BY KAREN BOSSICK
Idaho BaseCamp will be the beneficiary of this year’s inaugural Sun Valley Tour de Force.
The two-day car event on July 27-28 will specifically support Idaho BaseCamp’s Outdoor Adventure fifth-grade program, which offers students a week of outdoor adventure education free of charge at the nonprofit organization’s headquarters near Mackay.
Idaho BaseCamp recently hosted more than 75 students from Alturas Elementary School in its first multi-night campout for elementary students from Blaine County School District. For many it was their first campout.
Students learned personal growth skills, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, team building, leadership and taking responsibility, while learning about wildlife and the environment.
“Idaho BaseCamp’s programs are directly impacting some of the youngest and most vulnerable in our community,” said Maya Blix, co-founder of Intrepid Events, Inc., and co-producer of Sun Valley Tour de Force with Whitney Werth Slade. “The skills they are learning will give them confidence to make smart, healthy and inspired decisions now and into the future.”
Mat Gershater, Idaho BaseCamp’s executive director, said he was thrilled to have his nonprofit selected as beneficiary.
“Our program has a lot of growth potential, and these funds will help us achieve a lasting future for the local fifth-graders,” he added.
The Sun Valley Tour de Force will feature a high-speed drive held at Phantom Hill 14 miles north of Ketchum where drivers will be able to push the speedometer on their sports cars in excess of 200 miles per hour.
A Sun Valley Tour de Force Car show will also be held in downtown Ketchum.
The event will also include the Huckleberry Drive, a group ride and drive north to Smiley Creek, and a Saturday night fundraiser featuring local foods, Idaho-inspired cocktails, an auction, raffle and entertainment.
A similar event—the 10th annual Sun Valley Road Rally—will be held on July 20-21 along Gannett Road south of Bellevue and will benefit the Blaine County Drug Coalition.
For more information, visit www.sunvalleytourdeforce.com.