Meet the Sequim Chamber: Promoting Outdoor Wonders, Businesses, and Community Spirit

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In this episode, we chat with Beth Pratt, the executive director of the Sequim Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center. Nestled in the stunning upper left corner of Washington state, Sequim is a community that boasts an incredible mix of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and vibrant local culture.

Beth takes us on a journey through this unique region, where the Olympic Mountains meet the coast and the famed Dungeness crab thrives. She shares insights into Sequim’s remarkable "blue hole" climate, its renowned festivals, and how the area's blend of arid plains, rainforests, and mountain ranges makes it a hub for outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to birding and kayaking.

We also explore the Chamber of Commerce's behind-the-scenes work supporting small businesses, cultivating community connections, and advocating for sustainable tourism.

DISCUSSION

00:00 Olympic Peninsula's Varied Climates

05:03 Dungeness Crab and Lobster Adventures

08:23 "Chamber of Commerce's Key Role"

12:40 Lavender Festival Threatened by Compliance Issue

17:51 Engage Chamber Before Developing Land

23:17 Visit Information for Coastal Parks

26:25 Squim Wheelers' Adaptive Bicycle Program

33:22 Diverse Board Leadership Overview

37:02 Interconnected Community Collaborations

40:17 Honoring Essential Workers and Donors

43:22 Tribal Sovereignty and Local Partnerships

46:24 Influencing Outdated Regulations Quickly

48:41 Neutral Stance on Political Endorsements

53:40 Discovering Dungeness Valley Paradise

54:16 Chamber Influence: Business & Community

CONNECT WITH THE SEQUIM CHAMBER

Learn more about Sequim, WA, by visiting the Sequim Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center Website at https://www.sequimchamber.com/, and follow them on their social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sequimchamber/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sequim_chamber/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Sequim Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sequim WA, Olympic National Park, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast

#SequimChamber #SequimWA #OlympicNationalPark #OutdoorAdventures #Podcast

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Disability Advocacy, Outdoor Access, and Inclusion in Your Community.

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series. In today's episode, we sit down with Jenna Udenberg, an inspiring disability advocate, accessibility educator, and author of the book Within My Spokes.

Growing up in the rugged beauty of northern Minnesota, Jenna’s journey has been shaped by her early diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a lifetime of navigating—and working to improve—accessibility in her community.

Jenna shares how her love of the outdoors, music, and resilient spirit led her from being a band director to founding her nonprofit, Above and Beyond with You. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs she faced as a wheelchair user in a rural setting, the evolution of accessibility in her hometown of Two Harbors, and her drive to ensure everyone can enjoy nature’s wonders.

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Introductions"

03:22 Overcoming Trauma Through Music

09:25 "Supportive Band Teachers' Impact"

10:02 Adaptation Challenges in Education

14:12 Improving Accessibility Conversations

17:28 Adaptive Outdoor Exploration

22:15 Community Connection Through Stories

24:13 "True Accessibility Needs Better Communication"

27:55 Embracing the Book Writing Journey

33:04 Enhancing Accessibility in Storytelling

37:21 "Embrace Curiosity and Overcome Labels"

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Jenna and her work, visit her website at https://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/ and follow her on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091881005060

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboveandbeyondwithu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/above-beyond-with-u/

Click here to pick up a copy of Jenna's book, " Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom.

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to outdoor adventure, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes, comments, and shares.

KEYWORDS

Jenna Udenberg, Accessibility, Disability, Diversity & Inclusion, Author, Two Harbors, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast, PodMatch

#JennaUdenberg #OutdoorAccessibility #Disability #DiversityAndInclusion #Author #TwoHarborsMN #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodMatch

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Discover Kamiah: Tourism, Community Events, and Outdoor Fun

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series. In today’s episode, we sit down with Janet Brennan, the Kamiah Chamber of Commerce vice president in northern Idaho. Janet shares the rich history of Kamiah—a community that reinvented itself from its logging roots to a vibrant outdoor recreation and tourism destination.

DISCUSSION

1. Kamiah, Idaho: Location and Overview

2. History and Evolution of Kamiah

3. The Kamiah Chamber of Commerce

4. Janet’s Role as Vice President

5. Kamiah Chamber Infrastructure and Operations

6. Transition to a Tourism-Based Economy

7. Life as a New Resident in Kamiah

8. Outdoor Recreation and Personal Passions

9 Community Challenges and Collaborative Solutions

10 Signature Events and Activities in Kamiah

• Annual Free Barbecue Days
• Fourth of July parade
• Christmas celebrations
• St. Patrick’s Day
• Contributions from local businesses, e.g., Kami Steakhouse and Grill’s year-round events

11. Arts, Culture, and Local Businesses

• Coffee shops and gathering spaces (The Loft)
• Community pride in local food and beverage offerings
• Notable businesses: Hearthstone Elegant Lodge, Pizza Factory, K Hotel and Bar, Sassy Spodge
• Exploring Kamiah: Digital Tour of the Chamber Website

12. Native American Heritage and The Nez Perce

• Historical context of the Nez Perce Reservation and its continuing cultural presence
• Lewis and Clark connection
• Annual powwow and Itsye Casino as cultural highlights

CONNECT WITH THE KAMIAH BAY CHAMBER

To Learn more about Kamiah, Idaho, visit the Kamiah Chamber of Commerce website at https://www.kamiahchamber.com/, and follow them on their social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KamiahChamber/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Kamiah ID, Kamiah Chamber of Commerce, Visit North Central Idaho, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast

#KamiahID #KamiahChamberofCommerce #VisitNorthCentralIdaho #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch