October 12, 2019 • Angel’s Camp
boathousetour.org

Join OARS for a night of award-winning short films, food, brews, and live music in celebration of 50 years of guiding, friendship, conservation, and community. 100% of ticket sales for this event will be donated to the Pam and George Wendt Foundation, an organization with the vision to connect young people to one of the world’s greatest resources — our wild places.

Get the chance to win awesome gear prizes courtesy of YETINRSSmith OpticsChaco, and Chums. Beer has been generously provided by Sierra Nevada; wine thanks to Boyle MacDonald WinesHatcher Winery, and Ten By Ten Wines. Additionally, Northwestern Mutual and SkySon Financial have offered support. The event features music from Leilani & the Distractions.

All are welcome to this family-friendly evening. Kids 15 and under get in free with a paying adult (limit 2 free kids/adult); YETI drinkware limited to paying adults. Limited tickets available. Free parking at the OARS boathouse. Just like a river trip, this is a rain or shine event so show up dressed for the weather. There will be limited indoor seating and covered outdoor seating.

Doors open at 6pm. Films commence at dusk.

$25 includes 2 drink tickets, 1 dinner ticket, and 1 OARS 50th Anniversary YETI Rambler 18-oz Bottle. (Dinner + YETI stainless drinkware guaranteed for the first 300 guests.)

Local lodging is available at the following locations: Angels Camp RV & Camping ResortGlory Hole & Tuttletown Recreation Areas at New Melones Reservoir, and Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites.

Learn more at boathousetour.org.


About the Pam and George Wendt Foundation

The Pam & George Wendt Foundation (formerly the OARS Foundation) was created by veteran outfitter, OARS, with the vision to connect young people to one of the world’s greatest resources—our wild places. By partnering with OARS, the Foundation has access to river rafting permits, skilled guides and a multi-use camping facility in California.

The Pam & George Wendt Foundation provides meaningful guided river rafting and outdoor adventure experiences for under-resourced youth and young adults. Our goal is to provide access to the outdoors in order to help foster the next generation of environmental stewards and active outdoor enthusiasts. We believe that outdoor adventures can empower young people, promote personal well-being, and inspire them to discover a deeper appreciation for our rivers and environment.

With the overwhelming prevalence of screen-time and restrictions on outdoor play in many of our urban areas, access to wild and natural places is becoming more difficult. We hope to provide the space and the resources that enable the next generation to explore the value of nature in their lives and in their developing world view. Most importantly, we also want our participants to have fun—as a wilderness experience has the power to inspire, give cause for action and lead to an active, outdoor lifestyle that remains rewarding throughout one’s entire life.

Since 2009, the Foundation has run dozens of successful trips in the communities we serve, consisting of programs for elementary schools and high schools, universities, and various other youth and young adult organizations.

From 1-day trips on the South Fork of the American River in California, to multi-day trips through Grand Canyon, the Foundation works with youth to increase accessibility and diversify outdoor adventure spaces, while fostering the transformative and enriching nature of an outdoor classroom. Teachers also have the opportunity to take advantage of new, fresh and exciting educational experiences for their students.

How the Pam and George Wendt Foundation works

1. The Pam & George Wendt Foundation is funded through individual donations and grants. OARS also donates 15% of all purchases made through their online retail store and 100% of royalties from short films such as River of EdenMartin’s Boat, 62 Years, and Return from Desolation.

2. OARS connects with existing groups providing services to under-resourced youth to offer subsidized rafting trips and other guided adventures. Groups typically only pay for their own transportation to and from the meeting location for the trip, plus any other pre- or post-trip expenses. In some cases, the Foundation may charge a small fee for the trip.

3. OARS runs the trips at cost for the operational components—guide wages, food, and transportation costs. The Foundation then reimburses OARS for those direct expenses. OARS does not make any money operating trips for the Foundation and OARS donates all administrative staff time plus the use of permits and equipment needed to make these trips possible.

Donate

Click here if you would like to donate to the Pam & George Wendt Foundation.