My family has been intimately involved with Tahoe Expedition Academy from when it was just a developing idea through today. Over those 9 years, my wife Lesley and our two boys, Ty (8th) and Rowen (6th), have each evolved in truly positive ways because of the dynamic range of experiences that TEA provides, framed by the school’s founding pillars of Academics, Character and Adventure.

In the spirit of celebrating TEA’s Adventure pillar, I am attempting a solo paddle-board journey of 22 miles across Lake Tahoe. In addition to the physical challenge, this will be a spiritual paddle for me, connecting with the water, sky, weather and myself on a day when the conditions are right this October.

I am tangibly linking this journey to my belief in TEA’s education style by creating my own “Paddle-a-thon”. And I am reaching out to you to ask for your pledge in support of this Adventure and thus in support of TEA, …like the financial pledges many of us have made to friends doing bike rides or marathons to raise money for nonprofits that they are passionate about.

I have seen the power of TEA’s educational adventures, from urban to mountain and desert-based, play out in enriching and transformative ways for pre-k students through 12th graders. This lake crossing is my way of illuminating and supporting that critical TEA Adventure pillar.

Please join me by making a pledge of any dollar amount through the form below. I have no specific fundraising goal to reach, but the sky is the limit. If I am successful in crossing the lake this October, every dollar pledged will go directly to TEA so they can continue to offer educational adventures for children in our community. 

Thank you and wish me luck!

– Rick Chapman