Why

Verdun Adventure Bound (“Verdun”) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Dr. David Snyder. Over the past 25 years Verdun has provided customized experiential learning programs designed to meet the needs of clients and the surrounding community. Programs offered engage youth and adults with opportunities to learn new skills, collaborate, overcome adversity, and to be empowered as individuals and as groups. Verdun provides a space for individuals to get outdoors and disconnect from technology and connect with each other. With Verdun’s popularity and programmatic successes, they sought to conduct market research to aid them in programmatic expansion decision-making.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights was retained in 2024 to research and analyze data around outdoor recreation programming in Verdun’s market. This research was intended to help Verdun’s three-year strategic planning process and provide context for potential program expansions. Specifically, Zec Eight Insights conducted a customized service radius recreation trends analysis, national trends analysis, similar provider and direct competitor environmental scan, and reviewed and analyzed available participation and financial data.

What

The final technical report provides 15 recommendations including, but not limited to, focusing on gateway recreation activities, diversifying revenue sources to reduce the reliance on grant funding, exploring the addition of equestrian and therapeutic recreation core program areas, expanding camping opportunities, and establishing a depreciation schedule and asset/facility replacement cycle.

Reference
Sean McElhinney, Executive Director
Verdun Adventure Bound
(540) 937-4920
sean@verdunadventurebound.org
17044 Adventure Bound Trail
Rixeyville, VA 22737