In Regards to Covid-19
In response to the current COVID-19 outbreak: We will continue to accept registration for all courses and workshops. Our policy remains to be that if for any reason an event is canceled, clients will receive a full refund.
Crowdfunding for Your Trip is Now Available
I’m very excited to announce that we have launched a service I’ve wanted to provide for clients since I first started Origin. As of today, we now offer crowdfunding assistance to registered clients! Now that everything is all set to go, I’d like to take a moment to share how this platform operates.
Summer 2020 Developments
As winter begins to wind down and summer (Petoskey stone-hunting season) approaches, it's time for an update on developments at Origin.
Preparing for 2020
As the solstice comes to pass and the days grow longer, we at Origin work hard in preparation for the year 2020. While our ultimate goal still aims to offer trips several weeks in length that truly immerse clients in the wilderness, we focus on the small steps required to get there.
Origin Expeditions Inaugural Trip
The 5-day expedition to North Manitou Island was an incredible success! Though it was different from the 3-week long, multi-faceted youth program I had initially envisioned in the spring, it was what it needed to be: a wilderness experience that provided joy, learning, and inspiration to everyone involved. Everyone left the island hungry for more time in the outdoors and excited for future Origin trips!
Fundraising Campaign Launch
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this post! After half a year of very tedious work and immeasurable support from many different individuals, I am delighted to announce that we have begun our fundraising campaign. There are many moving parts here, but what I’d like to address is why and how we need your support at this time.
The Next Step for Origin
I am excited to announce that I received a letter in the mail from the IRS officially declaring Origin Expeditions as a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)! This has been a highly anticipated moment as it opens many doors for the organization.
Building a Non-profit
Building this organization involved much more than creating a website, gathering resources and executing trips. As it turns out, several steps are necessary for becoming recognized as a legitimate non-profit organization. With this post, I’d like to share what has been going on behind the scenes over the last month and provide helpful information to anyone else who might be looking to form their own non-profit.
Moving Forward
I’m writing this post to communicate my vision for Origin Expeditions effectively. While I’m not planning on Origin ever becoming as big as a program like NOLS or Outward Bound, I do intend to see it constantly evolve and adapt. As I mentioned in the previous post, I am excited to see a community form around this project, one in which each member has a role to play. Whether they be a student, guide, parent, donor, or friend, I am interested to hear any feedback folks might have to facilitate the progression of this program—leave a comment if you feel inclined.