Project ASCENT

08/04/2026

What a summer. ☀️🌲

This year, Project ASCENT adventurers learned new skills, explored wild places, made new friends, challenged themselves, and discovered strengths they didn't know they had. From rock climbing and kayaking to fossil hunting, water safety, and campfire conversations, every adventure brought opportunities to grow.

But don't just take our word for it, here's what some of our explorer's told us:

💬 "This camp really changed my life."

💬 "I spent a week away from social media, my friends, my family and yet I still feel at home."

💬 "This is definitely my favorite camp by far!!!!!"

💬 "I loved it so I will come back."

The best part? Nearly every participant said they want to return next year, and many shared an interest in becoming future Junior Field Instructors or Junior Watershed Conservationists.

Thank you to our participants, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners for making these adventures possible. Together, we're helping youth build confidence, connection, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.

Here's to an incredible summer and all the adventures still to come. ❤️

08/04/2026

Still thinking about it? 🌽🎯

We see you.

You've looked at the poster. Maybe you thought, "That could be fun..." and then got distracted. Maybe you've been waiting to see what your Saturday looks like. Maybe you're just not the sign-up-in-advance type.

That's okay.

The Project ASCENT Open Co****le Tournament at Draught Works is this Saturday, and walk-up registrations are absolutely welcome.

So if you wake up Saturday morning and think, "You know what? Co****le and hanging out with good people sounds pretty fun today," then come on down.

No pressure. No big commitment. Just a fun day with great people, a little friendly competition, cold drinks, prizes, and a chance to support outdoor adventures for local youth.

Honestly, we're pretty confident that once you show up, you'll be glad you did.

Grab a partner... or find one when you get there. Bring your competitive spirit... or don't. 😄

We'll save you a spot. ❤️

****leForACause

P.S. Some of the best ideas start with "Eh, why not?" 🌽🍻

Provide your feedback on BizChat

07/22/2026

This week is our last camp experience, the epic Pack and Paddle, stay tuned for stories, updates, and photos!

07/22/2026

This group of young people was something special. From the moment they arrived, they jumped into every experience with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try something new. That's not always easy, especially when you're asked to step outside your comfort zone, but these kids showed up ready for the challenge.

Over the course of the week, they explored the tiny world of aquatic insects through kick netting, learned bear safety skills, searched for fossils, kayaked across the lake, and tackled a seriously adventurous hike. At one point, some new trail additions led to a little extra bushwhacking, and a few campers were convinced they were lost. (Rest assured, the adults knew exactly where they were going! 😆) What could have been a stressful moment quickly became one of those unforgettable adventure stories they'll be telling for years.

One of the highlights for our team was watching how these kids treated one another. When I stopped by with my own kiddos for a kick netting session, the campers immediately welcomed them in, shared what they were learning, and showed incredible kindness and patience. Throughout the week, they supported each other, encouraged each other, and genuinely enjoyed being together.

Adventure isn't just about the places we go. It's about building confidence, resilience, connection, and wonder. This group embraced all of it, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have shared the week with them.

Thanks for an amazing Fishtrap Adventure, campers. You reminded us why we do this. ❤️

07/22/2026

Hoo hoo hoooo! Look what we've got cookin! We've teamed up with Draught Works Brewery to bring our co****le tournament experience to Missoula! Sign-ups are open on Scoreholio, come see us August 8th for a great day and share some great brews!

🥇 THE ASCENT OPEN CO****LE TOURNAMENT 🥇

Draught Works Brewery is teaming up with Project ASCENT for a co****le tournament for a great cause!

📅 Saturday, August 8th
⏰ Tournament opens at 1 PM
📍 Draught Works

100% of proceeds benefit Project ASCENT, a nonprofit that gets people outside through hands-on wilderness education — building real outdoor skills, environmental appreciation, and lifelong stewardship of our public lands.
Compete for bragging rights, sweet prizes, and the title of Ascent Open Champion 🏆 — all while drinking a cold one for a good cause.

Register here: https://app.scoreholio.com/v2/co****le/player/findtournament?location=enabled&lat=46.87772289999999&lng=-114.0039379&customType=Tournament&customId=uqj8bCM2WB6e1lTxgcO8&cache=1784564532
Or find it in our bio.
See you on the boards! 🍺

07/16/2026

We're excited to share that Project ASCENT founder and CEO Rob Christensen was recently featured on Trail North Podcast, hosted by Project ASCENT board member John Dowd.

In this conversation, Rob reflects on the experiences that shaped his passion for working with youth, the beginnings of Project ASCENT, and the power of adventure to build confidence, resilience, and connection.

If you've ever wondered how Project ASCENT got its start or what drives our mission to create life-changing outdoor experiences for young people, this is a great listen.

A big thank you to John for creating a platform that highlights the people, stories, and values that make our communities stronger.

🎧 Check out the episode on Instagram:

07/15/2026

What an incredible week in the Bitterroot with an amazing group of young adventurers!

Our crew explored Montana's wild places, including a tour of the historic St. Mary's Mission, Teller Wildlife Refuge, and spent time learning about the natural world around them, embracing all the surprises (like a mechanical bear!) and discoveries that come with a week outdoors.

At Project ASCENT, our camps are packed with hands-on learning, new experiences, and opportunities to build confidence. But just as important, we make sure kids have plenty of time to simply be kids. There’s something about the outdoors that brings out laughter, curiosity, imagination, and genuine connection in a way that's hard to replicate anywhere else.

Whether they were exploring a new trail, skipping rocks, sharing stories, or just enjoying time with friends, this group made the most of every moment.

Meanwhile, our Hybrid Camp is in full swing! Campers are spending their days hiking scenic trails and kayaking mountain lakes, all while enjoying the comforts of a base camp complete with fresh water and bathrooms. It's a great mix of adventure and comfort, and we're excited to see what memories this week's group creates.

Thank you to all the families who trust us with your kids. We love watching them grow, challenge themselves, and discover what they're capable of while having an incredible time in the process.

🌲🥾🚣‍♀️💙