‘It’s almost like Boy Scouts on steroids’: Washougal nonprofit provides safe, educational and adventurous backcountry experiences

Randy and Robyn Lavasseur have always been drawn to nature and to going on outdoor adventures with their children.

“Being out in nature has been very therapeutic for us,” Robyn said. “(It helps us form) a tighter, closer bond with our kids. You get them out of using their devices, because you don’t have reception, so all you can do is connect as a family, and that’s really helped us.”

Now, the Washougal couple wants to help others experience the joys of roaming in backcountry settings. The Lavasseurs recently launched Riding Trails and Rock Faces, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide people with safe, educational and adventurous backcountry experiences.

“I think it all came about because we were already doing (these things) with some of our friends and neighbors, and more and more people kept coming to us asking us how they can become a part of it,” Robyn said of the new nonprofit.

The Lavasseurs’ organization offers educational outdoors and survival courses, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, fire safety, firearms, animal processing, rappelling, rock climbing, rope rescue and more.

“It’s almost like Boy Scouts on steroids,” Robyn said. “More and more people want to do (this), but they’re scared and they don’t understand the different things that could happen when they’re out in the backcountry. With our experience, we decided to evolve this community and this nonprofit to enable other families to become a part of it and to share our knowledge with them.”

The Lavasseurs and their children — 31-year-old Bryce, 14-year-old Enzo and 10-year-old Lilliana — are experienced adventurers. They’ve hiked sections “G” and “I” of the Pacific Crest Trail, and are planning to do section “J” this year. In 2024, they hiked up Mount Rainier with their horses and spent two weeks in the mountain’s wilderness. In 2023, Randy, Enzo and Lilliana, along with Katya Firstenburg, then 11, and Ryder and Sawyer Firstenburg, then 9, completed Mount Hood’s challenging Timberline Trail.

Over the years, the family has incorporated various activities, such as rappelling and horseback riding, into its adventures.

“I think for the last five years, we’ve done an adventure of more than a week out in the backcountry,” Robyn said. “Every year there’s a new challenge, and we seem to take that challenge.”

The Lavasseurs acknowledge that the activities they enjoy come with risks and might not be for everybody. The nonprofit ensures the safety of its participants through thorough background checks and certifications for instructors. The organization also conducts risk-assessments before each adventure.

Randy works as a deputy regional director for the National Parks Service, operates a private investigation business and previously taught rappelling to special weapons and tactics teams. Bryce also works for the National Parks Service as a law enforcement ranger and previously served in the United States Marine Corp. Randy and Bryce both have emergency medical training certifications.

Mariya Firstenburg, a Riding Trails and Rock Faces board member, is a certified mushroom picker. Her husband, Scott Firstenburg, also a member of the Riding Trails and Rock Faces board of directors, is a volunteer member of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue team.

“We’ve just been lucky that we have a lot of skills and friends that have skills. It’s unique to come across these people that only add to your knowledge base,” Robyn said.

No prior experience is required to sign up for a course, but “a willingness to learn and participate is essential,” according to the organization’s website. Participants are encouraged to bring personal gear, but will be provided equipment if necessary.

The organization is accepting donations through its website, ridingtrailsandrockfaces.com.

“The donations go toward more adventures, more gear for even more people to become eligible to go into the backcountry,” Robyn said. “The money enables more people to have the experience.”

The price for the courses will “depend on the session,” Robyn said.

“We encourage families to donate to pay it forward to help a family that possibly couldn’t afford a session or equipment in the future,” she said.

The courses are available by appointment and will be held on or near the Lavasseurs’ 7-acre, rural Washougal property. Participants can sign up for individual courses, but if they complete all of the courses, they’ll become eligible to join the Lavasseurs on their trek through section “J” of the Pacific Crest Trail in August.

“If you want to do the finale, you’ll need to do these things and prepare yourself to come with us,” Robyn said. “A lot of people are like, ‘How are you comfortable going into the backcountry?’ Well, you need to naturally have these types of skill sets, so that when you encounter (challenges), you have the skills to prepare yourself.”

For more information or to schedule a course, visit ridingtrailsandrockfaces.com.