Stroller Hikes 2012 Annual Report

Stroller Hikes was first created in 2006 by a mom eager to get outside with her baby to exercise and explore nature, but

not so eager to do it alone. Since 2008, Stroller Hikes has been a 501-c-3 educational nonprofit organization recognized

federally and in the state of California. Stroller Hikes’ Federal EIN is 26-3550147 and its California Corporation Number is

3160137.

The primary objectives of Stroller Hikes are:

To provide education for the general public through an informative website about hiking, running, biking, swimming, and other outdoor activities for families with children in strollers.

To promote healthy choices for families, with an emphasis on building an appreciation for nature, health, and fitness.

To directly engage in and to provide opportunities for others to engage in hiking and other outdoor events for families with children in strollers.

Board Members and Staff:

Debbie Frazier – President, Webmaster, Writer, Curriculum Developer, Event Leader Amy Bankhead – co-Secretary/Treasurer, Event Leader, Kaiser Outreach Coordinator Lisa Silberman Kafka – co-Secretary/Treasurer, Event Leader Melissa Jankowski – Board Member, Event Leader , Community Outreach Kristen McGuire-Husky – Board Member, Event Leader Jennifer Wagner – Board Member, Event Leader, Community Outreach Jordana Weiss -- Board Member, Community Outreach Julianne Rice – Board Member Debbie Erickson – Social Media Manager Liza Letona – Family Camping Coordinator Karl Klemmick – Event Leader, Community Outreach Karen Brard – Event Leader, Community Outreach Andrea Schpok – Event Leader, Community Outreach Rebecca Taylor – Event Leader, Community Outreach Pippa Gawley –Grant Writer Megan Hawkins – Event Leader Sabine De Brabandere – Event Leader Karen Zimmer – Event Leader Ellie Pojarska – Event Leader Ann Black – Event Leader Audrey Banerjee – Event Leader Lani Ho – Event Leader Ellin Payne – Event Leader

Board Members and Staff (continued from previous page):

Karen Brard – Event Leader Jennifer Fung – Event Leader Andrea Bruns – Event Leader Theresa Fox – Event Leader Jennifer Snedeker – Event Leader Amity Binkert – Technical Expert, Programmer, Internship Leader, Event Leader Emily Chueh – Technical Expert, Programmer Teela Pulliam – Technical Quality Assurance Cori Wilser – Technical Quality Assurance Helen Han – Technology Developer Sneha Sankavaram – Summer Intern, Technical Development Elia Chen – Summer Intern, Technical Development Sacheth Hegde – Summer Intern, Technical Development Vishnu Narayana – Summer Intern, Technical Development

Free Public Health Resource Run by Volunteers

Stroller Hikes continues to be a free public resource run exclusively by volunteers. Volunteers believe strongly in

running this resource that makes nature, exercise, and social opportunities more accessible to new families. Outdoor

events have been linked to decreasing prenatal and postpartum depression, preventing Nature Deficit Disorder,

improving environmental responsibility and understanding of natural science, improving overall health, and promoting

creative, free play. In 2012, volunteers provided 3502 hours of service.

New in 2012, event leaders were offered free First Aid and CPR training, and leaders were empowered to learn the

technology behind the new WordPress Stroller Hikes website, and to manage and create their own events on the

group’s Google Calendar. Additionally, more leaders contributed to newsletter content and to overnight events, than

had occurred in prior years. Hoorah for our volunteers!

Events for Everyone, Impacting Thousands

Stroller Hikes events in 2006 (the founding year) were mainly Stroller Hikes, as the organization name implies. In 2012,

there were 308 Stroller Hikes events.

A weekly automated poll used by event leaders provided a record of attendance of 48.1% of events at which 1408 adults and 1881 children participated.

Regular outdoor excursions included:

83 Stroller Hikes, mainly as our traditional fast-paced hikes for kids in strollers and moms moving quickly. Alternative Stroller Hikes included picnic hikes and urban hikes through downtown Mountain View. These were led primarily by Kristen, Megan, Rebecca, Jennifer W., and Amy.

76 Toddler Treks led by Andrea S., Karen Z., Debbie, Ann, Melissa, Karl, and Amy, for families encouraging kids to walk. One of these was a Moonlit Hike led by Jennifer S. 17 of these Toddler Treks were Beach Treks in Santa Cruz, Stroller Hikes’ first regular coastal events, led by Melanie and Xerry.

18 Runs: 9 Stroller Jogs led by Lani and Ellin. 9 Parent-Only Runs were offered by Ellie, a new offering regularly occurring at Arastradero Open Space during the warmer months.

31 Backpacking Bambinos (backpacking camping-training / rugged hikes at child’s pace) led by Debbie and Karl including a private event for Baby Boot Camp and a Dad’s Day Hike marketed in conjunction with Harmony and Blossom Birth

17 Rugged Family Hikes led by Andrea S., Audrey, Theresa, Andrea B., and Jennifer F. One of these included some brief horse riding, and another included geocaching.

31 Rock Climbing Events at Planet Granite Indoor Rock Climbing Gym, as new opportunity for families with toddlers looking to improve coordination and confidence, while becoming familiar with a sport and practicing taking turns. Lisa and Debbie led these events, belaying all participating kids. Planet Granite offered free equipment rentals to all Stroller Hikers. After their initial exposure with Stroller Hikes, several families continued, taking belay classes and tests, and climbing on their own, as well as with Stroller Hikes.

22 Bike-A-Hike and Mountain Bike-In-Training Events were offered by Amity, Sabine, and Debbie, which were all new offerings in 2012.

3 Free Demo Days provided by Baby Boot Camp of Mountain View, provided Stroller Hikers with aerobic and resistance-training workouts in local urban parks.

Large events included:

Jenny’s Light Charity Fun Run: Stroller Hikes provided a Mothering Tent – a respite for nursing, diaper changing, and

rest – and a pine cone bird feeder craft station.

Stroller Hikes Volunteer Appreciation Potluck

Stroller Hikes Backpacking Bambinos Informational Night for

Backpacking Families, including a pasta dinner.

Earth Day Festival at Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale. Stroller Hikes

provided a Mothering Tent for the third year in a row and an adjacent

Sensory Challenge with produce tasting, nature sound identification,

and smell cup/touch bag challenges.

Three Kaiser Parenting Classes with Amy as a guest speaker presenting about Stroller Hikes.

Great Strides Walkathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Stroller Hikes provided a Mothering Tent and a pine cone

bird feeder craft station.

SRI Volunteer Fair (informational booth)

Festival in the Park with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation (Hellyer Park)

Birth and Family Fair (annual Blossom Family Picnic) with Blossom Birth, Hand In Hand Parenting, and BABI: Stroller

Hikes provided a free obstacle course that was well utilized by all ages.

Day on the Bay with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation (Alviso Marina): Stroller Hikes offered information and

free tattoos.

6th Annual Stroller Hikes Family Camping Trip for 25 families (87 Stroller Hikers) over a three-day weekend at the

Bravo Ranch, a private ranch in Soquel. Events included berry picking, tractor rides, playing by the creek, a scavenger

hunt, making wind chimes and family crests, campfire games and marshmallows, and other crafts. This event raised

$900 in donations for Stroller Hikes.

Fantasy of Lights with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation (Vasona Park):

Stroller Hikes was one of less than a dozen invited participants in Fantasy of Light’s

first annual Giant Greeting Card competition. Several Stroller Hikes families came

together to design and decorate a huge plywood card celebrating the seasons,

fitness, and nature. The Stroller Hikes card was on display in the two-month-long

Fantasy of Lights in Vasona Park, a hugely popular after-dark spectacle. Rebecca,

Amy, and Liza are largely credited with facilitating this project.

3rd Annual Stroller Hikes Holiday Crafting Party brought together three generations of crafters to generate dry food

mixes to be given as gifts. Sports Basement hosted this free event, with added perks of providing snacks,

encouraging use of a 10% discount (ongoing for Stroller Hikes since 2008). This event drew over 80 people and

$193.54 in excess of supply costs was raised. Participants left with beautifully packaged cocoa, cookie, and pancake

mixes.

Dozens of Hours for Healthy Trails

Stroller Hikes has partnered with Santa Clara County’s Healthy Trails program,

providing leadership and prizes for people using county trails for fitness. Stroller

Hikes has offered Stroller Jogs, Stroller Hikes, Toddler Treks, Moonlit Hikes, and

Backpacking Bambinos events at Santa Clara County Parks. This year 23 of these

qualified as Healthy Trails events. For more information about the Healthy Trails

program, see www.parkhere.org.

Breaking Down Camping Intimidation

Stroller Hikes has helped families get outside for years, and has removed some of the intimidations about outdoor

fitness with kids. Where’s the best route? Do I have all the gear I need? How do I handle nursing, changing diapers, sun

exposure, snacks, and dirt on the trail? With many of our longtime Stroller Hikers comfortable with day trips, the next

challenge is overnight events.

2012 saw a huge expansion in Stroller Hikes overnight trips. An early spring Backpacking Bambinos Informational Night

was very well attended. Parents and kids planning on coming out for a Stroller Hikes car camping or backpacking event

exchanged ideas about ultralight camping and hiking, saw gear and an ideal young child’s pack, and enjoyed dinner

together. Stroller Hikes’ overnight events filled to maximum capacity. Families paid

only for reservation fees required by the agency providing the reservation space; as

with other Stroller Hikes events, with the exception of our regular fundraiser trip at

Bravo Ranch, the aim was not to add any fees to the trips beyond standard parking,

reservation, or permit fees, so as not to restrict any families from attending.

