Access to the outdoors should not be limited by means, we’re proud to honor Jack and his passion with this foundation.

Our Inspiration

John Douglas Murphy, known to all as “Jack,” died on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 near Enos Lake in the Absaroka Mountains of Wyoming. Jack was struck by lightning while on a Wilderness First Responder expedition with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). He was 22 years young, strong and handsome, with a compassionate and generous spirit that allowed him to connect with others.

Although born and raised in the South End of Boston, Jack developed a love of the outdoors at an early age, spending significant time in Sunapee, NH with family and friends. After a day of skiing Jack would find ways to stay outside longer, whether that be sledding or building forts in the woods, many of which survive to this day. As he grew older, Jack sought out more formal adventures at wilderness camps including: Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Adventures with Birch Point Camp, glacier training at Mount Baker with his dad, and before his senior year of high school a 5-week Alaska backpacking expedition with NOLS. This Alaska trip was a formative experience and one where he excelled as a chosen leader to others in the group.

Throughout college at the University of Colorado, Boulder Jack continued to enjoy outdoor adventures and leadership positions that allowed him to connect with others and was a Founding Brother of the newly reorganized Beta Chapter at CU. Like many young adults, Jack faced some challenges during college but he always found peace and meaning in the outdoors. At the time of his death he was contemplating the next steps in his journey to adulthood including a career as a first responder and/or in outdoor education. Jack returned to NOLS to explore these passions. A few days before his death he called his family thrilled to have completed his certificate as a Wilderness First Responder. He was excited to begin the outdoor educator portion of the program with his new group of friends from the NOLS course.

Jack’s sudden and tragic death has inspired us to start the Jack Murphy Foundation to continue Jack’s legacy by sharing his passion for the outdoors and wilderness education with others. Our hope is that we can support young people in gaining an exposure to the outdoors that ignites their passion to pursue their own adventures, and to provide needed resources to those called to a career in the outdoors but require funding to pursue their passion. In this way Jack’s spirit will live on.