Doing The Hard Things – September 2025
What’s inside: Special edition featuring Adventure Team season highlightsA special MADE U.P. episodeThe unveiling of TWO new Adventure Teams in 2026staying involved and active in the off-season 15 Communities. 1 Team. It’s one thing to type it out and add it to Adventure Team marketing materials… it’s another thing to see and feel what it really means. We’re highlighting an incredible season in this newsletter– 1,300 kids on bikes across the Midwest. Learning to do hard things together with the guidance of 600+ volunteers. As you look through these photos and read about the experiences these kids and families shared – I hope you can take a moment to feel the community – the smiles – the thread that ties this group together. It doesn’t matter what city the stories come from – whether kids rode in Wisconsin or Michigan – you can’t tell a difference between a picture from Lansing or a picture from La Crosse – these kids are together showing all of us – being a part of a team means showing up, doing hard things, respecting and supporting each other, and appreciating each ride for the opportunities to adventure, get outside and connect (not with technology, but with smiles and encouragement). Enjoy this special edition of ‘Doing The Hard Things’ – this edition is all about you and why we keep focused on the 906AT mission: encouraging people to become the best versions of themselves through outdoor adventure.-Elizabeth Peterson “The energy, passion and positivity… was indescribable.” This summer was Nash’s (9 years old) first experience with the 906 Adventure Team in La Crosse, WI. Nash’s experience with the La Crosse County Adventure Team has been unbelievable, sparking a passion for bike riding and personal growth that made him wish the team could meet every day of the week instead of just once a week. Throughout the summer, Nash has developed not only his biking skills but also valuable life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, and self-confidence. The supportive environment of Adventure Team and the amazing coaches challenged him to push past his limits and build his confidence both on and off his bike. As a result, Nash has grown into a stronger, more resilient individual and rider, gaining lessons and friendships that will continue to impact him well beyond the trails. Each week he would come off the trails and want to share with family and friends all of the bike skills that he learned. His stories about the trails and his demonstrations of the skills he learned were just small pieces of how he developed as a person and as a rider. As a parent seeing his smile each week as he came up over the hills of La Crosse was incredible. Throughout the summer as a parent and volunteer I was able to help at the Adventure Team base camp. As an educator my passion is watching children succeed and grow. I had no concept of how volunteering at base camp would not only fill my personal bucket but allow me to be a part of a group of adults that would encourage, teach, challenge, and help children of all ages grow both physically and mentally, and grow their passion for biking. From the young 4-year-old whose goal it was to get off her training wheels to the 12-year-old who struggled with his fear of how to conquer the challenging trails, the adult coaches rallied and cheered them through it. The energy, passion, and positivity the adult coaches and base camp volunteers had that I was able to witness as they left base camp for their rides was indescribable. I am forever grateful as a parent and as a volunteer to be a part of this organization and group of individuals. The volunteers, coaches, and team leads are not only making our youth and biking community stronger but also contributing to making each of us better humans! Thank you, Adventure Team La Crosse!-Lindsey Seipp “The kids conquered their fears over and over.” Adventure Team La Crosse County had a spectacular season. Before the season, thinking about wrangling 130 kids was daunting. But when the time came, the kids arrived, rode their bikes, learned some new skills, and left with smiles, all kudos to our amazing coaches. Not only did we get to use our new trailer this year, we also got to test out our new wooden obstacles. The kids conquered their fears over and over, proving to themselves every week that they are strong and resilient. AT La Crosse also got to test out our skills of “adapting to change.” We had to pivot when the mosquitos got too bad to go into the woods and found out we can have fun just about anywhere. We also cooled down with water balloons when the heat index was over 100. Kids, coaches, and parents are already excited for next year.-Randi Pueschner “She learned to be brave and confident on her bike.” Special thanks to your whole team! This girl, my granddaughter, Savannah, only took her training wheels off her bike a few weeks before she hit the trails this year. She said she learned to be brave and confident on her bike. I think she was the only girl in her group, too! Good stuff! ❤️-Ann Perala Our season started with a bang, as the first two rides had unexpected thunderstorms. Our coaches and riders adapted and overcame the weather, making it memorable experiences for the riders. The following weeks were spent finding individual and collective best selves through outdoor adventures. Highlights included solid friend connections, wildlife exploration, 1:2 rider/coach experiences to overcome personal challenges, another year for an adaptive rider to participate, and no incident reports 🙂 Our 56 coaches are deeply invested in the 906 ethos and it shows, and being their Lead (for the 4th year of ATGB) was pure joy. Matt and I are so grateful for our community, including our sponsors: Belgiosio, BW Corporation, The Bike Hub, Broken Spoke, Pete’s
Doing The Hard Things – August 2025
