ABOUT THE AASC
The American Adventure Sports Club (AASC) is a non-profit organization providing free and no-cost year-round adventure sports training, camps, and support for underrepresented communities, including youth and adults from low-income households, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islanders, multicultural folks, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Everyone is welcome regardless of identity, disability, income level, age, or outdoor experience. We also welcome allies, volunteers, and partners to join or support our community of new and experienced adventurers.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDERS
Antoinette Lee, the co-founder of Diversify Whitewater, founded the American Adventure Sports Club to create ongoing adventure sports learning opportunities and a community for youth and adults from underrepresented communities. Together with Matthew Berrafato, they worked to create a club where everyone felt visible, included, welcome, and capable of learning how to adventure and practice conservation in their community.
The club's leadership is a shining testament to its success. Kennedy Pinkney, a former youth club member, has blossomed into a trained raft and hiking guide and now serves as the club manager. This journey from a club member to a leader is proof of our goal to nurture the next generation of adventurers, professionals, competitive athletes, and entrepreneurs, filling us with hope and inspiration for the future.
Our first club chapter began in Loveland, Colorado, and we are poised to open a Midwest chapter in the coming years.
OUR MISSION
At The American Adventure Sports Club, our mission is to make the health and social benefits of outdoor adventure and conservation training, careers, and community available to underrepresented youth and adults.
OUR VISION
Our vision is a world where anyone wanting to get outside and adventure will have access to knowledge, gear, and a community for safe and sustainable outdoor recreation.
MEET OUR ADVENTURE TEAM
Our adventure guides are experienced outdoor enthusiasts, who strive to provide an unforgettable outdoor experience for all participants and volunteers, alongside other adventure guides.
Organization Director
Antoinette Lee, MBA
A freelance writer at Culturs Magazine and Paddling Magazine, an outdoor industry influencer, model, and brand ambassador for several top-tier outdoor companies, including Carhartt, Kokatat, and Badfish SUP. She is the co-founder of Diversify Whitewater and founder of the American Adventure Sports Club. Antoinette is a DEI marketing implementation consultant who serves on the America Outdoors DEI task force. She can usually be found in the Northwoods, stewarding the forest and river around her homestead while living the adventure sports lifestyle.
Organization Manager
Kennedy Pinkney
An African-American non-profit organization manager, outdoor industry guide, model, and student at the Natural Resources College at Colorado State University.
We are currently looking for more adventure enthusiasts.
Apply to join our team today!
KEY AASC VOLUNTEERS
The American Adventure Sports Club greatly values all of its wonderful volunteers. We’ve included some of our key volunteers so that our community can get to know and appreciate the work they do as well!
Photographer
Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero
Jeanie has a diverse background, including roles as a software engineer, massage therapist, and photo restoration artist. Most recently Jeanie co-ran a software business with her husband, gaining recognition in books, magazines, and on PBS. Since 2017, she has channeled her creative energy into photography, believing it can transform our perception of the world around us. While some may see her as hiding behind the camera, she experiences a deep connection to the moment when capturing an instant that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her mission is to inspire others through her photographic journey.
Jeanie lives in the Rocky Mountain foothills near Fort Collins, Colorado, volunteering as a photographer for Larimer County Natural Resources.
Kayaking Veteran
Randy Mead
Randy Mead is a volunteer with Team River Runner - Denver chapter, an organization that provides all active duty, veterans, and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports! Randy started kayaking at age 13 and has paddled on and off ever since. He is a veteran of the US Navy and got involved with TRR after moving to Colorado from Vermont and desiring to get back into paddling after an 8 year break. Since finding TRR, Randy has found the opportunity to share his love and knowledge of kayaking with many veterans and civilians, both adults and children.