Ascend Youth Program Survey

Ascend Youth Program Survey

Help Us Expand Access to Ascend’s Summer Backpacking Trips
For more than 20 years, Ascend Wilderness Experience has fully funded our youth backpacking trips (ages 6–14), ensuring that cost was never a barrier to participation. These trips introduce young people to wilderness while fostering confidence, resilience, connection, outdoor skills and a lasting connection to the natural world.

Due to funding challenges, we are unable to fully fund youth trips this year as we have in the past. As we look ahead, we are exploring whether all-inclusive, multi-day backpacking trips might be offered in the future with families covering some or all of the cost.

This survey is designed to help us understand parents’ and community interest, affordability, and potential barriers to for-fee youth trips, so we can determine whether it is feasible to move forward with planning future youth programming.

Your responses will help guide future planning and ensure that any programs we offer remain accessible, realistic, and aligned with the needs of families in our community. Participation in this survey does not represent a commitment, only an opportunity to share your perspective. Thank you for taking the time to help shape the future of Ascend’s youth programs.
Program Interest & Experience

The following questions help us understand how you’ve participated in Ascend’s programs in the past and how you might like to engage in the future.
Are you a... (Check all that apply, if "other" please elaborate)*

Parent or guardian with children interested in Ascend's backpacking programsCommunity member interested in Ascend's youth programsFuture DonorPrevious DonorOther
Have you signed yourself, or your child up for Ascend's youth programming before?*

YesNot yetN/A
If yes, how many times? How many children? And what type of trip(s): day hike, overnight 3-day, 5-day, 7-day?
If no, are you interested in signing up your child, or yourself, for a program this summer or in the future?*

YesNoN/A
In general, how many children in your family might participate in Ascend's youth programming? *
How many adults in your family might participate in Ascend's family or adult programs?*
What wilderness programs are you interested in for you, or your family members? (Check all that apply, if "other" please elaborate)*

Youth Day HikeAdult Day HikeFamily Day Hike3-day youth backpacking trip (ages 9-11)5-day youth backpacking trip (ages 9-11)5-day youth backpacking trip (ages 12-14)Family backpacking tripsAdult Volunteer Stewardship TripsElder hikes, trips for seasoned adventurersCommunity youth eventsTeen Internship TripsTeen Backpacking-Only tripsLong-distance, through-hiking backpacking tripsWinter trips (snowshoeing, skiing, etc.)Field Trips to regional National Parks & National Recreational AreasShuttle services (Trailhead drop offs/pick ups)Gear Library AccessN/AOther
Input on Trip Costs

This sections helps us understand what families can afford.
For context, it costs Ascend approximately $300 per day per child to run our youth backpacking programs. For many years, we have covered 100% of these costs through grants, allowing trips to remain free for families. However, changes in the current funding landscape have made this model increasingly difficult to sustain.

Below is how that cost translates across different youth trip options:

$300/person – Day Hikes (youth aged 6–14)
$900/person – 3-day backpacking trips (youth aged 9–11)
$1,500/person – 5-day backpacking trips (youth aged 9–14)

These amounts reflect only boots-on-the-ground expenses and include everything necessary for the trip, such as qualified, safety-certified guides, food, transportation, gear and even hiking boots if needed.

For the following questions, please respond based on what makes sense for your child’s age and the type of trip you are considering.
To avoid canceling youth programs, Ascend is exploring offering youth trips at cost. Would the need to pay make you less likely to enroll your child?*

Yes - cost would be a barrierPossibly - I would need partial assistanceNo - I would still enroll my childNot sureOther
If Ascend charged for youth trips, what is the maximum amount you could afford to pay for your child’s participation?*

10% (or max of $30/day, $150 for 5-day trip)25% (or max of $75/day, $375 for 5-day trip)50% (or max of $150/day, $750 for 5-day trip)75% (or max of $225/day, $1125 for 5-day trip)100% - I can pay the price of the tripOver 100% - I can offer an additional tax deductible donation to a scholarship fund for other youth.My child is interested but any cost is a barrier.N/A
If scholarships or financial assistance were available, what level of cost reduction would be necessary?*

10% discount (cost to parent: $270/day)25% discount (cost to parent: $225/day)50% discount (cost to parent: $150/day)75% discount (cost to parent: $75/day)100% discountI wouldn't need financial assistance
If Ascend charged for youth trips and it's not something you could afford this year, would you consider signing up your child next year or at a later time?*

Yes, next yearPossibly next yearMaybe in the futureUnlikely/noFinances aren't my current obstacleN/A
Additional Barriers or Challenges

These questions help us identify barriers beyond cost, so we can plan programs that work for families.
We know cost isn’t the only factor in participation. What other challenges might make it hard for you, your child, to join Ascend trips? (Select all that apply.)*

Scheduling conflicts (e.g., work, school, family obligations)Transportation - lack of or limitationsChild’s age or developmental readiness for the tripPhysical or health limitations of the childParent's lack of experience with wilderness/outdoor activitiesChild's lack of experience with wilderness/outdoor activitiesParent's safety concerns or fear of outdoor activitiesChild's safety concerns or fear of outdoor activitiesNeed for special dietary accommodationsLanguage or communication barriersPrevious negative experiences in outdoor programsConcerns about accessibility for children with disabilitiesConcerns about cultural sensitivity or inclusivityConcerns about representation or feeling welcomeOther
Are there any other barriers or challenges you’d like to share with us regarding you, your child’s, participation in Ascend trips?
Supporting Youth Programs Together

We’d love your help sharing this survey and connecting us with potential donors, grant opportunities, or other ways to support youth trips.
If this survey doesn’t show enough interest to move forward, we may not be able to schedule youth trips in the near future. If you feel strongly about supporting these programs, you can help by sharing this survey with other families.

https://www.jotform.com/form/260197065696064
Do you know of any potential donors or grant opportunities that could support Ascend youth trips? If so, please share details.
Do you have any ideas for fundraising or other ways to help make youth trips possible? Please describe.
Have you donated to Ascend before?*

YesNoI would like you to reach out to me to make a donation
If yes, which of the following best describes your donation(s)? (Select all that apply)*

Donation related to my, my child's, participation in a programGeneral support / not tied to participationMade at an event (e.g. tabling, fundraiser support)End-of-year /annual givingAnonymous donationOne-time or random giftN/AOther
Are you affiliated with an organization or youth group that might be interested in collaborating or sharing resources to support Ascend youth programs? If so, please provide the name of the organization and any details you'd like to share.
Please provide basic contact information:

We will use your name and email address only to follow up on your survey response, if needed. Your information will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number
Email*
example@example.com
Zip Code *
Would you like to be on our email list? It’s the best way to stay up to date on Ascend programs and upcoming opportunities. We only send emails when there is news to share (i.e. summer trip schedules, etc).*

Yes, thank youNot at this timeI'm already receiving Ascend's emails
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us at this time?
We appreciate your time and thoughtful input. Your feedback will help Ascend understand what is feasible for families and guide how we design future youth programs that balance access, affordability, and program quality.

As a final note - Ascend's Teen & Adult Programs are currently funded and we have a full schedule already in the works. Although some of these survey questions reference family and adult opportunities, the main focus is in regards to youth specific trip funding. Stay tuned to our website (ascendwilderness.org) for a Save-The-Date schedule of Teen Internship & Adult trips, or sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know.
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Ascend Youth Program Survey

Program Interest & Experience

Input on Trip Costs

Additional Barriers or Challenges

Supporting Youth Programs Together

Please provide basic contact information: