Geography of Hope

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is Geography of Hope?
How does Geography of Hope work?
Why Geography of Hope this summer?
Who can apply to Geography of Hope?
Who are our partner outdoor education programs?
Who is Geography of Hope?
What if I have never done this before?
Can I call home? Can I get mail?
What's the food like?
Is it true there are no showers?
What about safety?
What kind of people will be on my program?
How many people will be in my group? How many staff?

What is Geography of Hope?

Geography of Hope is a non-profit organization which seeks to connect those most in need of hope - young people - with the wilderness, a geography that has always embodied hope, challenge and growth for Americans. We believe by providing an opportunity for bright talented young people from our cities to explore and meet the challenges of the wilderness, they will grow as individuals and as leaders, they will broaden their horizons and raise their goals to new heights, and they will build skills and confidence to make their lives and their communities better.
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How does Geography of Hope work?

Geography of Hope awards grants to bright talented young people to attend wilderness education programs in the summer. Participants fill out an application, get references from teachers and other adults who know them well, and then Geography of Hope staff will interviews each applicant. Then we work with our partner outdoor education programs to find an expedition that fits each participant. Geography of Hope will cover all costs to attend the program selected - the cost of the program, travel costs, and all the clothing and equipment you need. Geography of Hope provides grants based on financial need. Unfortunately, our grant funds are limited so we can't help everyone who applies.
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Why Geography of Hope this summer?

There are lots of reasons to go on an wilderness education course through Geography of Hope. Exposure to the beauty and majesty of the American wilderness. Learning camping, climbing, rafting and other skills. But nobody explains what Geography of Hope is really about better than the young people who have done it:

It was the toughest summer I ever had, but it was the best summer I have ever had too. I want to do it again next year.
- Jorah Ivy, past participant
I made so many memories and learned so much. This summer has made me a more persistent individual. My sense of the value of the outdoors has heightened incredibly.
- Kennana Hawkins, past participant

The young people who spend the summer on one of our outdoor education course come home with great memories, more confidence, higher goals, and a new outlook on life. Don't you want to join us?
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Who can apply to Geography of Hope?

Geography of Hope provides opportunities to bright talented young people who are leaders, interested in the wilderness, and ready for an exciting challenge. Participants must be 13 years old to18 years old, a resident of the city or the suburbs, a student in good standing and in moderately good physical shape.
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Who are our partner wilderness education programs?

Geography of Hope works with organizations that are leaders in the field of wilderness education to ensure that participants have a safe, fun, challenging, exciting experience in the wilderness. Currently we place participants in programs run by two organizations: The Road Less Traveled, Pacific Crest Outward Bound, and Voyager Outward Bound. The Road Less Traveled focuses its courses in the Rocky Mountains of the West. Pacific Crest Outward Bound focuses its courses in the Sierra Nevada of California and the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon.
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Who is Geography of Hope?

Geography of Hope was founded in 1997. We believe experiences in the outdoors are extremely valuable for young people. Geography of Hope is our commitment to making these experiences available to all young people. Christopher Mann is the Founder and President of Geography of Hope. He is a former outdoor education instructor and guide. Brian Forster serves as Vice-President, Brett Johnson as Treasurer, and Skye McQueen as General Counsel. Eric Bergerson, Tom Michael and Anne Lester provide invaluable service as members of the Board of Directors. Click Here for more information.
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What if I have never done this before?

Any person in average physical shape can succeed as a participant with Geography of Hope. The only requirements are a genuine desire as well as a willingness and commitment to participate. It is important to prepare for your program by getting in good physical shape. Our wilderness education partners require a medical exam, but the programs are designed so that everyone can participate equally regardless of experience or ability. Program leaders provide instruction before and during each activity. Very few - if any - of the other young people on your program will have done anything like this before.
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Can I call home? Can I get mail?

When you participate with Geography of Hope, you will be away from a phone for several weeks while you are in the wilderness. Cellular phones, pagers and other electronic devices are not allowed on any program and will probably not work. You will not be able to call home except to let your family know you have arrived safely from your flight. In an emergency, your family will be able to contact Geography of Hope or our wilderness education program partners to reach you. However, this is only for a true emergency because getting the message to you may require someone to hike many miles into the wilderness to catch up with your group.

About two or three times, depending on your trip, you will be able to get and send mail. You will find out where to have mail sent when you are placed in a wilderness program.
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What's the food like?

It is safe to say that the food on your program will be different than what you eat at home. Food and nutrition are important to all of us, but they become far more important when we are expending additional energy. The food you will eat varies from program to program, but it is nutritious, filling and tastes good. Food will be prepared by your group. You will have to help cook - as well as help carry food, a camping stove and pots for the group. Rest assured that your leaders will help you with recipes and tips, so you will eat pretty well.

Geography of Hope does not work with any survival programs. While you might get the opportunity to pick a few wild raspberries or strawberries for fun, you will not gather any of your food. Our wilderness education partner will provide you with all the food for a nutritious, filling and tasty diet during your program at the beginning of your journey and at designated re-supply points.
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Is it true there are no showers?

It's true, but on most of our programs there are plenty of streams or lakes - much more refreshing than a shower. Hygiene is an important part of safety on our programs and taken very seriously.
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What about safety?

Safety is our first priority and we work only with wilderness education partners who have a proven safety record. Statistically, it will be more dangerous to ride to the airport in a car than any other part of your trip.

Prevention is the key to safety. Geography of Hope ensures that all participants are well-equipped. Geography of Hope's wilderness education partners provide top-quality gear for group activities, careful instruction to ensure that all the equipment is correctly used and highly skilled professional supervision to make sure that all activities are conducted safely.

The leaders of your program all have advanced first-aid training as a WEMT (Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician), EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), or WFR (Wilderness First Responder). They will have extensive first-aid kits and a variety of means of summoning help in a true emergency.

Accidents happen - everything from minor scraps to more serious injuries. Your program leaders will be well trained and well prepared to take care of you and keep everyone safe.
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What kind of people will be on my program?

Geography of Hope does not work with programs that group young people from the same background together. We believe there is a tremendous amount to be learned from diversity.

All programs that we work with are co-ed. However, programs ensure that no one is an uncomfortable situation and romantic relationships are forbidden. You will be with people from different parts of the country.

Wilderness education programs are expensive, so most of the people who are on your program may be from a very affluent background. Geography of Hope can only afford to provide grants to a limited number of participants and there aren't a lot of other opportunities for assistance in paying the costs of these programs, so the rest of the people on your course may be from families that could afford to pay for everything themselves.

Like Geography of Hope, all of our wilderness education partners screen the participants in your program for interest in the outdoors, maturity, leadership ability, and good health. They will come from different social, geographic and ethnic backgrounds. They will be young people with intelligence, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks and share the load. They have an interest in grasping a broader sense of responsibility and a larger understanding of the physical world. They tend to want to meet new people and cultivate a greater appreciation of the outdoors.
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How many people will be in my group? How many staff?

There will be between eight and sixteen participants in your group, depending on which program you go on. The staff to participant ratio is always at least 1 program staff person for each 7 participants - and many parts of your program may have more staff members.
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