Project for youCode 2025 Submission

Arc'Link is a progressive web application to connect members of the Arc'teryx community in a safe, protected environment.

We believe the outdoors should belong to everyone — not just those who can afford the gear or grew up near the mountains.
The most powerful movements often begin with a story: a hike that changed someone’s life, a community that built a trail together, a barrier broken by pure determination.

Arc'Link was born to bring those stories together — connecting the dreamers, doers, and disruptors funded by Arc'teryx.
This isn’t just a platform. It’s a digital campfire — a space where changemakers find each other and spark the next adventure.

Arc'Link is a web platform where Arc'teryx grantees can:

• Share personal stories and project updates
• Create and browse community events
• Find collaborators, volunteers, and mentors
• Offer or request support and resources

• Frontend: React, styled with TailwindCSS and icons from Lucide React for a clean, smooth UI
• Backend: Next.js, Firebase Authentication for secure user login, and Firestore for real-time data syncing

• Real-time updates: Ensuring smooth syncing of posts and events across users with Firebase required careful data structuring.
• Scope creep: We had many feature ideas but prioritized what would have the biggest impact within the time constraints.

• Built a fully functional prototype with authentication, event creation, and a live activity feed
• Designed a clean, inclusive user interface that reflects Arc'teryx community values
• Focused on accessibility and community trust from the start

• How to rapidly prototype a full-stack application with real-world utility
• The importance of inclusive design—not just visually, but in how we structure interactions
• How to channel a broad social mission into a focused, actionable product

• User testing: Pilot with real Arc'teryx grantees to gather feedback and improve the platform
• Mobile responsiveness: Optimize for smaller devices for easier field use
• Points & recognition system: Reward users for collaboration, event hosting, and support
• Admin tools: Enable Arc'teryx staff to spotlight projects, manage events, and collect insights

✨ Arc'Link is more than a project — it's a movement to empower every outdoor storyteller, builder, and changemaker.