Eddie Bauer and The Explorers Club Drive Forward the New Face of Exploration

SEATTLE, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Eddie Bauer, a specialty retailer of sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle today announced its sponsorship of The Explorers Club, an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. The multifaceted relationship includes two new grant programs and names Eddie Bauer "Outfitter of The Explorers Club."

As laid out in 1904 by its founders, The Explorers Club mission encourages public interest in exploration. In support of this, Eddie Bauer and The Explorers Club are launching two new grant programs: The "Explorers Club-Eddie Bauer Youth Grant," will be awarded to eligible applicants for work in climate change, preservation and sustainability and the "Explorers Club-Eddie Bauer Grant for Expeditions" will be used to fund expeditions relating to climate change, preservation and sustainability.

"The stakes for exploration today are ever higher, and with our rapidly-changing environment and planet, the need for research and sustainability is most urgent," said Lorie Karnath, president of the Explorers Club. "The support of Eddie Bauer, a company whose commitment to the outdoors is at the forefront of its existence, synergizes well with The Explorers Club mission."

Eddie Bauer founded his business in 1920 and quickly became a renowned outfitter and innovator. While he built his business serving hunters and fishermen of the Pacific Northwest, he went on to become America's premier expedition outfitter during the golden age of Himalayan mountaineering. He outfitted Honorary Member of The Explorers Club, Jim Whittaker, when he became first American to summit Mt. Everest in 1963.  

"Eddie Bauer was an explorer and adventurer at heart. He spent as much time in the outdoors and wilderness as possible and helped other explorers – from World War II airmen to mountaineers, to the first American scientists to winter in Antarctica, to Iditarod mushers – to survive the elements," said Neil Fiske, president and CEO of Eddie Bauer. "Our support of the Explorers Club promotes both Eddie's legacy and the Explorers Club mission by encouraging that same sort of discovery today."

The Explorers Club – Eddie Bauer Presidential Grants will be chosen by a committee of Club members and representatives from Eddie Bauer. For more information visit The Explorers Club at www.explorers.org.

ABOUT EDDIE BAUER

Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 358 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalog sales and online at eddiebauer.com.

ABOUT THE EXPLORERS CLUB

The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Since its inception in 1904, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide. Our headquarters is located at 46 East 70th Street in New York City.

The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club's members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon—all accomplished by our members.

SOURCE Eddie Bauer