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Appalachian State University's Outdoor Programs wants your help to identify the High Country's young mountain sports stars and role models to be recognized through the first annual A4 initiative.

As part of their honorary selection, A4 winners will receive recognition on stage at the Banff Mountain Festivals and a generous selection of prizes from project sponsors

The winners for the 2011 A4 award are Adam Dehus and Will Washam. The finalists were Tommy Pennick, George Koribanic, Monty Dunlap, and Jimmy McAlister.

Nominations for the 2012 Appalachian Adventure Achievement Award will open in Spring 2012.  The winners will be announced at the 2012 screenings of the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Boone, NC. 

Why A4?

The A4 initiative to get youth outdoors is important from health and wellness, economic, and environmental perspectives. The trend toward a growing separation from nature is not only unhealthy from a physical standpoint-- it's also unhealthy from a mental and spiritual outlook. If our future decision makers have no physical connection to our natural resources they will be unprepared to make wise policy and budget decisions about them. Through the A4, our goal is to positively inspire more youth to adopt a healthy, supportive and active outdoor lifestyle, for their current and future well-being. We also want to acknowledge young people and their passion and pursuits so that our community can celebrate them while inspiring others to join them in living active, healthy, and adventurous lives.

You may find more details and nominate someone on our A4 nominations page.

Want to be an A4 Sponsor? Contact Rich Campbell at campbllrh@appstate.edu