Car camping trips were two nights long at:

Yosemite Valley

Gold Country

Our regular fundraiser at Bravo Ranch in Soquel

Mount Madonna (in yurts and tents)

Backpacking camping trips were one night long at:

Point Reyes – photo in the reeds, at right

Sunol

Black Mountain (Palo Alto) – group at right

Marin Headlands

Gear On the Go Gear On the Go is Stroller Hikes’ gear lending library, featuring tons of soft carriers, baby backpacks, and strollers, and most gear is stored at City of Cupertino’s Blackberry Farm. Gear On the Go is available for families to borrow gear for Stroller Hikes events, travel, or for visiting guests. It is accessible 6 days/week during business hours, and requests for borrowing are made at least 48 hours in advance. In 2012, Gear On The Go gear was used 28 times.

Partnering Up and Getting the Word Out

Stroller Hikes continues to publish events online and in print media through Bay Area Parent / Parenting.com, Bay Area

Ridge Trail Council, Palo Alto Menlo Park Mother’s Group, Town of Los Altos Hills, Chatterblock, and Santa Clara County.

Stroller Hikes is marketed at Harmony, Blossom Birth, Kaiser, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Clinic in Mountain View, REI,

Sports Basement, The Duck Pond, Day One, Baby Boot Camp, and by private practitioners including Kim Gustavson.

New and maintained partnerships include:

Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

Bay Nature

Blossom Birth

Children in Nature Collaborative

Children, Nature, and You

Baby Boot Camp

NorCal Bike/ BikeForums.net

Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation

TRI-California

Roonga

McClellan Ranch / Blackberry Farm

City of Cupertino

Pirate’s Brands

Sports Basement

Kaiser Permanente Parenting Classes

Full Circle Farms

In-Kind Donors include:

Pirate’s Brands

Sports Basement

Jankowski Family (ERGO Baby Carrier)

Letona Family (Crafts for Annual Camping Trip)

Kahn Family (Double Stroller for Gear on the Go)

Pooya Hajjarian (Plastic Microscope)

Taking Advantage of Social Input

Stroller Hikes’ first Social Media Manager was

recruited in 2012. This new staff member, Debbie

Erickson, increased Facebook use and launched a

Twitter feed for Stroller Hikes. A poll issued early in

the year provided useful feedback about events and

clearly indicated that Stroller Hikes was reaching its

goals and the public looked forward to more Stroller

Hikes events, newsletters, and further information at

StrollerHikes.com. Three videos posted on You Tube,

including two created by toddlers attending Toddler

Treks in 2011, and a final animated advertisement

for Stroller Hikes made by 2012 interns, have

increased Stroller Hikes’ accessibility to the modern technophile.

Interns Instrumental in WordPress Transition

Stroller Hikes offered its 4th annual summer intern program, offering a ten-week internship to four high school students

from Monta Vista High School in Cupertino. Amity and Debbie F. – technical leadership at Stroller Hikes – advised the

students, providing instruction and guidance on use of MyBalsamiq, CSS, HTML, PHP, MySQL, and Javascript, as well as

remote servers, mass file transfer, and application of WordPress. At the end of the summer internship, the four

students had designed, researched, developed, and tested several aspects of an updated WordPress version of

StrollerHikes.com. It is slated to go live in January 2013. Interns also helped to refine pre-K curriculum, create content

for newsletters, and create graphic art to promote aspects of Stroller Hikes.

Helen Han, an intern in 2011, also contributed in early 2012 towards modification of the 2011 Find a Hike Web

Application for use on an Android.

Financial Overview

Stroller Hikes relies heavily on volunteer support, and received dramatically more hours of volunteer support in 2012

than in prior years. 100% of the Stroller Hikes board volunteers and/or provides financial support to Stroller Hikes, a

testament to the dedication of Stroller Hikes leadership. Total revenue, below, includes the volunteer support,

calculated with minimum wage to determine financial revenue equivalence. Financial revenue without volunteer

support is also shown. Expenses show that a vast majority of spending goes towards educational programs and events,

and maintenance of Stroller Hikes’ educational website.

Total Revenue Value ($)

Volunteer Support - 86.04% (based on $8/hr wage) 28016.00

Community Support (Independent Donations) - 6.62% 2154.28

In-Kind Donations- 4.22% 1375.00

Reservation Fees for Camping - 2.80% 913.19

Google AdSense - 0.31% 102.51

Dividends - < .10% 0.68

TOTAL 32561.66

Stroller Hikes thanks all donors and volunteers in 2012. Stroller Hikes’ success as an organization relies on volunteer

support through in-kind work and financial and product donations. Thanks for making 2012 a great success!

