If I asked you if your employer would make it onto a list of the best places to work, would you say yes? If I asked you to describe what makes it so great what would you say? “We get 10% off all merchandise, staff happiness days and 2 weeks paid vacation!”  Now I am not trying to brag or boast (well maybe a little bit), but I DO work for a company that would make it onto that list.  Wilderness Adventure was chosen this year for Outside Magazine’s Top 50 Places to Work, which is a nationwide competition.
When I first saw the contest for the best places to work for 2010, I knew I had to nominate Wilderness Adventure.  In the last 3 years I have been lucky enough to be a year round member of this organization.  I have worked my way up from a group leader, to a director.  In that time I have been able to accomplish many dreams, and do things that I never thought I would be able to do.  As I started the application process all kinds of memories flashed through my mind.  Things I had done and things I wanted to let Outside Magazine know about this place, and why I love it so much.  I thought to all the mountain bike rides, staff happiness days doing the broathalon or at the safari park.  So, I wrote a list and prepared my thoughts. I selected the proper check boxes and finished the online application.  To my surprise there was no section for me to complete personally. When I selected submit I got another message that said the staff would be notified with an email and a pass code to access the online survey. What? Everyone had to take a survey? Well this was not part of the plan at all! Not that I thought that they would not give this place the highest marks they could. But this place had given me so much, would they look at Wilderness as just another job?

Flash forward…after 4 tense weeks of waiting and corresponding with the Outside Magazine rep Megan.  I stopped at my Mailbox like everyday to pick up my “Bills”.   Inside the box was the usual, Bills, more bills, and then letters telling me how if I sign up for the Visa/amex mega gold platinum super card , the world would be mine with just a swipe. Under all that in an unassuming white envelope was a letter from outside Magazine and the Best Company’s Group. I rip the letter open and wow…….we made it!  We’re above well known companies like NOLS, Patagonia, KEEN, Timberland and about 21 others.  Now I know how the rest of the Wilderness Adventure staff feels about where they work. Thinking back there should not have been any doubt in my mind. This place we call work and home does way more than offer me a place to go get a paycheck.  It offers me a place to be me, and a place to hang out with all of my friends who just so happen to work for the same great place I do!  It’s more than just a job, it is a decision I, and many others like me made a long time ago. We would not settle for less.  I am proud to be a director, employee, friend, alumni and whatever else you want to call me, for Wilderness Adventure.  It looks like the rest of the employees feel the same way.

My name is Dan, I work for Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, and I work for one of the best places in the world.

Check out some of the local coverage we have had about this by going to the Roanoke Outside Website, or click here to become our fan on facebook.