Support Ely Adventure School: Sunshine's Canoe Marathon

Be part of our exciting community fundraiser as Ben Gardner, known to many as Sunshine, takes on the Portage Marathon—a grueling 26.2-mile race where participants carry a canoe the entire distance! This year, we’re aiming to raise $10,000 to support Ely Adventure School. This money will allow us to keep our programs affordable while maintaining the high level of quality we hold ourselves to. With your donation, we will upkeep our excellent facilities, pay our amazing staff a living wage, and purchase child-centered learning materials. Your donation will play a crucial role in helping us provide affordable, high-quality childcare. Consider donating $26.20, $262, or even $686.44—that's 26.2 squared—to make a significant impact. Click “Donate Now” to support the Ely Adventure School and make every mile of Ben’s marathon count toward a brighter future for children in Ely! Don't forget to share with your network to advance the cause as far as it can go!

About Ely Adventure School: At Ely Adventure School, we focus on creating a safe and nurturing outdoor environment where children feel comfortable exploring and learning. We emphasize developing social skills, self-reflection, community-mindedness, and creative, self-directed play—all while ensuring that every day is filled with fun and adventure. With essential licensure, a commercial building, and strong community support, the school is thriving. As we approach our first anniversary as a licensed childcare center, we proudly reflect on how our nature-based preschool has positively impacted hundreds of local children, providing them with the opportunity to learn and grow in the beautiful north woods.

Check out the Ely Adventure School website for more information and photos.

Continued fundraising is crucial for Ely Adventure School’s success. Over the years, we've hosted various events, received support from local businesses, and applied for numerous grants. It is an ongoing effort to keep quality childcare affordable and accessible, and this year, you can help by sponsoring Sunshine’s marathon!

About the Ely Marathon: The Ely Marathon, set in late September beneath beautiful fall colors, introduced the Portage Marathon in 2018 where participants carry a canoe throughout the entire 26.2-mile course. Sunshine/Ben started running the event six years ago, and he’s never run the marathon, or any other marathon for that matter, without a canoe!

Help us make every mile count by contributing to our fundraiser. Click “Donate Now” to join us in supporting Ely Adventure School and making a real difference in the lives of our children. Thank you for your generosity!