What’s inside: An update from Todd: Meeting kids (of all ages) where they areP2P: 500 miles of trails, testing skills and finding connectionCrusher 2025: A dream turned reality#CRUSHED: Welcome to Crusher Country (the Keweenaw)906AT: Bike club brings shared experiencesFreedom Machine shirts: On sale now!906 Volunteer Ethos: Service Before SelfEvents with 906AT An update from Todd: Meeting kids (of all ages) where they are When people talk about the 906 Adventure Team, the conversation can go in a lot of directions. If they have kids in our youth program, or if they’re a volunteer coach, they might talk about their Adventure Team. If they’re a participant in the events, they’ll probably talk about Polar Roll, Crusher, and Marji Gesick. If they’ve been inducted into the “Hall of Pain”, they will have some stories to share. Almost everyone who knows us knows we like doin’ hard things, and they’ll be quick to share that, too. I like to get into the weeds and talk about the stuff I think people miss, and today I’m gonna touch on something very important: Meeting people where they are. It’s an important part of our success. It’s the main reason we can connect with just about anyone, of any age or background. I’ll give ya some examples of what this looks like day-to-day for 906AT. We tell volunteers and coaches of the youth Adventure Teams to meet the kids where they are. Figure out where they are developmentally, and figure out how to help them advance. We’re invested in being part of their journey and showing them that they can get better at things they’re not as good at as other kids – and it’s ok to not be as good at something as someone else. Meeting kids where they are tells them we care about them. We want them to succeed, and we will walk with them, instead of leaving them behind. In all of our events, we celebrate the last person to cross the line after 25 hours (or more, depending on the event) the same way we celebrate all of the “winners”. And, can we be honest for a minute? Anyone who shows up and toes the line at a 906AT event can be a winner when they embrace the You vs. You mentality, because that mentality tells people that no matter how they stack up against someone else, their experience matters! A couple of weeks ago, we were up in the Keweenaw for “The Crusher”. After 29 hours, we had close to ten people still on course, after the cutoff. They would not quit, and because of that, we didn’t either. We waited. We let them know that even if it was past the cutoff… their experience mattered. People talk about Marji Gesick and the Crusher like they’re the hardest things you can do in a 906AT event, but I’m here to tell you, they’re wrong. The hardest thing you can do at a 906AT event is put another person’s experience ahead of your own. Support a participant through the night. Volunteer for 40 hours. And do it all with a smile, for someone else. Later in the newsletter, Julie writes about our volunteers. Without these people, there is no 906AT, because 906AT is people, and people meeting other people where they are when they don’t have to, is how you build a community, and create a feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself. It’s amazing to witness daily the selflessness of this community, and I implore you, all of you, to never lose sight of what got us here… Keep meeting people where they are. “I’m going to pedal my bike today.” Kristy McBride says her interest in the Crusher P2P 500-mile course had to do with the challenge behind it. She’s relatively new to bikepacking; this race was just her fourth time out, and she says she wanted to test her skills. Her approach was simple: she’d ride, camp alone, and get back on her bike. Her drive came from the deep connection one finds on an adventure like this. She says you just can’t find it anywhere else – not like this. The scenery. The breathtaking moments. Too spectacular to even photograph. They’re moments you have to feel and be there to see. There’s no explaining it. No scrolling through a camera roll after the event to show the magnitude of what she immersed herself in. “It was just gorgeous,” recalls Kristy. There aren’t adequate words to describe it. In total, Kristy biked for nearly four and a half days from the Stonington Peninsula to Copper Harbor. She pushed her limits. Did what many didn’t think was possible. And she did it feeling an immense sense of pride. She made it up big climbs, up Arvon and Brockway – she rode in the heat, the rain, the cold. She faced fears of hypothermia. She overcame feelings of loneliness, spending days without seeing another person. And deep down, she carried a sense of knowing – that unless she faced a medical emergency, she would finish. She says she woke up every day ready for the adventure of it. Telling herself, “I’m going to pedal my bike today.” And so she did. Minute after minute. Mile after mile. Day after day. Kristy originally had planned to ride the course unsupported – meaning she wouldn’t be able to accept aid or assistance from anyone along the way. At the last moment, she changed to ride supported. A decision she’s grateful she made. “It’s really special to have those connections out there.” From Spencer Prusi at West End Ski and Trail staying open late so she could grab dry gloves and nap on the floor to the countless others she encountered along the way. She looks back on those interactions with gratitude and love. “It isn’t finished until it’s finished.” Kristy says she felt a lot of emotions during her ride… emotions that she would often have to tuck away, and
Doing The Hard Things – July 2025
What’s inside: An update from Todd: Mistakes are the price we pay to learnNew on Made U.P.Apprentice Leadership Program: From rider to leaderAdventure Team LaCrosse: It’s not the falling down that counts10 Years after 906AT: A rider’s perspectiveWelcome to Crusher CountryJumping into the Outdoors: Finding JoyEvents with 906AT Mistakes are the price we pay to learn. For July, I’m going to share something that happened this week in Marquette and a few thoughts. The weather was looking questionable all day. We kept an eye on the radar while we set up. It would change every 15 minutes. Not helpful. When it was time to make the decision, things looked good, so we decided to go ahead. Everyone showed up and headed into the woods. Then, the radar changed again. Staff decided to shorten the ride. The groups were advised to return early, and parents were contacted. We beat the rain, and everyone made it home safe. Worth noting… It didn’t rain, but the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up, and thunder rumbled overhead. It was scary for some of the kids. We heard some crying and saw a few tears. The experience was… new. The staff and the volunteers did a great job keeping calm and distracting a handful of kids with snacks while they waited for their parents in the 906AT trailer. Before they knew it, they were headed home, telling mom and dad about their adventure. Have you ever been caught outside in a storm? I have. And, every time it happens, I learn something new. The first time it happened, can you guess what I learned? We don’t melt in the rain. Over the years, I’ve learned how to read the weather, the gear I need, and how to use it. Have I made some mistakes along the way? For sure, and I’m thankful I did, because each of those experiences was educational. Mistakes are the price we pay to learn. My parents didn’t teach me to fear the world around me. They encouraged me to experience things and seek adventure. They did what they could to help prepare me. I am thankful for that. I guess the reason I’m sharing this is because it’s 2025, not 1980. It feels like our view of the world has changed. Intentional or not, it seems like we’re telling kids to stay away from things that are uncomfortable and scary, instead of teaching them how to face and overcome them. I don’t know… is the world that much more dangerous than it was forty years ago? Or are we (adults/society) scared and, in turn, passing it onto our kids? Our parents had it harder than we did. Their parents had it harder than they did. Things (life) have gotten better. That’s a good thing. But… comfort comes with a cost. The cost of comfort is a compromised relationship with nature. That’s not good for us. That’s why we developed Youth Adventure Teams. To keep kids in the woods getting dirty, dealing with bugs, running (riding) through the trees, feeling the freedom we felt as kids, but not just the freedom. Also, familiarity with being hot, getting cold, pushing hard, being out of breath, hearing the sounds of the forest, and feeling the wind in their hair. It’s important to experience this stuff. It’s important to learn we can do hard stuff. Stay Wild. Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure Here’s a plug for the MADE U.P. Podcast that we launched four months ago. We’ve recorded 19 episodes and over 60 hours of content. We’ve talked about the events (Polar Roll, Crusher, Marji Gesick), Adventure Team youth programming, youth health trends, trails, access to trails, trail user groups getting along, and community. We talked to our favorite storyteller, Frida Waara. Shelley Wellings from Straight Line Archery in Ishpeming joined us & we talked about bow hunting and what it’s like to be a female business owner in a male-dominated sport. Al and Kristen visited a couple of times and we talked about training – how to get ready to do hard things. If you haven’t yet – check it out. Interested in getting on the pod? Drop me a line. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube ChannelClick here to follow us on Spotify “Coaching is what I want to do with my life.” The Adventure Team Apprentice Leadership Program began three years ago in Marquette, offering kids an opportunity to expand their development beyond the lessons of a rider in bike club. The concept, give kids a place to develop leadership skills, learn the value of giving back to their community and at the same time provide a coach for adventure team that understands the experience of being in the program. Sawyer Stelwagen and Ella Clement are two mentors in the program in Marquette this year. Ella is in her third year, Sawyer is in his second. Both will be Seniors at Marquette High School next year and have been involved in Adventure Team Marquette for years… an experience they say helped them develop into the young leaders they are becoming today. “Coaching is what I want to do with my life,” said Ella. “906 Adventure Team made me what I am today. I love kids and love being a part of the community.” “Initially, my time as a rider, when I was 12 years old was hard. I had a tough time keeping up. There was a big skill difference between me and the other kids. But, that pushed me to work harder and do better,” recalls Sawyer. “I gained confidence and ability. It made me appreciate the program and what it did for my physical and mental journey.” Ella and Sawyer both grew as riders in the program. And both say the lessons learned through bike club – lessons of perseverance and doing hard things overflowed into other areas of their lives. “I learned the importance of staying consistent with my own health and working out. I saw the improvements from just one ride
Doing The Hard Things – June 2025
What’s inside: Breaking Records – Staying Focused: An update from ToddStrengthening Family Through Adventure TeamDetermination Driving Force Behind New Adventure Teams906AT Heads to Bay Cliff Health CampMade U.P. PodcastsMarquette Trail Running Series TransitionMarji Camp Kicks Off ThursdayJumping into the Outdoors: ConnectionSummer events with 906AT Breaking Records – Staying Focused In May, our Adventure Teams registered 1,175 youth for Adventure Bike Club this summer. That is a record. Since January, we recruited and trained more than 560 volunteers. Also, a record. Why am I sharing the numbers? It’s not to celebrate. And it’s not to gloat. It’s to remind us, and you, why we’re here. When I started the 906 Adventure Team eleven years ago, sitting at my kitchen table, it wasn’t to run epic events. That came later. In the beginning, it was about creating something special in our community, specifically for kids. We cannot ever forget that… We are here for the kids. How do we show it? By showing up… because we have 1,175 reasons to do it, and 560 volunteers who care, not for what they have to gain, but for what they can share. That friends, is the essence of “Doing The Hard Things.” Enjoy all of the stories Elizabeth and the team put together for this month’s newsletter. Todd Poquette ADVENTURE TEAM INFO Adventure Team became a steadying force For Liz Kyer and her three kids, Adventure Team has meant so much more than riding bikes, it’s meant stability, adventure, and a place to grow – together. Liz’s kids are heading into their 4th year with Adventure Team Lansing – ages 15, 12 and 9 – they began the same year their family began working through the divorce process. Liz says bike club nights became a steadying force. The clear expectations of the program combined with the opportunity to do something together – yet separately – gave the family a place to connect and work through challenges. She says the “Power of Yet” has become a huge part of her family dynamic – and Adventure Team gave them all a first hand experience of “maybe I can’t do something right now, but eventually I will.” From handling conflict to building resiliency and forming friendships – the experiences of bike club spread into their lives. She says they’ve learned things will be okay, even when it’s hard (and even when you don’t like it) – and that they can tackle challenges and come out the other side with new skills. And perhaps most impactful – that sometimes you just have to slow down, give people space and be patient when coming together to solve a problem. The impact hasn’t just been with her kids. Liz started coaching the second year they were involved. And she says the impacts have seeped into everything she does. “It’s allowed me to do things I never thought I would. I never had mountain biking on my radar.” Liz is enjoying the ride, carrying with her the motto, “let’s try this, even if it’s uncomfortable.” The family of four now rides together outside of bike club. They don’t compete, they don’t go fast. They’re in it for the time together and to get outside into the woods. She says that’s what she wants other families just getting into the program or considering it for their kids to know – that it’s not about being in a certain group, perfecting a skill, or having the best equipment – it’s about being present, noticing things around you and encouraging one another – and of course hanging out in the woods.By Elizabeth Peterson “We need this in our town” This year marks the start of two new Adventure Teams in Michigan, groups are kicking off new programs in Kalamazoo and Ludington. For those who’ve started an Adventure Team, you know the feeling of excitement leading up to that first day and the hard work that happens long before the first ride. We wanted to learn a bit more about the inspiration behind these two teams and how these teams came together. We start in Kalamazoo: The story behind Adventure Team Kalamazoo begins in 2020 when Nick Travis decided to do the Crusher EX. It was his first 906AT event and he was thrilled that despite all the canceled events COVID caused that year, there was an option to hit the trails. Getting checked in for the race he noticed a couple of guys wearing Barry-Roubaix shirts – he chatted with them and learned they were all from the same area, Kalamazoo. One of those guys was Travis Hutchens. A friendship was created through a shared interest in adventure biking. They began biking together, getting their families together. They continued to participate in events, learning more about the organization behind The Crusher, Marji and Polar Roll – 906 Adventure Team. Travis recalls it all just came together and fit. As a teacher he remembers thinking, “we need this in our town. Kids are seeking this – they just don’t know what they’re looking for.” Nick and Travis, along with Steve Anschuetz and Josh Torrans have all been instrumental in getting this summer’s program started. Nick says they made it happen by keeping focused on the goal and keeping things light and fun. He says there is an undercurrent of people in Kalamazoo who want an Adventure Team to happen because they believe in the mission and the positive impact on today’s kids. There’s momentum in Kalamazoo. Nick believes in his community and sees an opportunity to grow not just the infrastructure but the biking community – to grow what’s already there from trail access to businesses – one step at a time. For now – he’s anxiously waiting for the first night of Adventure Team – seeing basecamp set up for the first time – volunteers in place – the flags and canopies – and that moment when he can exhale and say, “Damn, we did it.” “Kids need this program” Now to Ludington:
Doing The Hard Things – May 2025
What’s inside: Adventure Team Registration is openMarc’s making a list and checking it twiceAT Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff BarschCrusher 2025: T & A CyclesMade U.P. PodcastsAdventure Leadership Summit RecapJumping into the OutdoorsSummer events with 906AT Adventure Team registration is open and the numbers are strong! Over 1,040 kids signed up over the weekend for the 2025 Adventure Team season! A number of communities are sold out and others are close to filling up! If you’re interested in joining this year registration will be open until Sunday, May 11 at 11:59 PM ET. Here’s the latest numbers:Adventure Team Delta County – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Dickinson County – 17 spots left Adventure Team Eau Claire County – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Gogebic County – 18 spots leftAdventure Team Grand Rapids – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Green Bay – 19 spots leftAdventure Team Iron County – 20 spots leftAdventure Team Kalamazoo Area – 23 spots leftAdventure Team La Crosse – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Lansing Burchfield – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Lansing East Gate – 10 spots leftAdventure Team Ludington – 26 spots leftAdventure Team Marquette – Monday – 1 spot leftAdventure Team Marquette – Thursday – 6 spot leftAdventure Team Midland – SOLD OUTAdventure Team Marquette – Monday Running – 19 spots leftAdventure Team Marquette – Thursday Running – 12 spots left ADVENTURE TEAM REGISTRATION INFO Marc’s making a list and checking it twice! The behind-the-scenes of preparing for 15 Adventure Teams looked a little like a storage unit after moving day. Boxes, signage, garbage cans and bikes filled just about every available inch of Basecamp on Lakeshore Boulevard in Marquette. On any given day for the past month you could find Marc Salm walking around with a clip board, checking, double checking and triple checking every community had the supplies they needed to successfully run their Adventure Team this summer. Nothing was left out. He meticulously counted every pen, zip tie and band-aid. The end result? We’re ready! Every team has what they need. The boxes have been distributed and come next month every community will unpack, set up their own Basecamp and kick off an epic Adventure Team season! “It’s a new adventure every year, there’s nothing routine about it.” Jeff Barsch has been volunteering for the 906 Adventure Team in Marquette for the past eight years. He began as a coach when his son became involved in the program, and while his son has graduated – Jeff remains as a volunteer..“I love biking, being outside. I see the value of the program,” says Barsch. His passion for 906AT was solidified in 2020 when he watched Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure, push to keep the program alive despite state mandated orders and restrictions. Jeff says watching him put so much time and energy into making the programs and events work – meant he would follow suit and do his part by volunteering. Jeff watched for years as his son developed his skills, learning the trails, challenging himself, getting to know other kids in the program – and now he’s dedicated to ensuring other kids have that same opportunity. He says there’s something special about watching the wonder of kids as they explore new trails, of getting to know a new group of riders each season and watching them develop socially and on the bike. It’s about preparing today’s youth for the challenges they’ll face in life. And it’s about giving back to kids, and to the community – plus, he admits it keeps him on the bike, active, connected and building new relationships every year. For those on the fence, wondering if they should get involved with 906AT, he says, “Just do it!” If you’re interested in being a part of the 906 Adventure Team, reach out to learn about volunteer opportunities and ways to make an impact!By Elizabeth Peterson VOLUNTEER NOW T & A: “It’s the adventure of it all!” It’s nearly impossible to say the names, Tammy Warner and Angie Palmer-Loiselle, in the cycling community without cracking a smile. The duo has been riding together for nearly 10 years – and while they’ve hit incredible cycling milestones and achievements together – they’ve also created an energy and air of positivity that might be more relished and cherished than any race finish. They are T & A – they have their own logo, represented on jackets and stickers – they show up in pink – smiling and ready for just about any challenge. They’ve created a brand – a brand representing friendship, doing hard things, and having fun doing it. T & A’s experience with 906 Adventure Team endurance races began in 2020 with the Crusher EX. At a time when everything was being canceled due to COVID – the Crusher EX gave riders a place to participate and keep moving forward. They started the course that year with a team of 6 – they spent a night in an outhouse – and learned the term self supported truly meant no one was coming to rescue them. All six riders failed, they didn’t finish. Tammy and Angie tried a second time that year – but again, didn’t finish. They were tested. They were challenged. They learned a lot about friendship. And they were hooked. The pair came back in 2021 – with unfinished business. Riding 262 miles, finishing the Crusher MS250 in 35 ½ hours. Angie recalls the race with a smile, though she laughs at how angry she remembers being – feeling delirious, battling the heat, the bugs – at one point she remembers yelling at Tammy, “Just leave me, I don’t need you.” Tammy did no such thing, yelling back, “You don’t get to be mean to me.” The heated exchange – emotions raw and real – fueled them to the finish. They both leaned into the mantra, “pedal, pedal, coast.” They both came out stronger. Tammy says they’ve learned a lot about what it means to show up for each other. “We’re just there for each other, to pull each
Doing The Hard Things – April 2025
What’s inside: From the Director of AdventureAdventure Team Registration2 New Communities Set to Launch ProgramsVolunteer TrainingMade U.P. PodcastsLeadership SummitJumping into the OutdoorsTraining Day 160 If you’re worried about doing it wrong, don’t! I came home from spring break with a story to share. Cable (my 14-year-old son) and I went to camp for a few days during spring break. We had a bunch of stuff planned, like shooting the bow he got for Christmas, scouting our hunting area for the best spot to put a bow blind, and getting all the gear (rods, reels, and tackle) ready for spring fishn’. Cable loves to fish, and he has collected a lot of gear over the last several years that’s all kinda been living in a hogpog of small tackle boxes and little plastic boxes. When we got to camp, I surprised him with a brand new tackle box I figured was big enough to consolidate all of his stuff into a one-stop shop. He was pretty excited. When he was ready, I helped get the stuff together and set him up with a workspace. Then, I discretely moved on to another project… leaving him to figure things out independently. Of course, that didn’t last long 😂 “Hey, Dad. Can you come here? I don’t know how to do this.” I went over to the table and asked, “What’s up, bud?” There was gear everywhere. He had a lure in each hand and looked up at me, kinda overwhelmed, “I’m not sure what to do. I don’t think it’ll all fit.” This was an important moment for both of us. Naturally, I have opinions about how I would set up that tackle box, but this was his box, not mine, and I wanted him to own every step. So, I just started asking him some questions. “How do you think you should organize the lures? By species? Or maybe by lure type?” He pulled out two plastic trays from the tackle box and said, “At first, I was gonna have a tray for bass, another for pike, and one for walleye, but a bunch of the lures can be used for multiple species, so that doesn’t make sense.” He set the trays down and got quiet. “I think organizing by lure type makes the most sense.” I nodded. He continued, “I can put all of the floaters together in this (showing me an empty bin), countdowns in this one, and spoons in