Backcountry Film Festival Holiday Silent Auction

As a Winter Wildlands Alliance SnowSchool, Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE) hosts the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival in Sandpoint, and other locales, to raise critical funding for our SnowSchool Experience program – part of the nations largest experiential, place-based education program which serves over 32,000 underserved youth each year. During SOLE's annual winter fundraising event attendees are treated to a series of juried and award-winning films – shown throughout the nation, and even internationally! In addition, SOLE always has a-rockin' raffle; Holiday Silent Auction with gifts from event sponsors including major gear manufacturers and local businesses; and other special surprises.

In 2016, SOLE moved to an online format for our Holiday Silent Auction so supporters that aren't able to attend due to geographic or scheduling conflicts can still support our effort to get local area youth out on the snow to explore > achieve > lead!

Our mission is to provide transformational experiences which empower participants to become active learners and responsible stewards of their community and its environment.

We offer a wide range of experiential and outdoor education programming to achieve this mission, including day-based outdoor science experiences and multi-day interdisciplinary expeditions. Our aim is to provide highly intentional experiential and outdoor education programming for all stakeholders of this region, not just a select few.

With our local poverty rate of above 40% in our local schools, this task can seem daunting.

We believe we can rise to this challenge through acquiring the necessary funding from generous individuals, organizations, businesses, and corporations that choose to partner with SOLE to further our mission.

It is simple - to continue this critical work we must have the necessary resources in place. Our hosting of the Backcountry Film Festival each year, which includes our Holiday Silent Auction provides an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal. Patrons, event sponsors, and partners coupled with SOLE's continued ambition provide the necessary ingredients to provide these experiential education opportunities for the youth of our communities.

SOLE continues to focus on addressing our communities’ needs, especially that which relates to providing affordable and accessible experiential and outdoor education programming for our area youth. We use all proceeds and donations collected from our Backcountry Film Festival events to assist with providing the necessary resources for our winter Fieldwork Experience programming, including our nationally recognized and awarded SnowSchool Experience Program – the nations largest on-snow winter ecology program which serves over 450 underserved youths each year providing over 3,200 hours of on-the-snow direct instruction. Funding collected will be utilized for programming expenses, including securing the necessary gear and equipment to make these experiences safe and enjoyable. By funding this program we will be able to design and facilitate novel on-snow experiential learning opportunities for our area youth for another winter season, and in turn, develop future leaders who are outdoor enthusiasts with a sound wildland ethic.

The learning environment that we cultivate for our youth sets a trajectory for a lifetime. It is imperative that we all align to nurture the leaders and environmental stewards of tomorrow. Experiential and outdoor education supports a lifelong learning pattern that includes caring for our environment through personal exploration, achieving goals, and leading others - cornerstones of any SOLE Experience.

We would be honored if you would bid on our goods and services, and thank you for your sincere consideration. Thank you for supporting our work, and most importantly the youth of our communities.

Please come to the 14th Annual Backcountry Film Festival at The Hive in beautiful, and historic Sandpoint, Idaho on November 30th, 2018!

As SOLE's annual fundraiser this community event is not only a celebration of the coming of 'ole man winter, it's a novel way to raise essential funds to ensure that over 450 underserved local area youth have the opportunity to explore and learn in their winter wildlands.

Learn more at: www.soleexperiences.org/backcountry-film-festival

PLEASE NOTE: Any items that have not reached the "Buy It Now" price WILL transition to the LIVE event. If you are unable to attend but would like to continue "bidding" on the big night please let us know as we will transition to BIDDING SHEETS on the big night. Our fundraising committee would be happy to help you continue your bid! Please reach out to us at: info@soleexperiences.org for more info.