The Fathoms Alaska Story

How It All Started

        Fathoms Alaska was born out of the shared experiences of our founding team. Each member of our team spent hundreds of days in the field in our course area while working for a behavioral health program called Alaska Crossings.   


      In early 2022 Alaska Crossings closed its doors after nearly 20 years of service. This left not only a hole in the lives of our team but also in the community of Wrangell, Alaska. Fathoms was born quickly after this time as the founding team saw an opportunity to pursue their dreams of starting an outdoor and environmental education program and being able to give back to a community that meant so much to them.


      The lives of the founding team were changed by the landscape, people, and environment of Southeast Alaska. We now work to use that canvas as our classroom to share this unique place with others.


Where We Find Ourselves Now

     While Fathoms Alaska was born in the spring of 2022, it was not until that summer that our structure really began to take form. The founding team embarked on a 10 day canoeing expedition, in order to be directly inspired and informed by our tripping area while we created the structure and outline of our future business! 

   During those 10 days of downpour, sunshine and rainbows, of whales, porpoises, crabs and hillbut, of laughter and meetings, our exploration fueled our  creation!

   Since that summer expedition, the founding team has committed itself to ensuring that Fathoms runs from a solid foundation of support.

    By participating in and completing the 'Paths to Prosperity Business Bootcamp' with the local organization, SpruceRoot, the team was able to sculpt their exact business structure and clarify their financial needs. 

   With a defined mission, vision, values and strategy plan, in 2023 Fathoms primary focus is on funding sources, partnerships and non profit status.


Moving Forward & Fathoms Future

   Fathoms understands that relationship is at the core of Southeast Alaska culture. We are taking time to introduce ourselves to the surrounding community, individuals and organizations, in hopes of exploring alliances and partnerships.

   Financial support is crucial for Fathoms next steps. We are actively pursuing grants and other funding opportunities through individual donors, crowd funding, and organizational alliances. Our priority for investment will be to purchase our first expeditions worth of ocean canoeing gear!

    Fathoms goal is to evolve its business structure (currently an LLC) to better reflect its mission and values. We are actively exploring opportunities for fiscal sponsorship in 2023 in order to support our overall goal of becoming 501c3 non profit organization in the near future.

    Throughout the 2023 year, our founding team members will also be working on developing custom curriculum that will highlight the experiential education opportunities of our tripping area.

    Of course, 2023 is an important year to introduce ourselves to the industry. To pursue future relationships, to spread the word about our mission and come winter, to enroll our 2024 programs!!

FAQs

Have some basic questions about Fathoms Alaska, check these answers out!

  • What makes Fathoms different from other programs in the area?

    South East Alaska has a variety of ourdoor education organizations, that make up an inspirational community for us to become part of. That being said, no other organization is opperating expedition style ocean canoeing, and no other organization is opperating in our specific tripping area. 

  • How was the founding team chosen?

    The founding team came together organically, drawn to the same dream of continueing the legacy of Alaska Crossings and ready to take action and commit their time and energy to making that dream a reality. 

  • What is your business structure?

    In 2022 Fathoms Alaska filed as an LLC. However our goal has always to become 501c3 Non profit organzation, and we are currently pursuing fiscal sponsorship in order to fast track that process.

  • Where do you envision going in the future?

    Fathoms Future must be informed by the community and environments that we work with. We will strive to evolve and meet their needs as they arise. 

Want to learn more about Fathoms?

Fathoms is WAY COOL! We know. We would love to share more with you about this incredible creation!

Get in Contact with Us!
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