is what you get:
-Virtual (or in person if you're near Fresno) hug from me
-Social media shout out: I will personally thank you on my Insta/ FB/Linkedin/ Tiktok for helping build my business.
-Big list of all my favorite national parks to visit, including nearby restaurants :)
For helping at this level, you'll get:
A signed thank you note and photo from me.
Virtual hug (or in person).
Social media shout out on all my channels.
An Authentic Adventures T-shirt of your choice!
You are awesome!! Thank you for contributing at this level. Here's what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social media shout out
Signed thank you note and photo from me
T-shirt, Tank or Long Sleeve of your choice
Free Itinerary creation for anywhere you want to go- you tell me where and I will plan ALL your details. Awesome right?
You are the best! I am so grateful for your contribution! Here is what you get:
Virtual hug
Social Media shout out
Thank You note with photo from me
T-shirt, tank, or long sleeve of your choosing
Itinerary creation for any 2 trips that you want.
Day trip for up to two people at Yosemite, Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Park
You are a boss! Seriously thank you for giving! Here is what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social Media Shout out
Thank you note and picture
Tshirt, Tank, Long Sleeve or Hoodie of your choice
Free Itinerary creation for 3 trips of your choice- can be anywhere!
Day Trip of your choice for up to 4 people at Sequoia, Kings, Yosemite or Pinnacles National Park.
Half day Kayak Trip at Sycamore Island here in Fresno.
Okay, sorry for the corny name...I ran out of catchy adventure themed names.
Anyway, by this point you know you're incredibly awesome and I am very thankful for your role in my adventure business journey. Here is what you get:
Virtual Hug
Social Media Shout Out
Thank you letter with photo
Free Itinerary Creation for 4 places you'd like to go
Any tshirt, tank, long sleeve of your choice AND a hoodie
Adventure weekend retreat for up to 4 people at YNP which includes a stay at Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins with one spa treatment included.
https://www.tenayalodge.com/lodging/explorer-cabins