We Support the Outdoors

Merrell believes in encouraging and equipping everyone to get outside. The organizations we support share our mission to increase participation in the outdoors, especially among children, and ensure that we have a natural playground in which to recreate for generations to come. Here's a short list of like minded organizations we support.

FONDATION CHRISTIAN VACHON (LE RELAIS DU LAC MEMPHRÉMAGOG)

The goal of the Fondation Christian Vachon is to decrease school drop-out rates by helping primary school children from low income families in the Eastern Townships be more successful at school.

In September 2006, Christian Vachon, a Magog fireman and paramedic at Ambulance de l’Estrie, was the first marathon runner ever to run the shores of Lake Memphremagog in one day, a total of 104 kilometres. For this event, Mr. Vachon’s fellow paramedics organized a highly successful fundraising campaign for children at risk of dropping out. Since then, the Relais du Lac Memphrémagog is an annual event organized by the Fondation Christian Vachon. Thanks to this ultra marathon, a growing number of children receive immediate and direct aid to help them work towards a more promising future.
www.relaisdulacmemphremagog.com/a-propos-du-relais-du-lac-memphremagog/christian-vachon.php
(French website)

ÉCOLE AUGUSTIN-NORBERT-MORIN SKI-STUDY PROGRAM

The ski-study program at École secondaire Augustin-Norbert-Morin was designed within an educational framework to help every student develop their full athletic, academic and emotional potential. Renowned for its excellence, the program was inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame in 2007. Students registered in the program have the opportunity to hone their athletic abilities and complete high school with grades above provincial averages. Students also benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of highly qualified and experienced teachers and coaches who are as passionate about sliding sports as they are.
www2.cslaurentides.qc.ca/ecoles/anm/IMG/pdf/AN_Morin_Depliant.pdf
(French document only)

LOISIRS LAURENTIDES

Established in 1971, the mission of Loisir, de sport et de plein air des Laurentides, a regional organization also known as Loisirs Laurentides, is to be the main source of information for all matters that pertain to sports, recreation, and outdoor activities in the Laurentians. Recognized by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation, Loisir et Sport du Québec, the organization coordinates various events that promote regional pride in its recreational, artistic and community merits. Loisirs Laurentides also communicates information relevant to its organization via its quarterly “Mieux Vivre” newsletter and its website.
www.loisirslaurentides.com
(French website)

THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

In an era when technology consumes our society, Merrell has teamed up with the National Park Foundation in a quest to inspire everyone, everywhere to get outside and to reconnect with the fundamental and critical role our parks play in helping people experience nature, the outdoors and discovery. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, raises essential funds to meet the most critical needs of the National Park Service. Through its work, NPF helps to fund conservation and habitat restoration efforts, connect youth to parks, promote citizenship, and preserve and tell the stories of our history in the places that it actually happened.

For our children, our planet and our well-being experience and promote all that our National Parks have to offer. Discover Your Parks Today!
www.nationalparks.org

APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is a volunteer-based, private non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to Georgia. Its mission is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, scenic vistas, wildlife and opportunities for simple recreation and renewal along the entire Trail corridor. Plan to hike the Appalachian Trail? The ATC site gives you all the details from trail maps to protecting the trail.
www.appalachiantrail.org

AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY

The American Hiking Society promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience. Its National Trails Days celebration takes place nationwide the first Saturday in June, bringing together thousands of outdoor enthusiasts for trail dedications and maintenance, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and more. We hope to see you out on the trails this June.
www.americanhiking.org

BAY AREA WILDERNESS TRAINING

Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) creates opportunities for urban youth to experience the natural outdoors first hand by providing youth agency staff wilderness leadership training and outdoor equipment so that they, along with the youth they serve, may explore the power and beauty of California's wilderness. To date, BAWT has helped serve over 6,000 youth through camping, hiking and backpacking wilderness adventures.
www.bawt.org

CONSERVATION ALLIANCE

Merrell is a member of The Conservation Alliance, an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Since its inception in 1989, the Alliance has contributed more than $6 million to help protect rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas. Alliance funding has helped save over 38 million acres of wildlands; stop or remove 26 dams; and preserve access to more than 16,000 miles of waterways and several climbing areas. In August of 2008, The Conservation Alliance introduced ConservationNEXT to engage individuals in conservation efforts. ConservationNEXT seeks to create the next generation of stewards who will help protect our threatened wild places.
www.conservationnext.com
www.conservationalliance.com

PROJECT ATHENA

Project Athena is a non-profit foundation that encourages women to not just survive--but go on to STRIVE after enduring life altering yet life affirming medical conditions. Project Athena provides coaching, equipment, travel expenses, entry fees, and, most importantly, encouragement and inspiration for women who desire to unleash the athlete within and strive for the goal of a lifetime--whether that be to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, cross the finish line of an Ironman Triathlon, or fall into the arms of a proud family at the end of a local 5K.
www.projectathena.org

YOUTH OUTDOORS LEGACY FUND

Merrell is proud to encourage a lifetime love of nature for kids through the Youth Outdoors Legacy Fund (YOLF). YOLF is an outdoor community foundation that funds inspirational outdoor programs that give kids from all walks of life a chance to experience the joys and benefits of being outside. Purchase anything from merrell.com between February 1st and March 1st, and we'll donate $5.00 to YOLF. Shop today and help get one more kid outside!
www.youthoutdoorslegacyfund.com