Progress Peak- Adventure with pride
Our Mission
Progress Peak Adventures empowers marginalized youth through healing-centered outdoor experiences, creative expression, and community connection. We create safe, affirming spaces where LGBTQIA+ youth, BIPOC youth, youth with disabilities, and young people navigating systemic barriers can build resilience, celebrate identity, and thrive.
We envision a world where all young people, regardless of identity or circumstance, have access to joy, safety, and belonging. Progress Peak Adventures strives to create a lasting sanctuary where youth can explore nature, express themselves freely, and grow into confident, connected leaders rooted in resilience and community care.
Our Vision
About Our Founder
Carson (he/him) founded Progress Peak Adventures in 2025. In his day job, Carson is a Mental Health Clinician and is currently pursuing a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Credential. He graduated with his M.S. in Community and Trauma Counseling, Childhood Trauma, and Play Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 2021. Carson, who is a queer and transgender man, had always felt uncomfortable and uninvited in activities that tested his physical and/or mental abilities. After a summer away at camp in Rhinebeck, New York, Carson found himself in his element at camp. Because of his experience, he became passionate about combining recreation with physical and mental wellness.
Carson Eckard, M.S., LAC, NCC (he/him)
Director of Safety & Security
Rob (any/all) Co-founded Progress Peak Adventures in 2025. In his day job, Rob is a Service Technician and is currently operating several small business ventures. Rob went through a tech school program while in high school for Public Safety, earning several certifications in fire fighting, emergency medical, and law enforcement sectors. Rob put these skills to use as a volunteer firefighter for many years while attending university, where he ultimately graduated with his B.A. in Administration of Justice from Penn State University in 2011. Rob, who is queer and non-binary, has felt uncomfortable with the lack of representation of queer people in these sectors of society. Now more than ever, given the Geopolitical situation, he feels it is important to spread this knowledge to others to create the safe spaces we all deserve.
Robert Kohler (any/all)
About Our Funding
Funds we are currently raising are set to go towards legal support, public relations development, outreach materials, staff identification, general maintenance fees, and a scholarship fund to provide folks who cannot afford programming with an opportunity to participate. We are looking for donations from folks like you to help make these programs available as soon as possible.
Ways to Give
Purchasing Merch
If you would like to donate by purchasing merch drops, head to our store here.
Donating Cash
To donate cash without the desire to buy any merchandise, please email us.
Donating Items
To donate your previously loved and used items, please email us to coordinate pick-ups.
Volunteering
We will soon need additional volunteer facilitators to supervise our participants during events. If you are interested, reach out to us on any social media or by email.
