Running with the Bears Charity Runners

Running with the Bears is specifically a fundraiser for Mountain Circle's PowderQuest Program, an outdoor leadership adventure for older foster teens and their mentors. Please check out this short 3-min film that was just made about the event! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxBFXSx7k-0

This trip provides opportunities to build self-confidence, self-reflection, and leadership skills- beyond the front door and into the real world. Up to 30 older foster youth are invited to attend each year and, alongside their adult mentors, every participant learns important values in becoming healthy adults such as trust, integrity and self-confidence. PowderQuest provides all transportation, room and board, ski or snowboarding lessons, and leadership training, at SugarBowl Lake Tahoe to all current and past Mountain Circle foster teens. A small investment in these teens provides a trip they’ll never forget! And these kids deserve it.

For foster youth who are facing unparalleled challenges and disadvantages, the PowderQuest Program provides a lifeline to a healthy form of play and entertainment while deepening their connection with their adult mentor. This year, we welcomed 25 youth, half of whom had done the trip with us the year before. Several of these mentors are now grown up, with their own children, and therefore in a unique position to provide guidance and support. Please watch the video above to learn the impact of the PowderQuest Program.

Each trip costs over $11,000, not including staff time, and our goal is to offer at least two trips per year. Additional funds raised by Running with the Bears support other Mountain Circle program's- including ensuring that foster children have new school clothes, Christmas gifts, access to children's counseling, the provision of additional medical costs, and the training of foster parents.

• $20 Provides a gift certificate to a foster family in order to take their children to ice cream or the movies
• $40 Helps a foster parent pay for a Saturday of family fun- museums, mini-golf, and other activities to help children feel 'normal'
• $50 Pays the fees for a child to participate in extracurricular activities (cleats, uniforms, registration fees)
• $100 A new car seat for a foster family caring for a baby
• $400 Gifts a graduating foster teen with a laptop for their continuing education
• $600 Provides an older youth with an outdoor leadership adventure weekend through the PowderQuest Program.

In 2013, Mountain Circle welcomed 62 Running with the Bears Charity Runners who raised over $22,000 from 500 donors. This year, we hope to raise $100,000, come join the team!!