CamelBak Donates Proceeds of OR Bottle Sales to Big City Mountaineers

In a continued effort to give back to the outdoor community, CamelBak® dedicated the proceeds of its “Bottle Sales for Change” program to Big City Mountaineers (BCM) at this year’s Winter OR. BCM was the proud recipient of $3,600 that was raised from sales of the new CamelBak Bottle during the tradeshow week. The cash donation was part of an overall $12,800 donation that included product to be used by BCM participants and volunteers throughout the country.

“CamelBak continues to use its leadership in the hydration business to benefit non-profits like Big City Mountaineers,” said Mark Godley, Executive Director of Big City Mountaineers. “BCM is thrilled with the proceeds from the sale of CamelBak’s innovative bottles. CamelBak’s fundraiser at Winter OR was the most successful BCM has run in the past 2 years.”

“This was a great chance for CamelBak to support a leading youth organization,” said Mac Tillman, VP of Marketing at CamelBak. “Big City Mountaineers provides teens a powerful mentorship opportunity through an exciting backcountry experience.”

Since the inception of CamelBak’s “Bottle Sales for Change” program just over a year ago, CamelBak has donated over $60,000 to various groups in the outdoor industry dedicated to making a difference in the areas that they serve.

About Big City Mountaineers
BCM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is the country’s leading volunteer organization devoted to providing significant mentoring during wilderness trips for urban teens participating in existing youth development programs. BCM was created to offer under resourced teenagers participating in existing youth development programs a dramatic learning experience. The BCM program is an eight-day trip, the focus of which is a five-day backcountry backpacking or canoeing experience during which 5 teens are matched with 5 volunteer adult role models. While immersed in a pristine wilderness in the company of caring adults, the teens progress along an emotional journey that leaves many transformed with a greater sense of selves.

About CamelBak®
CamelBak Products, LLC. is the originator of the Hands-Free Hydration system. Since 1991, CamelBak’s state of the art packs and hydration systems have benefited athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and military/government professionals around the world. CamelBak continues to deliver innovative hydration products to the market with the belief in the performance advantage that proper hydration can deliver in any situation. The company is a privately held portfolio company of Bear Stearns Merchant Banking (BSMB) and is headquartered in Petaluma, California.

About BSMB
BSMB, the private equity affiliate of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC), invests private equity capital in compelling leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and growth capital opportunities alongside superior management teams. BSMB focuses on making control or entrepreneur-driven investments, principally in middle-market retail, financial services and consumer products companies. Since its formation in 1997, BSMB has been an investor in over 50 portfolio companies. BSMB manages nearly $5 billion of private equity capital, including its new $2.7 billion institutional fund and capital dedicated to its affiliate, Bear Growth Capital Partners. Investments by BSMB have included: ACA Capital Holdings (NYSE: ACA), Balducci’s, CamelBak Products, Caribbean Financial Group, Cavalry Investments, Churchill Financial Holdings, Dairyland, Everything But Water, Harlem Furniture, Ironshore Inc., Multi Packaging Solutions, New York & Company (NYSE: NWY), Reddy Ice (NYSE: FRZ), Seven For All Mankind, Stuart Weitzman, Transamerican Auto Parts Company and The Vitamin Shoppe. More information about BSMB can be found at www.bsmb.com.