Doing The Hard Things – June 2026
What’s inside: A note from the Director of AdventureGluski Park Campaign Kickoff Event: Be a part of what we’re building!Made UP Outdoor Summit: Expanding the ConversationCountdown to 2026 Adventure Team Season906AT: Featured in Outside MagazineMTRS: Schedule Change906AT: Keeping the Mission at the Center of All We DoNew on Made UP PodcastEvents with 906AT A note from the Director of Adventure The June newsletter feels like a great time to say – Thank you. Thank you to the 600+ volunteers who make Adventure Bike Club possible every year. We couldn’t do it without you, and 1,300 fewer kids would experience adventure if you didn’t show up for em’. Thank you to the volunteer coaches who are planning to show up next week to help with Marji Camp. Year after year, many of the same people keep showing up to share their experience and stoke for all things Marji. Thank you to Bill and Emily Mason (and other volunteers who pitch in around the office @ basecamp) for doing the little things while we run around trying to get ready for the summer. We see the work you do – and greatly appreciate it. Thank you to everyone supporting Gluski Park. With your support we’ve raised $1,400,000. Typin’ that out blows me away… We’ve raised $1.4 million!!! Site prep will begin in July. Rock Solid will start building in August. So damn exciting Thank you to our donors, sponsors, and partners. Some give money. Some give time. Others provide service. Each of you gives in order to help us be stronger, and I want you to know that I see it. Every day. And last but not least… Thank you to our staff. Marc, Elizabeth, Julie, and Adventure Team Area Leads. Yer’ the heart and soul of 906AT, and you probably don’t hear it often enough. So, thank you. Thank you for always showing up to do the hard things – and finish what you start! TP “It’s for kids like me who had no idea what they were capable of before they got onto the bike.” -Sawyer Stelwagen May 15, 2026 – Not only did this day mark, perhaps the warmest day of the last six months, this particular day in May was also the Campaign Kickoff Event for Gluski Park. As an organization, 906 Adventure Team, has been behind the scenes developing, planning, preparing, and fundraising for this project – but this day, May 15th, marked our first opportunity to officially present Gluski Park to the community. We’d been anxiously counting down the days to this event – an opportunity to kickoff our public fundraising campaign, and also an opportunity to invite the community to the space at 955 N. Lakeshore Boulevard that will become Gluski Park – to set the tone for what this park will be – the energy, the excitement, the opportunity – our first community gathering – the first of many more to come. The event did not disappoint. You showed up. You brought a positive, excited and enthusiastic energy. You confirmed and solidified what this space will be. A space for all ages and all skills. A space full of promise and opportunity. The evening began with a lineup of the following inspirational speakers. 906AT Director of Adventure Todd Poquette who highlighted the vision and the plans for Gluski Park. Todd LaFave from the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation, who shared the legacy of Daniel Kobasic and the work of the foundation after awarding 906AT $800,000. Sandy Gluski, Tara Gluski’s mother who poured her love for her daughter into her words and the space, poignantly named after Tara. Susie Fox from the Great Lakes Sports Commission, an advocate and supporter of Gluski Park through a $150,000 grant. Representative Karl Bohnak who believes in the project and mission, demonstrating his support through his work in Lansing. And Sawyer Stelwagen, an Adventure Team participant, apprentice leader in the program and now coach, shared his experience and the impact the program has had on his growth and development. Sawyer spoke on behalf of so many kids, who have found a safe space in 906 Adventure Team to Do Hard Things and push beyond their comfort zones. He recounted the first time he made it to the top of Kirby’s Hill: “I can remember so vividly feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Pride. I felt proud of what I had accomplished. And with that pride came a realization. I could overcome anything. If I spent the time and I put the work in, I could take on any obstacle life threw at me. If I kept showing up, even when things were hard and pushing to do better each day, I would grow.” That’s what Gluski Park is about – that’s what you’re helping create when you give. You’re supporting our mission of empowering people to become the best version of themselves through outdoor education. With your support, this park means we’ll impact more kids and more families. It allows us to open our arms bigger, expanding our community – a group of people, businesses and organizations who understand the importance of giving every kid an opportunity like Sawyer’s moment on Kirby’s Hill. “Gluski Park isn’t just for the established racers and the top athletes,” Sawyer shared with the crowd. “It’s for kids like me who had no idea what they were capable of before they got onto the bike. This park provides more than just a place for these kids to hone their skills on the trails but rather provides a place where they can hone their character and mind without feeling like they are being judged by those around them. Gluski Park is a place of challenge for these kids to keep showing up to and one day take pride in their ability to conquer each day.” The event did not disappoint. You showed up. You brought a positive, excited and enthusiastic energy. You confirmed and solidified what this space will be. A space for all ages and all skills. A space full of promise and opportunity. Over 200 people joined us for the kickoff.