It is not often that a person gets a chance to go back in time. The development of this partner page has allowed me to reflect on my childhood and what is important to me.
My parents are my heroes, and I love them more than I can express in this letter. At the age of 29, I moved to Boston, MA. During that first holiday season for the first time in my life, I realized that some of my colleagues didn’t want to go home to see their parents. I was shocked that they looked disappointed at their childhood and parents.
My Mom was the best Mom, a great cook, supporter, advocate for me in everything. I cannot imagine life without her. Her love was so unconditional.
My Dad taught me to be a man. Telling me that once you lost your integrity, you could never get it back. He also instilled in me the joy of the outdoors and sleeping under the stars. My most fond memories were the shopping trips to Sears to get all of our gear for our camping trips. Not only did he teach me how to do everything, but he taught my best friends too. Their parents didn’t enjoy camping.
In my early thirties, I took all my nephews camping to the exact spot my Dad took my friends and me. It was a magical trip! It would be another 25 years before I went back again with my 8-year-old son. That trip was the best of my life, emulating what my Dad taught me and passing it down.
My wife Sarah and I purchased a Sprinter van in 2014. Our family had grown to 6 by then. Each summer, we traveled to many extraordinary national park locations in that van. These memories are some of the best things I ever think about. During these trips, my wife and I discussed the possibility of giving back to the parks. She did a bunch of research and found out that it was possible, and that is how we decided to become a National Park Foundation partner.
I am confident that whether you go camping or just a day trip, the memories you will make with your family are priceless. Just do it!
Rob Gardner. Founder & CEO
