Phone: 303.945.2490 Fax: 866.592.6911 Email: [email protected]
621 Kalamath St. Ste 175, Denver, CO 80204
We’re celebrating the third annual Out Living It Day on Saturday, July 26! This special day of Out Living It celebrates our belief in the ongoing healing power of adventure and connecting with community.
Celebrate Out Living It Day with us on Saturday, July 26, by joining a Community Adventure near you!
JOIN US FOR A 2025 HEALING ADVENTURE!
Meet Shea “Pickle Rick” Curtis, our Finance and Operations Coordinator at our headquarters in Denver! Originally from Loveland, Colorado — just an hour north of our Denver office — Pickle Rick developed a love for the outdoors through years of camping and hiking in the mountains, which led her to...
Szu Yu “Switchblade” Huang knows firsthand what it's like to face cancer, both as a patient and a caregiver. She spent six months caring for her mother during her cancer treatment, and after undergoing precautionary early screening, she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. At...
Choosing a gift that keeps on giving is one of the most meaningful ways to increase its impact. At First Descents, we’re grateful to partner with brands and creators who share our mission to provide the healing power of adventure for young adults dealing with cancer and MS through Core...
Meet Chef Diana “Dirty” Cornell, from the East Coast! After being diagnosed with MS at age 25, this graduate from the National Gourmet Institute, and owner of a pie company called This Pie is Nuts found that her past roads led her to First Descents. Chef Dirty has been on...
Lydia "Regal Tang" Comart was working for an outfitter partner in a guiding and administrative role when she was first introduced to First Descents. While her role in the partnership was purely behind-the-scenes, her interactions with First Descents left a big impression and she always knew she wanted to experience...
“I haven’t had any other type of experience that has changed me so much in such a short time. I entered my FD trip unsure, nervous and worried — but five days later, I walked away a different person. Someone who was more self-assured. Someone who was kinder to herself....
Butternut Squash and Green Curry Soup with Crunchy Peanut Topping By Chef Bridget “Birdsh*t” O'Boyle Running out of time to decide what to bring to your Thanksgiving feast? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a last minute Thanksgiving recipe! Chef Birdsh*t’s creamy, spicy, smooth butternut squash soup is the...
Meet Jason “Vista” Prezant, a lead staffer since 2022. At 16, Vista was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, coincidentally the same year that First Descents was founded. But, it wasn't until 15 years later that Vista discovered the magic when he attended a weeklong surfing program in 2017. Today, he joins...
Happy Halloween! Today, we’re sharing a fun recipe that’s sure to be a hit at all your Halloween festivities: spooktacular ghost meringues! Created by FD Chef Diana "Dirty" Cornell, who has been certified by the National Gourmet Institute, these meringues have few ingredients and are easy to make. If you’re...
As a young adult cancer survivor herself, FD alumna Kym "Otter" Sinclair keeps coming back to volunteer on FD programs to pay it forward to other young adults. Over the years, Otter has joined programs in Santa Cruz, Moab and Hood River as a medical volunteer. She has a special...
Joining Forces First Descents is honored to partner with the nonprofit organization Brooklyn to Alaska (BK2AK) to strengthen program delivery and enroll the unique perspectives of their guides. The benefits of this partnership are substantial and mutual: BK2AK leaders join as paid interns to learn leadership skills and confidence with...