Summer is here!
Dear Friends,
Summer is here! We hope you have been enjoying these perfect-for-adventuring, long, sunny days out hiking the trails, floating the river, or pedaling your bike.
This marks the third week of summer camp here at Coombs Outdoors, and it’s such a joy to see participants diving into adventures with peers and mentors. The energy at day camp drop-off is palpable, as is the tired satisfaction of our older participants returning from a camping trip or a long day on the river.
This is going to be another record summer for us, serving 300 participants with multiple programs each throughout the season. I’m so grateful for the incredible staff members who are already skillfully running complex programs and serving as positive role models for our kids. Keep reading to meet our new and seasonal staff members, including former Coombs participants who are now working for the organization, and for a glimpse of the summer ahead.
We’re proud to provide access, belonging, and fun for local kids, and their families need support now more than ever. Summer can be challenging for working parents, especially here in Jackson with the high demand and cost for childcare and limited availability of local summer programs. Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors like you, kids enrolled in Coombs summer programs get to be active, social, and away from screens all summer long.
Thank you for sharing our mission and helping us grow meaningful opportunities and resources for our community. If you haven’t supported us financially yet this year, we hope you’ll consider donating by the end of day today, June 30, to help us finish our fiscal year strong.
With gratitude,
Jenny Wolfrom Holladay
Summer 2025 By the Numbers
300 summer camp participants in up to 3 programs each
156 elementary schoolers in Activate day camp
96 middle and high schoolers on Engage backpacking trips
70+ Engage participants in skills day programs & evening clubs like biking, climbing, paddling, and swimming
14 high school students in Empower internships
10 weeks of camp
13 backpacking/camping trips
630 enrollment spots
3820 camper days
11 summer staff hired
4 former Coombs participants returning as summer staff
Meet the 2025 Coombs Outdoors Summer Staff!
Each year we have the pleasure and privilege of hiring a talented and dynamic group of Summer Instructors. This year is no different with familiar faces from last summer returning to staff, several Coombs participants joining as instructors, and some new faces bringing fresh perspectives to the program. This group underwent three weeks of training to prepare them for the season ahead which included sessions on group management, Wilderness First Aid, trauma informed care, driving training, waterfront safety, backcountry field scenarios, crisis response and much more.
We can’t wait to see what our summer team accomplishes this year. It is our pleasure to introduce you to the staff members in charge of creating incredible experiences and memories for Coombs kids this summer.
Abe
Position: Activate Instructor
Unique Fact: Learned to tie his shoes in 7th grade
Allison
Position: Activate/Engage Instructor
Unique Fact: Loves running & swimming
Colin
Position: Engage Instructor
Unique Fact: Plays guitar
Dani
Position: Activate Instructor
Unique Fact: Studying criminal justice
Gia
Position: Activate Instructor
Unique Fact: Aspiring tattoo artist
Heidi
Position: Activate Lead Instructor
Unique Fact: Best photographer
Jack
Position: Engage Instructor/ Skills Program Lead
Unique Fact: Aspiring dog dad
Kate
Position: Engage Instructor
Unique Fact: Makes pottery
Lauren
Position: Activate/Engage Instructor
Unique Fact: Collegiate water skier
MC
Position: Activate Instructor
Unique Fact: Track star
Winslow
Position: Activate Instructor
Unique Fact: Varsity lacrosse player
