Welcome to XP Adventure: Where Families Connect with Nature and Guides Build Sustainable Careers

Originally featured in Shoutout Colorado

The Problem That Changed Everything

After years in the nonprofit outdoor education space, I witnessed something that kept me up at night. Young people would have incredible, transformative outdoor experiences in our programs, only to lose that connection the moment they returned home. Despite our success, we were treating symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

The reality hit me hard – these youth lacked the family support system to continue their outdoor journey independently. Without parents or guardians who shared their newfound passion, their outdoor adventures ended when our programs did. We were creating temporary transformations instead of lasting change.

But there was another problem I couldn't ignore: the broken economics of the guiding industry. I watched passionate, skilled guides struggle financially while working in a system that fundamentally undervalued their expertise. The traditional model of how guides are compensated is unsustainable and unfair.

A New Vision Takes Shape

This revelation sparked a fundamental shift in my approach. Real impact happens when entire families develop outdoor connections together. When parents and children share these experiences, the learning continues at home, skills are practiced together, and outdoor adventures become part of the family's identity rather than isolated events.

XP Adventure was born to flip this equation entirely. Our platform empowers guides to set their own rates, choose their ideal clients, and focus on activities they're passionate about. Instead of growing the industry upward through bigger companies, we're growing it outward by creating more sustainable, independent guide businesses.

What Makes XP Adventure Different

What sets us apart isn't just what we do – it's how we approach the entire outdoor industry. We operate year-round with endless opportunities for impact, but more importantly, we've flipped the traditional guiding model on its head.

Our guides choose their own path and focus on what they love, while we handle the backend complexities like marketing, insurance, permits, consulting, and more. This isn't about getting rich quick or exploiting natural resources – it's about creating a model where both guides and participants can thrive sustainably.

I'm most excited about seeing the transformation happen in real time. Guides who left the industry due to unsustainable economics are coming back because our model actually works for them. Others are using our platform to launch their own outdoor businesses. That's the kind of systemic change I'm passionate about creating.

Building Something Worthwhile

Was it easy? I'd say I had a significant advantage – the confidence that comes from building something successful before. I had already founded a thriving nonprofit that brought outdoor education to Title 1 schools throughout the Denver area. The experience taught me that if you can make a nonprofit successful, you have the fundamental skills to build any kind of organization.

But having confidence doesn't eliminate challenges. Building XP Adventure has required determination, drive, countless late nights, and sacrificed weekends. I've worked other jobs to pay the bills while simultaneously building the business from the ground up.

Perhaps even more valuable has been learning the power of patience. Too many times, I felt rushed into decisions – accepting high quotes for insurance or other services because I needed answers quickly. But when I forced myself to slow down, continue researching, and wait for the right fit, I consistently found better solutions at much better costs.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that nothing worthwhile comes easy. But I've also learned that things happen in the time they're supposed to, not necessarily when we want them to.

Our Mission: Ethically Accessible Outdoor Recreation

What I want the world to know about XP Adventure is that we're here to make outdoor recreation ethically accessible. This isn't just marketing speak – it's a fundamental commitment that drives every decision we make.

We're creating ethically accessible outdoor experiences while simultaneously transforming guiding into a sustainable career path. We empower outdoor professionals with true entrepreneurial freedom, allowing them to be their own boss while pursuing their passion.

XP Adventure represents proof that business can be a force for positive change. We're not just another outdoor company competing for market share. We're building a new paradigm where ethical access to nature and sustainable careers can coexist and strengthen each other.

Join Our Journey

We're not just offering outdoor experiences – we're reimagining how families connect with nature and how guides build meaningful careers. This is about creating lasting change, both in the lives we touch and in the industry we serve.

Whether you're a family looking to build deeper connections through outdoor adventures, or a guide seeking to build a sustainable career doing what you love, XP Adventure is here to support your journey.

Ready to experience the difference? Learn more at www.xpadventure.org about our family-focused outdoor adventures and how we're transforming the guiding industry, one experience at a time.

This story was originally shared with, and to view the full story click the link, Shoutout Colorado, an online publication and platform that focuses on sharing the stories of artists, creatives, local businesses, and entrepreneurs in Colorado.