Michael Davis guiding for KAF Adventures on Mt. Hood, Oregon

Hello BOLD & GOLD community!  

Across the country, Trip Leaders have completed Wilderness First Responder courses and BOLD & GOLD training and are heading out on the trail with groups of young people. Their training, focused on Positive Youth Development, facilitation, and backcountry skills, prepares seasonal staff from a variety of backgrounds (off-duty school teachers, backpacking enthusiasts, program alumni, finance professionals), to support teens as they learn, grow, build friendships, and spend time outside.

This month, we're thrilled to highlight one of our exceptional National team members, Michael Davis. Michael has been an integral part of our BOLD & GOLD programs since 2016 when he started as a Trip Leader, bringing passion, dedication, and a love for the outdoors to everything he does and every person he meets. 

Michael Davis (center, red jacket) with a BOLD & GOLD LIT group sitting in a circle in Vesper Basin, WA summer 2017

Michael's journey to BOLD & GOLD is truly inspiring. After graduating from Ursinus College with a finance degree, he first pursued an investment banking career. However, he soon realized that his true calling lay in the outdoors. He took a great leap across the country from Philidelphia, to Seattle, in 2016 to pursue a guiding career. How lucky we are that Michael chose a Wilderness First Responder Course hosted by the Y of Greater Seattle’s BOLD & GOLD program, where he first learned of the program. Michael began as a trip leader for BOLD & GOLD that summer and has stayed with the program ever since.

He now works on the National Expansion Team as our Operations Manager, supporting onboarding new Y’s to BOLD & GOLD, building partnerships, creating and adopting new systems, running trainings across the country, and delighting our community with his knowledge and passion!  

In addition to his work at BOLD & GOLD, Michael is a member of several steering committees, including the Y's Emerging Multicultural Leadership Conference and The Wilderness Risk Management Conference (in partnership with NOLS, Outward Bound, and the Student Conservation Association). His commitment to leadership development and outdoor education has earned him recognition, including being selected for the YUSA 30 under 30 list in 2022. 



Michael's passion for youth empowerment and outdoor education has taken him around the world. He was selected to serve as an AmeriCorps member for BOLD & GOLD Seattle in 2018 and has spoken on panels at global conferences, including the YMCA Conference on Global Youth-Led Solutions. 

Recently, Michael had the honor of being featured on the Sincerely Yours Outdoors podcast, where he shared insights into his journey, his role at BOLD & GOLD, and his passion for outdoor education. During the podcast, Michael discussed the importance of connecting with nature, overcoming challenges in the outdoors, and the impact of outdoor education on personal growth and development. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the impactful work we do here at BOLD & GOLD and to spread our message to a broader audience. Check it out in the "What We're Reading and Listening to" section.

This week, Michael is part of a guide team leading the "Hooyman Climb" up Tahoma (Mount Rainier) for seven people who supported raising twenty-eight thousand dollars in funding for BOLD & GOLD participant scholarships. The annual climb is a collaboration between BOLD & GOLD Seattle, KAF Adventures, and the Chris Hooyman Outdoor Education Fund.

In a zombie apocalypse, what’s your theme song?  

MF Doom's "That's That". The beat is super cool and I like the title in it's simplicity of, well if it's a zombie apocalypse then that's that. Plus, MF Doom wears a mask and I feel like that would scare some of the zombies.

Have you ever seen a shooting star? Was there a favorite time? Why?  

My favorite shooting star moment was an overnight rafting trip on the Deschutes River. Everyone had separated to go to bed and I was sitting out in front of my tent because the stars were just that glorious that evening, and a shooting star streaked across the sky like a skipping stone on water. It was beautiful.

What's your favorite kind of weather?  

My favorite kind of weather is a gentle rain with a warm breeze. It creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for staying indoors with a cup of hot lemon water and a good conversation. 

Do you have a favorite tradition from your family/culture?  

I always look forward to our family game nights. It's just nice to unplug, laugh, and bond over some friendly competition. We play a lot of dominoes and card games.

What's your secret talent? 

I think I'm above average whistler. Most songs if I know them, I could whistle and someone could guess.

What's a value that's important to you? 

For me, integrity is pretty important. Doing the right thing when no one's watching and staying true to yourself – it's a simple principle, but it goes a long way. 

What do you love to learn about? What makes learning fun for you? 

I'm a curious guy, so I love learning about anything and everything. Whether it's diving into a new hobby or exploring different cultures, there's always something fascinating to discover. 

What are you most proud of about yourself?  

I'm most proud of my ability to adapt to new challenges and persevere through adversity. It's a skill that has helped me grow personally and professionally. 

Michael preparing for a climb with youth at the base of Del Campo Peak, WA

Summer is always a time of nostalgia and yet excitement for what’s next for me. It’s a combination of frenzy and finally being in the moment of all the things we planned for. Sometimes it’s a love/hate thing because there is nothing better than being a part of running summer programming where small groups are in the outdoors together. And there is nothing that keeps you up at night like running summer programming where small groups are in the outdoors together. The thing that makes summer really feel like it has started is reconnecting with staff – hearing about what they have been up to, feeling their enthusiasm for BOLD & GOLD, laughing at the things that kept us up worrying previous summers…. I truly believe the people that choose to spend a summer working with young people outdoors are some of the most inspiring, generous, interesting, fun, creative and amazing people I have ever met. They are a huge part of what keeps me motivated, committed, and encouraged. May your summer be filled with people that inspire you!