another.” He smiled. I smiled, too. “I think you’re onto something, Cable,” I said and started to walk back to what I was working on, but then stopped and added, “If you’re worried about doing it wrong, don’t. This is your tackle and box; you can set it up any way you want. If you don’t like it… change it. You’re the boss.” I wanted to share this story with our 906AT community because I think we (adults) all too often miss opportunities to encourage curiosity and empower kids to get creative and make decisions. In this example with Cable, I was trying to let him take control and let him know I trusted him! I also wanted to make sure he knows there’s no wrong way to set up his tackle. Even if there was a right and a wrong way – what’s the worst that can happen? He has to do it again? Heck, there’s nothing wrong with learning that way (hands-on). It’s fun for adults to feel like they have all of the answers, but what’s the cost for our kids? Let’s give em’ some space to run with their ideas. Who knows. Maybe they’ll teach us something we didn’t know. By Todd Poquette Mark your calendars! AT registration opening soon! Adventure Team Youth Registration: Saturday, May 3 @ noonEarly Registration for kids of volunteers: Friday, May 2 @ 6:00am – 9:06pm Step 1: Sign upStep 2: Show upStep 3: Enjoy the ride (especially the hard stuff) Many of the teams sell out within a few hours. Set a reminder and be ready to register! Adventure Team kids learn how to do hard things AND that they are capable of doing them without always needing an incentive. Learning how to do the hard stuff for the sake of doing it is a skill that will serve them as children and adults. The goal of Adventure Team is to reach all youth, regardless of ability, goals or equipment. From there we focus on discovery. Everyone rides at AT, no one sits out – regardless of age or experience. This is about developing a lifestyle, building a community, and removing the finish line. Failure is viewed as an opportunity to learn. Competition is within the individual: You vs. You. If you’re on our mailing list – watch your inbox, we’ll be sending more information via email regarding registration as the date gets closer. In the meantime – click the link below and watch the video on how to prepare for registration and make sure you’re ready to claim a spot. ADVENTURE TEAM REGISTRATION INFO We’re adding 2 new Adventure Teams! This year we’re excited to be running Adventure Teams in 15 communities in the Midwest with the addition of Adventure Team Kalamazoo and Adventure Team Ludington. This means more kids will be given opportunities to get outside, get off the sideline and get into the elements. This is what it’s about. This is what we show up for. Today’s kids, tomorrow’s leaders. Adventure Team Coach Training: Get er done! Volunteers! Don’t wait – get your online training started (and finished)! Deadline to complete: April 23 If you’ve registered to volunteer, check your inbox for instructions on how to go through the online training. It will come from There are nine modules covering everything from Adventure Team mindset, basecamp logistics and expectations to trail etiquette, riding, first aid and abuse prevention. Take this seriously – take notes – and come prepared to Adventure Team! VOLUNTEER Made U.P. Episode 3:
Doing The Hard Things – March 2025
What’s inside: From Basecamp – Podcasts are LIVE – Become a Volunteer Leadership Summit 2025 – Jumping into the Outdoors The Polar Roll – Experience I’m finally a part of the 906 Adventure Team! To understand my excitement is to go back to the beginning. Now, I wrote a lengthy story for this newsletter – I am not a human of few words – but many. However, rather than fill up the entire first edition of this newsletter – I asked Todd if he wanted to record a podcast and talk about the experiences that brought me here and why my passion for this organization is so personal. I’ve never been afraid of doing hard things, in fact, I seek them out. A quiet and shy child I was drawn to broadcast television not because I wanted to be famous or loved the spotlight, but rather because it scared me…. pushed me outside of my comfort zone. From my time in the news industry as an anchor, reporter and co-host of a lively lifestyle program to backpacking Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, Glacier National Park and beyond… I have throughout my life sought out challenges and adventures that pushed me to my limits. It’s where I found myself. It’s where I connected to that “something that is bigger than all of us.” It’s where I found my strength and cemented my values. I shared that with my daughter from a young age. Taking her backpacking, canoeing, hiking… I watched her thrive, connect, push her limits, break and build herself back up through outdoor adventure. Parenting my son was a completely different experience, one that pushed me to 906AT. This organization was the catalyst to incredible growth for my son. And it’s the story I wanted to share with all of you. It’s a story about commitment, doing hard things, having open conversations and never giving up. Click here to listen to my conversation with Todd and the first episode of the new #blametodd pod. After you listen, I think you’ll understand why, I have for years been waiting for an opportunity with 906AT that fits my skills, my beliefs, and my life’s mission. And why I want to be a part of the team that cultivates a space that encourages and creates space for kids to push their boundaries, do hard things and find their inner strength, confidence and worth. I’m here for it all. I’m here to do it myself… to keep pushing through my discomfort. The world needs this. Our kids need this. And I will work my tail off to keep the 906AT mission moving forward. By Elizabeth Peterson Made U.P. Podcast – these episodes will be longer formatted, deep conversations about the inner workings of doing hard things. They’re honest, raw, gritty, tough conversations and topics about life, living, failing and picking up the pieces. They’ll be about 906AT events and they won’t be. We’re making it up as we go. You’re going to have to tune in to see where it takes us. *intended for audiences 18 and older. #blametodd pod – these episodes will be shorter – focused on topics around 906 Adventure Team, people, experiences and programs. