The Cause
This year, Chainbreaker is proud to ride for Wilderness Kids Alexandria — a local nonprofit that gets kids off screens, into nature, and builds the resilience they need to thrive.
Why Wilderness Kids Alexandria
We chose Wilderness Kids Alexandria because they're tackling one of the most pressing issues facing youth in our community. A 2021 study by the Alexandria Health Department identified three urgent priorities for the city: poverty, housing, and mental health.
One of the top recommended strategies to address the mental health crisis is expanding access to free and low-cost physical activity.That's exactly what WKA does — they get kids outside, moving their bodies, and discovering a lifelong passion for hiking, paddling, climbing, and exploring the outdoors.
The City's Children & Youth Master Plan calls for building “Developmental Assets” in young people — the foundations that help kids grow into strong, capable adults. WKA delivers on all four pillars of that plan:
Four Pillars of Impact
Support
Building meaningful relationships between kids and caring adults who guide them through outdoor challenges and personal growth.
Empowerment
Giving young people the confidence to take on new adventures — from their first hike to navigating rapids — and carry that strength into everyday life.
Constructive Use of Time
Replacing screens with streams. WKA fills after-school hours and weekends with hiking, paddling, climbing, and exploring the natural world.
Boundaries & Expectations
The wilderness is the ultimate teacher. Nature sets the rules, and kids learn accountability, teamwork, and resilience by rising to meet them.
Break chains. Build futures.
All proceeds from Chainbreaker 2026 go directly to Wilderness Kids Alexandria. Every mile you ride helps a kid discover the outdoors.