How did the idea for Outdoorfest come about?
You majored in History at NYU. Was Outdoorfest something you were
thinking about starting as a student? How did your liberal arts
education prepare you for being an entrepreneur?
When
I was at NYU I was actually planning my escape out west. I actually
moved out there before I even graduated (in December) and finished
writing my papers from the middle of the Alta Lodge while taking breaks
to go skiing. I always knew I loved the outdoors but it wasn't until I
moved away from New York City that I realized I loved it here just as
much. Moving back was when I realized I needed to follow a career path
that included both New York and the outdoors. As far as how this relates
to my history degree: I think a liberal arts education requires you to
approach information in a different way - especially as a history
student you learn that one account is never enough and as you work
through various sources you see how narratives are influenced. Every
entrepreneur faces the daunting task of building a brand out of scratch -
for me this background and understanding in shaping, defining, and
unpacking narratives has influenced how I assess my own forms of
communication.
We hear you currently work out of Bobst. Can you talk about this and how you decided to set up shop there?
It
was easy actually. I've been participating in the NYU Triathlon club
since I was an undergraduate. When you sign up for the gyms here they
require you make a donation the university - I realized that if I made
my donation to Bobst I would have the double benefit of a gym and a
place to work from every day. I guess you can say it was the "whole
package!"
Yes, I think advocating for local resources is something
that will hugely benefit New York City. While the ten days of
OutdoorFest will be a ton of fun - the goal is to have people learn
about new resources and go back not just this summer but year round.
Ultimately, I think encouraging and inspiring people to connect with
local outdoor recreation can reshape how people view their lives in
cities in general.
Do you have a favorite NYC park and/or outdoor activity?
I
don't have a favorite park - I love exploring new ones as much as
possible. I'm equally as fickle with sports - I like cycling, kayaking,
running, climbing. My new favorite find for activities is surfing in
Queens. It's always something I've wanted to do but the first time I
ever got out was this past March. Brrr... it was awesome.
What advice would you give to someone who lives in NYC but feels disconnected from nature?
I
would encourage them to come join our Mappy Hours (monthly happy hours
for outdoor enthusiasts) and try to meet other people with shared
experiences. It's often unsafe to go out into the outdoors alone so
having a network of reliable people is key.
How can alumni get involved in Outdoorfest?
Alumni in New York City can sign up for our newsletter and of course attend the festival from May 30 to June 8. And everyone can participate and get great prizes by supporting us through Indiegogo.
If anyone has any questions about the outdoors/ adventuring in NYC
they can email me directly at sarah@outdoorfest.org.
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