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube ChannelClick here to follow us on Spotify “Am I good enough to volunteer?” That’s the question we hear – the question that may be holding you back from volunteering and potentially giving a child an opportunity to participate. Here’s our answer: It all starts with showing up. If you know how to ride a mountain bike and have experience on a variety of trails; paved trails, two-tracks, singletrack, etc, you’ll be just fine, and by the end of the summer your riding skills will be better, too. Our common ground isn’t skill based. It isn’t performance driven. Our common ground is core values and providing opportunity for people to discover a better version of themselves. Getting better takes hard work, patience, and let’s be real, a community that supports you. Last year 1,200 kids got on bikes through Adventure Team programs in 13 communities. This year we’re growing that number to 1,300+ kids in 15 communities. That means we’ll need 550+ volunteers. We can’t do this without you. We can’t get kids on bikes without you. We need you. VOLUNTEER NOW Leadership Summit 2025 The 2025 Leadership Summit will look a little different than past summits. This year 906AT implemented a new learning management system for volunteer coaches. This new system is branded and streamlined, which allowed 906AT to require the online training for all volunteer coaches. This change to the volunteer training is providing an opportunity for an expansion of the volunteer training (rather than an in-person version of the online training). The two-day summit will focus on an indoor training day to include sharing the 906 story, practicing connections with kids, first aid in the field and Q&A for a panel of current lead coaches. The second day will focus on outdoor training and will include bike skills and bike mechanics. REGISTER NOW Have you ever climbed a tree? When I was a child, my siblings and I were allowed to climb as high as we wanted as long as we could get ourselves back down. I do not remember my parents ever “saving” us, nor did we sustain any injuries from falling out of the tree. I just witnessed this same policy with a group of pre-school children who were on an adventure with a forest school class. I think it is a bit unusual to see an outdoor school class with this policy these days. At the adventure that I witnessed the kids were safe – not safe from all risk but safe in that the adult on site knew where the child was and that the child could explain how to get themselves back down. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment that child felt when they successfully managed the climb and descent on their own.
IT’S TIME TO ROLL 2025
YOU AND THE CREW GETTING READY TO ROLL POLAR ROLL-MS FIELD MANUAL Your single source of truth for all things related to the Polar Roll Mass Start Event is contained within the PR-Field Manual. Packet pickup, Locations, Start Times, and more… all in the Field Manual. Read it. Also in the PR-Field Manual: A detailed explanation of the inherent dangers associated with this event, safety precautions, and the rules. Your preparation is your responsibility. When you show up and take the line you are telling us you have read everything we provided and ya know what you signed up to do, and you’re ready. If that’s not the case… you should stay home. GPX FILES POLAR ROLL GEAR STORE CLOSES February 23, 2025 BUY NOW POLAR ROLL ULTRA FIELD MANUAL Your single source of truth for all things related to the Polar Roll Ultra is contained within the PR-Field Manual. Packet pickup, Locations, Start Times, Required Gear and more… all in the Field Manual. Read it. Also in the PR-Field Manual: A detailed explanation of the inherent dangers associated with this event, safety precautions, and the rules. Your preparation is your responsibility. When you show up and take the line you are telling us you have read everything we provided and ya know what you signed up to do, and you’re ready. If that’s not the case… you should stay home. LIVE TIMING Supporting Partners
Polar Roll 2025
The 2025 Polar Roll is gonna be one to remember: We’re bringing back the Point-to-Point MS30 format and we’re spicing up the MS15. EX routes are gonna get some updates, and we’re planning to roll out some brand new backwoods winter adventures for ya to enjoy. PR-ULTRA is back for the third year, and the route is gonna get some updates. Last but not least, we’re happy to share that Polar Roll will be presented by 45NRTH this year (and into the future). Now let’s get some damn snow! REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 3RD AT 9:06 AM Days Hours Minutes Seconds REGISTER GET A TRAINING AND NUTRITION PLAN TO BE A #FINISHER MS EVENT 02.15.25 Read More EX EVENT 1.1.25 – 3.16.25 Read More ULTRA140 EVENT 2.17.25 Read More POLAR ROLL – MS (LIMITED TO 400 SPOTS) Date: 2.17.25 Why: You love winter adventuring with 400 of your best friends.Who: Anyone signed up for the Polar Roll-MS, their support crews, friends and family, and sponsors. What: 15 or 30 miles of machine groomed singletrack, by bike or on foot. When: February 15, 2025 Where: Start Line: TBD, Finish Line: 319 East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855 Routes: Will not be released until the week of the event. GPS is required! If you do not use GPS, go off course, or cut the course, you will be disqualified. Event start times: MS-30 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR25-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released MS-15 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR25-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released Event Cut-offs: 12 hours for all event lengths. Timing company: https://www.superiortiming.com/ 2025 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL – EX Date: 1.1.25 – 3.16.25 Why: You prefer your winter adventures alone, or with a small group of friends.Who: Anyone looking for a challenge, or seeking a winter goal. What: EX15, EX30, Duathlon for Dummies, IQ Test. When: January 1 – March 16, 2025Where: TBD Routes: EX routes will be available one week prior to the opening of the EX window. Start Times: Whenever the hell you want. Event Cut-offs: 24 Hours, All events. Timing company: Refer to the Field Manual for details. Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. 2025 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL ULTRA (LIMITED TO 75 SPOTS) Date: 2.17.25 We’re not looking for race resumes, but we do need some info if you wanna do the Ultra. You need to Email Todd. Why: Because you’re looking for a new challenge that will take you to your limits. Who: This event is capped and will be limited to participants whom we allow to register for it. What: PR-Ultra (140 miles) When: February 17, 2025 Where: Start TBD, Finish: West End Ski & Trail, Ishpeming, MI Route: The 2025 route will receive a few “enhancements”. Stay tuned. Start Time: 7:00 AMEvent Cut-off: 48 hours. Buckle Times will be established once the route is finalized.Timing company: https://trackleaders.com/ Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. In compliance with MCL 324.51113 of the Commercial Forest Act, none of the funds raised for this event will be used as payment or compensation for use of any part of the event that traverses property enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program. 2025 Field Manual: Coming Soon. COMPLETE THE TRIPLE CROWN GET INVITED TO THE SECRET EVENT Supporting Partners
Book and Podcast recommendations for Volunteers – May
2024 VOLUNTEERS – APRIL UPDATE Summit Attendees, Volunteers, and Presenters, It was mentioned several times at the summit, but it’s worth saying again… We are here to be a resource for developing resilient youth, and we need YOU to help us do it. Therefore, helping you is as important as helping the kids because you deliver the messages to them. To that end, I wanted to share some resources. You’ll find links to two books. I highly recommend them. Junger and Haidt are two of my favorite writers. TRIBE is an incredible book that reinforces our desire and need for community. Anxious Generation is a call to action. I hope you enjoy them both. Additionally, I shared a couple of podcasts. Huberman Lab and Jocko Podcast are two of my favorites. Both of the episodes I shared with you speak to our mission. The third podcast is actually a podcast in which I was the guest, and Julie Cunningham was one of the hosts. TRIBE We have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding–“tribes.” This tribal connection has been largely lost in modern society, but regaining it may be the key to our psychological survival.Decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin lamented that English settlers were constantly fleeing over to the Indians-but Indians almost never did the same. Tribal society has been exerting an almost gravitational pull on Westerners for hundreds of years, and the reason lies deep in our evolutionary past as a communal species. The most recent example of that attraction is combat veterans who come home to find themselves missing the incredibly intimate bonds of platoon life. The loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment may explain the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by military veterans today. Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, TRIBE explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians-war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations. TRIBE explains why we are stronger when we come together, and how that can be achieved even in today’s divided world. Anxious Generation THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Coddling of the American Mind, an essential investigation into the collapse of youth mental health-and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood. After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on most measures. Why? In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the *play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies. Most important, Haidt issues a clear call to action. He diagnoses the “collective action problems” that trap us, and then proposes four simple rules that might set us free. He describes steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to end the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more humane childhood. Haidt has spent his career speaking truth backed by data in the most difficult landscapes-communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the public health emergency faced by Gen Z. We cannot afford to ignore his findings about protecting our children-and ourselvesfrom the psychological damage of a phone-based life. https://youtu.be/etEJrznE-c0?feature=shared HUBERMAN LAB Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. He has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills and cognitive functioning. https://youtu.be/fQPj5Xww5UY?feature=shared JOCKO PODCAST JOCKO WILLINK is a decorated retired Navy SEAL officer, author of the book Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, and co-founder of Echelon Front, where he is a leadership instructor, speaker, and executive coach. Jocko spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams, starting as an enlisted SEAL and rising through the ranks to become a SEAL officer. As commander of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser during the battle of Ramadi, he orchestrated SEAL operations that helped the “Ready First” Brigade of the US Army’s First Armored Division bring stability to the violent, war-torn city.Task Unit Bruiser became the most highly decorated Special Operations Unit of the Iraq War. Jocko returned from Iraq to serve as Officer-in-Charge of training for all West Coast SEAL Teams. There, he spearheaded the development of leadership training and personally instructed and mentored the next generation of SEAL leaders who have continued to perform with great success on the battlefield. TEACH WONDER We know that powerful things are happening in education and that those powerful things often go unnoticed or are siloed (within a community). We’ve built a space to share those powerful things, where we aren’t constrained by distance and scheduling. We’ll combine our 35 years of K – 12 teaching experience with the unique perspectives of our guests