About Cruz Outdoors
CRUZ OUTDOORS was founded in 2017, with the mission to promote personal, social and ecological wellness through the facilitation of mindful outdoor adventure participation and experiences. Since we began, we have served hundreds of individuals including families, youth groups, athletic teams, corporations and active duty service men and women among others, with safe and rewarding outdoor adventure experiences
Based in Greene NY, in the heart of Chenango County, we offer easy access to numerous rivers, lakes, public forest lands and trails that are rich with history and provide a perfect setting for memorable outdoor experiences. Also, don't forget to check out Siesta Woods, our private 13 acre nature retreat complete with cabin rentals, campsites, sauna, trails, low ropes adventure course and more! Perfect for a family weekend or your next company team building retreat!
Cruz Outdoors is owned and operated by Brandon Cruz, a New York State Licensed Outdoor Guide and Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with 10 years professional experience leading outdoor recreation, team building and therapeutic recreation activities with youth and families. Brandon is certified in CPR, First Aid and Water Safety for Guides. He is also a Certified Outdoor Leader with the Wilderness Education Association.
Executive Summary
My name is Brandon Cruz and I am the owner and operator of Cruz Outdoors, a New York State Licensed Outdoor Guide Service and Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Provider based in Greene NY. I am writing today to express my sincere interest, desire and intention for opening a new Outdoor Recreation Service and Retail Center in Downtown Binghamton.
My reasons for choosing Binghamton are two fold. First, I want to capitalize on the strategic location of Downtown Binghamton in relation to two, highly valuable outdoor recreation resources, namely the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers. Second, as a Binghamton native, it has been a reoccurring dream of mine to participate and contribute in a more meaningful way, to the growing outdoor culture and recreational future of the Greater Binghamton Community.
Since I began in 2017, Cruz Outdoors has provided hundreds of individuals in Broome and Chenango Counties with safe and rewarding outdoor adventure experiences including: guided hikes and river trips; kayak, canoe and stand up paddleboard rentals; paddling instruction; backpacking and wilderness skills programming; adventure-based team building; and therapeutic recreation.
Not only do I love guiding and facilitating outdoor adventures. As a Recreation Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Recreation, I have direct experience and knowledge related to the benefits of mindfulness in nature and outdoor recreation. That is why the mission of Cruz Outdoors is to promote personal, social and environmental wellness through the facilitation of mindful outdoor adventure experiences. Through this, I hope to educate and encourage others in Binghamton, to respect and care for the environment, themself and one another. This is Cruz Outdoors!
To accomplish the mission, I am seeking the support of the Binghamton Local Development Corporation (BLDC) and the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP). Let it be known, I am a graduate of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and also the Binghamton Accelerator Program (BAP) and I take to heart the seriousness and value of this incredible opportunity.
To help me relocate and set up shop in Binghamton, I have enlisted the support of a few, amazing Outdoor Recreation Interns from S.U.N.Y Cortland whom are ready to make a difference on the rivers in Binghamton! I am also connected to a powerful network of friends, family and colleagues living in the Binghamton area who are ready to help out as needed, including a local real estate developer who is game for the cause.
In summary, I want to thank you for taking the time to learn about my mission and critique my plan. I appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to paddle deep on this fantastic voyage, downriver toward Binghamton! Summer is almost here, the rivers are flowing and my canoe trailer is loaded. Hey Binghamton! Are you ready to Cruz Outdoors?