Volunteer of the Year: Andrea Schpok and Melanie Coffman (145 hours of service combined)

Both of this year’s featured volunteers began working for Stroller Hikes well before 2012. Their impact to Stroller Hikes

is particularly notable, because both have enabled Stroller Hikes to expand its geographic impact far to the southeast

and southwest of Silicon Valley, where most hikes occur. Their ongoing contributions while other event leaders or

events are far from them, are testament to their dedication to their local communities of young families, as well as to

Stroller Hikes.

Andrea Schpok began leading Stroller Hikes events almost as quickly as she had begun

to attend them, as she saw a need to have social hiking opportunities for growing

families in the southeastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Andrea religiously led

two kinds of hikes: (1) Rugged Family Hikes in the hills of Milpitas, and, when her son

began walking, (2) Toddler Treks around Sandy Wool Lake, both in Ed Levin Park in

Milpitas. Andrea’s generous, positive spirit attracted some devout fellow-hikers, so

even when she went on maternity leave this year, it was not hard to keep her Toddler Treks going. Who wouldn’t love

hiking around a lake populated by ducks, coots, herons, swans, and other birds, ending at an expansive playground, with

Financial Revenue Value ($)

Community Support (Independent Donations) - 67.94% 2154.28

Reservation Fees for Camping - 28.80% 913.19

Google AdSense - 3.23% 102.51

Dividends - < .10% 0.68

TOTAL 3170.66

Expenses Value($)

Educational Program/Event Expenses - 60.61% 2021.92

Marketing - 27.51% 917.57

Website Maintenance & Development - 10.58% 352.82

License, Tax, Government, & Financial Fees - 1.30% 43.50

TOTAL 3335.81

the added perk of watching the seasons change in a wide open county park in the foothills of Milpitas? Thanks for

bringing more of the Southeast Bay hikers into the Stroller Hikes family, Andrea!

Melanie Coffman began hiking with Stroller Hikes when her

family still lived near the epicenter of Stroller Hikes events, in

Silicon Valley. Moving to Santa Cruz inspired Melanie to begin

a series of weekly events celebrating Santa Cruz’s natural

beauty, including lovely weather during times of the year when

the Silicon Valley experiences fog, rain, or extreme cold. What

a wonderful contribution – to inspire families to enjoy the

beach and take a little vacation from the ordinary, to see sea

lions, seals, dolphins, whales, and birds, or visit the touch tank

or other exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Thanks for enriching Stroller Hikes events with sun, surf, and

sand, Melanie!

Donor of the Year: Cori Wilser and Family

Cori Wilser and her family are honored this year for their generous

financial contribution to Stroller Hikes as well as dedication to Stroller

Hikes as a volunteer and participant. Cori has been a very regular

attendee of the Backpacking Bambinos series, through which young

Sierra and now little Jake have learned perseverance in hiking, as well as

technique for ascents, descents, and trail navigation. Cori displays

tremendous patience with her kids, which certainly contributes to her

ability to be patient on her own, as a technical development volunteer

for Stroller Hikes. Cori has learned new technology skills and made

tremendous impact by quality assuring existing technical work, as well

as suggesting improvements. Improvements include using new

technology such as Scribble Maps in our conversion of Stroller Hikes’

PHP-based website to a WordPress site that stores and uses much more

data and infrastructure. Thanks for all of your hard work and your support of Stroller Hikes, Cori!

Intern of the Year: Elia Chen (300 hours service)

If you have lost faith in public education, you should meet Elia Chen, one of Stroller Hikes’

four interns for the summer of 2012. Elia is a sophomore at Monta Vista High School in

Cupertino, and amidst a busy summer of science classes, Elia volunteered as a technical

intern for Stroller Hikes. She learned new technology, including MyBalsamiq, CSS, HTML,

PHP, and Javascript, as well as video editing software and WordPress tools, to help to

migrate, edit, and create content for StrollerHikes.com’s new WordPress site. Elia also

showed her talent for graphic arts and writing, by contributing drawings to the new site as

well as articles and photos for four editions of Stroller Hikes’ weekly newsletter, after

coming out to several of Stroller Hikes’ events to get to know families, trails, and the Stroller Hikes philosophy first-hand,

a practice that continued well after her summer internship ended. She continues to volunteer time amidst a busy school

life, to learn new technology, create content for StrollerHikes.com, and write for the newsletter. Thanks Elia! We hope

you gained as much from your ongoing internship as we have from your wonderful contributions.