Fall Newsletter 2025
Dear Friends,
As we enter this season of gratitude, I’m reminded daily here at the Coombs Clubhouse of just how much we have to be thankful for.
November is one of the busiest, and most joyful, times of year at Coombs Outdoors. With winter applications processed, the Clubhouse is quite literally buzzing with families stopping by to receive their program placements, pick up gear, and take their season pass photos - an annual tradition we’ve all come to cherish. I love this time of year because we get to see so many Coombs kids and families, and their excitement and gratitude are truly palpable.
Preparing for winter programs puts every corner of the Clubhouse to good use. Parents sign waivers in the front office, elementary students emerge from the gear rooms suited up in ski gear and goggles, staff fit boots and skis in the garage, volunteers gather in the conference room for trainings, and high school participants practice interviewing skills for their upcoming internships.
It’s not lost on me how special our new home is - and how meaningful it is to have a safe, welcoming space where Coombs kids and families can gather, learn, play, and build community. This season, more than ever, I feel the impact of what our permanent home has made possible for our programs, our operations, and most importantly, our relationships.
To all who believe in and support this work, and to those who have helped make our Clubhouse Campaign a success - thank you. Your generosity continues to shape lives and strengthen our community. I hope you’ll read on for more about our fall and winter programs and an for update on the Clubhouse Campaign’s progress.
Wishing you a warm and wonderful season of thanks,
Jenny Wolfrom Holladay
P.S. We are making significant progress on our capital campaign that will ensure our new building can be our forever home. If you are interested in a tour or pledging your support to the Coombs Clubhouse Campaign, please reach out to me at jenny@coombsoutdoors.org or stop by 85 W. Snow King Ave.
Fall Numbers
62 total participants in fall afterschool programs
24 elementary school kids in Activate afterschool programs
12 kids in swimming lessons
26 middle and high schoolers in Engage afterschool workshops
3 high school interns working as afterschool instructors
100+ kids and parents celebrating Dia de los Muertos at the Clubhouse
Afterschool Program Expansion
Research shows that consistent, quality afterschool programs improve social, emotional, physical, and academic development in youth and provide a safe, supportive environment. However, access to these programs is not equitable, especially in Jackson Hole where programs are expensive, enrollment space is limited, and application processes can be confusing for parents. According to Afterschool Alliance surveys, 20% of kids in the U.S. are left alone after school and three in four Wyoming parents who want afterschool programs for their children are unable to enroll them because programs are too expensive, unavailable, or inaccessible.
Our suite of afterschool programs provide a place for 200+ participants of all ages annually to have fun with their peers, connect with staff and volunteer mentors, receive engaging childcare, stay active and get outdoors, disconnect from electronics, and destress. These are our most often requested programs by families, so we are proud to have grown their capacity significantly every year.
We launched afterschool programs in 2020 for 26 K-5 kids, and we have since more than doubled that program and added swimming lessons. Families also expressed a need for more support for older participants, so we have focused on expanding fall and winter afterschool workshops for middle and high schoolers in addition to growing opportunities for elementary school kids. Last fall we took a season off from programs in order to move into our new building, and only offered afterschool programs in the winter. This year afterschool will run both seasons, leveraging the Coombs Clubhouse to hold simultaneous groups 3 days a week.
This fall we are running fall programs for 62 participants, including 36 elementary (12 swim lessons and 24 in afterschool) and 26 middle and high school. We also have 3 high school interns working as instructors, building leadership skills with younger participants. Activities include biking, rock climbing, cooking, arts and crafts, and outdoor or cultural film screenings.
Growing Demand
Although we have expanded afterschool programs, we have more participants on the waitlist than ever before. This includes 25 kids that we could not accommodate in swimming lessons, 17 for K-5 afterschool, and 14 for middle/high school afterschool. In addition to surveys and conversations with families and participants, these growing waitlist numbers show that this program is becoming our community’s highest need. We are actively seeking funds to help more kids benefit from these opportunities for engagement and mentorship.
We’re so grateful for our Old Bill’s supporters!
Every gift helps create opportunities for local youth to build confidence and connection. Consider an end of year gift today!
