Article: Soul River.

A bit about Soul River and its mission
http://soulriverrunsdeep.com/soulriverinc/
CEO and Creative Director Chad Brown, M.Sc. is passionate about our community and Mother Nature. A decorated Navy veteran, having received multiple honors Chad now battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This daily struggle and reality drove him to the rivers when Chad was introduced to fly fishing. He still recalls the feeling of the first time he hooked in on a fish where he felt himself fill with happiness, smiling for the first time in months. This was his sign to connect with the outdoors as well as advocate for some of our most disadvantaged groups to gain ultimate accessibility to the outdoors. In 2010, Chad began Soul River Inc., (an entity of Soul River Runs Deep) with the hopes to connect inner city youth and military veterans with hands-on opportunities in the outdoors. Rooted in the healing sport of fly fishing and operated by veterans, professional anglers, and community outreach specialists, Soul River Runs Wild (aka Soul River Inc.) inspires all participants to become ambassadors and advocates of our natural environment and intends to do it all at zero-cost to the participants.

Check out our segment on OPB Television program

http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/segment/urban-youth-the-zen-of-fly-fishing/

The Alaska Trip and Why it's Worth Getting Behind
This trip will give youth growing up in an urban environment the opportunity to be enriched by nature and mentored by vets who benefit as much as they do through the healing of fly fishing. For the first time in their lives, youth who participate in this trip will have access to the outdoors and the opportunity to learn life-coping skills that translate beyond nature and into the real world. The hope is the youth gain outdoor leadership skills as well as become ambassadors for Mother Nature, conservation, and learn fly fishing.

The relationships forged between all participants will promote mental health and bring both groups to places where it is safe to be themselves and heal.

The Goal of the Alaska Trip

The goal of the Cross-Cultural Exploration 2015 is to expose and educate 20 youth and 14 veterans from the Portland-metro area (including City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation) to an Alaskan culture that relies heavily on the natural world and wildlife for sustenance and sustainability. This is designed to have balance between both worlds therefore we will pair up each Portland- metro youth with an Alaskan youth so they can learn from one another. This project is partnership with theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in both Alaska and Oregon, and the youth will be visiting Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. We will provide a variety of structured workshops throughout each day that will be teaching a variety of topics such as but not limited to fly fishing, entomology, cultural awareness and education, conservation/environmental issues, and careers in the STEAM subject areas.

What We Need & What You Get

The budget in detail
Soul River has a projected budget of $65,000 to bring 20 youth and 14 veterans to Alaska. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has already pledged $15,000, therefore our current goal is to raise $50,000. If we raise anything beyond that, we will be able to bring along more participants.

Perksto contributing to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/i-am-soul-river-alaska

$25 - Thank You card & "Stay Wild" sticker This is no ordinary thank you card...you'll keep this on the fridge for months! You'll also receive a signature Soul River "Stay Wild" sticker that looks great on any water bottle, skateboard, bumper, or any other surface. All artwork is artistically conceptualized and created by Chad Brown.

$50 - Artistic Hand-Crafted Fly set Some of the Pacific Northwest's top anglers and tiers will create a pair of custom, hand-crafted flies that look great on the line or mounted on the wall. These are true pieces of art that anyone can appreciate.

$100 - Soul River Scents Collection Chad Brown of Soul River has created and captured the scents of four unique rivers located in the Pacific Northwest - McKenzie River, Deschutes River, Metolius River, and Yakima River. With your generous pledge, you will receive the full collection perfect for your home, office, or riverside camp table. Each unique soy-based candle instantly envelops your senses as if you’re sitting right next to the river.

$300 - Fly Fishing Rod Loop's INCITE single hand 5wt 9ft is great for novices and advanced anglers alike. With your pledge, you have the option to keep this beautiful rod for your own use, OR donate it to a veteran or youth through Soul River, Inc to help spread the love of angling.

$500 - Soul River Represent! Soul River T-Shirt: This beautiful apparel line is inspired and rooted in fly fishing and is designed and created by Chad Brown. Colors (black, espresso, brown,or gray) and sizes (small to xx-l) vary, 100% cotton. Soul River Trucker Hat: Look fly on the water in a classic Soul River trucker hat! Waypoint Messenger OR Backpack (choose one): Carry your gear in style and balanced by combining urban fashion and outdoor lifestyle , function, high quality throughout and unbeatable durability.

$1,000 - The Steelhead Package Ok, not really, but close to its worthiness! With your generous pledge you receive: Soul River's signature "Wild Soul" sticker Soul River Scent of your choice Trucker Hat Soul River T-Shirt Loop Spey Rod Waypoint Messenger Bag OR Backpack

$5,000 - Above and Beyond Package In addition to The Steelhead Package, Soul River will treat you and one other person to an Oregon wine country experience! Relax in a calm, tranquil setting with friends, nature, gourmet lunch, and delicious local wines from our friends at Alexana Vineyards and Winery in Dundee, Oregon. Included in the package is an instructional experience on the private lake with your new Loop fly rod. Instructors are at your speed, and the experience is all about relaxation. Perfect for anyone!

Where the funds go if we don't reach our entire goal
If the entire goal is not reached, the trip would be redesigned to go to a more affordable location than Alaska with less participants.

The Impact - Why your donations matter!
These outings will tangibly alter participants lives by providing them with opportunities to establish new friendships and outdoor leadership skills, and gain awareness and education around issues impacting our environment and conservation. Soul River has already held many successful outings with youth and veterans. See what the results here: