Youth Development through the Mountain Experience

Summer 2014 Newsletter

J.U.M.P. (Just Understand My Potential) is a 501 (c) (3) educational nonprofit that introduces young people to the mountains of New England. All participants receive extensive mountain-skills training, hiking and backpacking experiences, and mentoring, helping them to achieve and expect more. Fun is always an option.Come visit us at http://jumpinc.org

Our cross country ski event in February

Two Jumpers working with a protractor during the land navigation course

The J.U.M.P. crew on the Firescrew Trail during our May trip to Mt. Cardigan

Winter and Spring Activities

Welcome. We had an active winter and spring, highlighted by our second annual cross-country ski day and our first-ever evening event for our participants, parents/guardians, supporters, and members of the community. We kicked off our New Hampshire hiking season early, with a mid-May trip to Mt. Cardigan. The emphasis was on skills training. Tarp shelters were given the acid test the first night, in heavy rain, and came through with flying colors. It was the first time that we had everyone sleep under tarp shelters that they'd pitched themselves, which was something of a milestone.

A Night to Remember

On March 29, J.U.M.P. hosted a "gala evening" of celebration, information, and conversation, at the Fitchburg and Leominster Boys & Girls Club... To read the rest of the article, click here.

Jumpers Honored For Their Achievements

Speaking of the Boys & Girls Club, Clever Chaves, one of our most committed young hikers, was named the 2014 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. This is the highest honor that the Club can bestow on a graduating program participant. Clever is the second Jumper to attain this honor. Andre Sanchez Robledo, another of our regular outing participants, won the award last year. Both are pursuing higher education. Clever is interested in science and technology, Andre wants to become a social worker. We're very proud of these two young men.

Click here to learn about our Summer Skills Training!

Stats!

A vital J.U.M.P partner is the Appalachian Mountain Club's Youth Opportunities Program. YOP has annually given us a "Kids in Huts" grant, which allows us access to the AMC's lodges and huts at a very deep discount. The AMC is highly motivated to help underserved youth populations, hence our relationship. They ask that we provide them with some data in return. In 2013, J.U.M.P. logged 140 youth hiker days. After setting an initial goal of 200 hiker days for 2014, we recently raised the goal to 250, with a stretch goal of 300. With the summer season just under way, we've already reached 18% of our revised goal and 15% of our stretch goal. The recent addition of a couple of experienced outdoorswomen to our leadership ranks will make J.U.M.P. a more attractive program to girls. We've long wanted to expand our program by making it more coeducational, and we're moving in the right direction.

J.U.M.P. Receives $6,000 in Winter Program Support

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