Scholarships

Trip applications for 2025 will open Dec 9. See this page for more information. Scholarship applications for 2025 will open in mid-January. This page will be updated at that time.

Since founding this program in 2011, my primary goal has been to empower individuals with outdoor skills and knowledge so that they can confidently undertake trips of their own and informally lead family and friends in the backcountry.

In 2022 we launched a needs-based scholarship program to create more opportunities for individuals whose outdoor access has been hindered by limited financial resources, lack of generational or communal outdoor knowledge, or discrimination.

Who can apply?

This is a needs-based scholarship. We use Living Wage to evaluate the financial barriers of each applicant.

If an applicant demonstrates financial need, then we consider additional factors. We are particularly seeking candidates who are committed to engaging with the material, improving their backcountry skills, and sharing those skills with others. 

As with non-scholarship applicants, we will consider a scholarship applicant’s backpacking experience and fitness in placing them on a trip.

For what are you applying?

In 2024, we plan to offer scholarship spots on the following trips:

• Utah Adventure 5- and 7-day courses
• West Virginia Fundamentals 3-day and Adventure 5-day courses

Please check the trip schedule and determine whether these dates work for you before you submit an application.

Scholarship value

The scholarship award is equal to 80 percent of the trip fee. The scholarship recipient is responsible for the remaining 20 percent.

Deadlines

Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, until all available spots are filled.

Why are applications not approved

We most often decline applicants who:

• Do not follow the application instructions, specifically by not completing both the Scholarship Application Form and the Trip Application Form
• Do not pay the Application Fee
• Provide incomplete, inadequate, and rushed answers
• Are intentionally unemployed or who are in school and on the cusp of lucrative careers (e.g. medical, legal, MBA)

To apply

1. Complete the Scholarship Application Form

• You’ll be asked for your household income and your living wage. For the living wage, write the hourly wage provided in the living wage calculator for your state. There are different options for single adult, two adults (one working), and two adults. Choose whichever applies to you.
• The scholarship application includes long-form written responses, and we recommend that you prepare answers beforehand. To preview it, download the form as a PDF.

2. If you’re applying for a guided trip, you MUST also complete the standard Trip Application Form.

• Guided trip applicants that do not complete the standard Trip Application will not be considered. 
• The $25 application fee will be refunded if you’re not selected for a trip. 
• Guided trip recipients will receive access to a pre-trip planning curriculum as well as our gear library.

Have questions?

Contact me.

Are you interested in donating?

If you are interested in donating time (e.g. mentorship), money, or gear, please sign up.