I must admit, I didn’t know much about Compass Outdoor Adventures. But then I spoke to Luke Talbott, CEO and founder of Compass, who has been teaching and leading folks in and out of the classroom for the last twenty years.
A former fifth-grade teacher, Luke, started Compass over ten years ago, building the business to help people realize that’s it’s good to take risks and be curious as you never know what’s around the next bend.
He’s taught people how to ride brand new flowy trails on mountain bikes, drive rally cars sideways, do long division, and code new websites in addition to scores of other skills and adventures.
Talbott had just started his corporate programs, unique team building activities designed to get teams outdoors and working together while having a great time when Covid-19 hit. To survive, he and Compass switched gears and started doing Scavenger Hunts.
In these interactive, app-based scavenger hunts, teams solved missions designed to get everyone moving around, laughing and having a blast.
Now Luke has taken on a new adventure himself, a new headquarters for Compass, South Fork, just off Exit 32 in North Bend. Luke and some business partners, including Karin Ayling, a corporate sales manager for Compass, bought the long for sale parcel on which their new HQ will sit.
Talbott envisions this new venture as an outdoor gathering hub. A place where people can gather after exploring all the wonders the valley has to offer. He says, “think outdoor beer gardens, super cool events, craft beers, great food and even better vibes, (than their old space).”
The events will include trivia nights, built by two Jeopardy champions, maker conversations by professionals such as photographers, videographers, mountain bikers and book presentations. It will be a place to learn and commune with other outdoorsy people.
The plan is to rebrand and renew the existing space and have coffee, beer, wine, food, and event services as early as 2022.
Meanwhile, South Fork has a chef building out a menu of simple healthy food options (soup & sandwiches) for grab-and-go options on the patio by an outdoor fire pit. An outdoor beer garden will be installed to enjoy with your food.
As Luke and his crew would say, “The outdoors is our compass to finding our own true north and becoming the best version of ourselves.” This new space might be just the place for many to find themselves.
Good Luck, Compass!
