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I’m Susan “Goldilocks” Tschirhart, and the idea for this company began the way many good things do—on the trail, during a long walk and an honest conversation.

Fred and I had been serving as Scouting America leaders for more than 20 years, guiding youth and adults into the backcountry and watching firsthand how time outdoors builds confidence, resilience, and connection. One summer, while backpacking together without the youth (they were all working at summer camp), we started playfully tossing around retirement ideas. None of them felt quite right.

So I asked a different question—one that cuts straight to purpose:
“What’s your personal mission?”

Fred didn’t hesitate.
“To connect more people with the outdoors.”

That answer sealed it. I suggested starting a hiking company. Fred blinked, smiled, and said,
“Wait… we can get paid to hike?”
I laughed and replied, “Absolutely.”

From there, I took the lead—researching, mapping out the business, and pitching a plan grounded in experience, stewardship, and community. What emerged was Next Bend Adventures, a company built on the belief that the outdoors is for everyone and that meaningful experiences happen when people feel prepared, supported, and inspired.

We named the company after our favorite trail response to questions like “Are we there yet?”, “Where’s the campsite?”, or “When do we get to the view?”
“It’s just around the next bend.”

Because it usually is. And so is the next adventure, the next challenge, and sometimes even the next version of yourself.

Join us on a #mynextbend adventure and discover what’s waiting just around your next bend.