Participant FAQ

Oncology and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Participants must have been diagnosed between the ages of 15 to 39. All participants (Oncology, MS, Healthcare Workers, and Oncology/MS Caregivers) must currently be between the ages of 18-45.

First Descents Program offerings include Core Programs and Community Adventures. Core Programs are limited to folks who have not yet attended one, and live in the United States or Canada. Community Adventures are experiences created and facilitated by FD alumni and members of the FD community which are open to anyone in the FD community, including friends and family (18+).

Caregiver Program Applicants must have cared for an individual who qualifies for our Core Programs (young adults impacted by MS or Cancer between the ages of 18-45). Eligible individuals may only have ONE caregiver apply for our Core Programs.

Our goal is to have you embrace outdoor adventure and supportive relationships as part of your healing. Due to an overwhelming interest in FD-facilitated Core Programs and the current operating environment, we can offer one free-of-cost Core Program per Participant. If you have already benefited from an FD Core Program, please help us extend the healing power of adventure to another community member.

As an FD alum (as well as prior to attending a Core Program), you can adventure with your peers through Community Adventures. They are experiences planned and led by local FD community members and a great way to connect with the FD Family near you. You can check out the Community Adventures webpage here: https://firstdescents.org/community-adventures/

FD aims to limit group size to 10-15 individuals, not including staff and volunteers.

In furtherance of First Descents’ (FD) commitment to health and safety, FD strongly recommends that all Parties (e.g., Participants, Visitors, Volunteers and Partners) at an FD Core Program are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Please adhere to CDC’s COVID-19 vaccination definitions (e.g., “fully vaccinated” and “up to date”) and recommendations for immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised persons. Please note that CDC’s vaccination recommendations may change as COVID-19 data evolves.

You can learn more about FD’s vaccination policy at
https://firstdescents.org/vaccination-policy/.

Yes. FD requires all Participants to provide their health insurance information to attend a Core Program.

*If you do not have insurance, we strongly encourage you to obtain it. FD understands the reality of financial toxicity, but insurance is essential to ensure your quality of life and access to medical care. FD wants to support you with information to obtain affordable healthcare and recommends the following resources:

Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit organization that provides free education on the legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources. https://triagecancer.org/

Patient Advocacy Foundation provides direct services to patients with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating diseases to help access care and treatment recommended by their doctors. https://www.patientadvocate.org/

Every applicant will be required to complete a general medical questionnaire (consisting of background medical questions) and adhere to FD’s vaccination and screening policies and practices. Please note that applicants with an underlying medical condition must obtain a Medical Provider Release Form to be accepted.

We ask that you do not attend any FD activity, including a Core Program, if you are not feeling well (e.g., COVID-like symptoms, the flu, common cold, etc.). If this is the case, FD will find another Core Program for you. You will not be admitted to a Core Program or any other FD activity if you are sick.

FD reserves the right to require masks, social distancing, testing, quarantining, and any health measures as needed. Willingness to comply with FD’s health measures is a condition for program participation.

On the program, FD works closely with our outfitters to understand the Emergency Response Plan in place for each day. We prepare these plans to make the program as safe as possible.

You can learn more about FD’s vaccination and health safety policy at https://firstdescents.org/vaccination-policy/.

All FD Core Programs are "challenge by choice," and designed for beginners. FD staff and partners are experienced professionals who have worked in this space for many years with people from all walks of life. Most Participants have never climbed or paddled before, so the majority of people are starting at the same level of experience. Everyone is nervous, and everyone is wondering what to expect. You're not alone!

A FD Core Program is about you and supports you to feel safe, connected, and adventurous. The staff will be with you every step of the way. All you have to do is show up, be you, and have fun. A FD Core Program is a new experience on a lot of levels, but do it, it will change your life. We promise!

There is always a risk when adventuring outdoors, but FD has strong policies and procedures in place to mitigate and manage risk as much as possible. FD Staff and partners are experienced in the outdoors and group management, trained in their particular disciplines, and 100% committed to your safety. No one will be forced to do anything they do not feel comfortable doing. Participant safety is FD's #1 priority.

Additionally, on a majority of programs, there is a Medical Volunteer, who has at least an EMT certification and is there to provide general support and basic first aid if needed. If you're still concerned, please reach out to our Programs Team who will be happy to discuss this further with you.

You will meet people from all walks of life, and based on the past experiences of FD Participants, they will likely become longtime friends — or even an extension of your family!

One Alumnus shared: "The people I met [at FD] were some of the best people I've ever encountered in my life. They are like a second family. Seriously, we are so close and we communicate with each other all the time. They are some of the first people I tell about my doctor visits and successes in my life."

Yes, you can do it! Our Core Programs are for folks of all shapes and sizes, and there will be people with different levels of ability, health, fitness, comfortability, and experience at each Core Program. We are here to support you and help you have the best experience possible!

Start by checking out our Adaptability Guide (firstdescents.org/program-adaptability-guide/) and reach out to [email protected] so that we can find the best program for you.

You do not need to buy all of the stuff on the list. In fact, most folks won’t have all of it on hand. FD’s program partners will provide the equipment essentials (e.g,. paddles, boats, harnesses, climbing shoes, etc.) The packing list is a suggestion.

If you can just match up the best possible options from what you already have in your closet, that is all you need. Headquarters staff can help you figure out anything you need beyond that, and we will do so discreetly.

That is entirely up to you, but it often does come up naturally as people tend to get to know one another and feel more comfortable sharing aspects of their life. "Challenge by choice" refers to both the activities and your personal life, and no one will ask you to share anything you don't want to share.

As one FD alum put it, “Sometimes we talk about our experiences, treatments, and the impact on our family and friends, etc. We all have an unwritten common bond, and many times things just go unsaid but are understood. That’s because there is a common understanding and knowing, because we have all been through a similar experience. We spend much of our time just getting to know each other and really enjoying the challenge and new experience on so many levels. When you are around people that have gone through a similar lived experience, you naturally feel open. Your guard just drops ... We are just ourselves, and there is a lot of freedom in that.”

Please note that First Descents programs provide psychosocial supportive care through outdoor adventure and community connection in a non-clinical setting. As a result, participants may share their personal and collective stories and experiences, which can be emotionally charged at times. Please be aware that FD staff receive basic training in mental health and group facilitation but are not trained mental health professionals. If you're uncertain if this is the right program for you please have a conversation with your medical and mental health provider(s) to make the best determination.

FD Core Programs are an opportunity to take a break from technology and everyday life stressors to connect with yourself and others in an intentional and meaningful way. When else do we get the opportunity to do that?

An FD Core Program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we promise, you’ll want to be present for it. We ask that you leave your technology (e.g., phones and computers) out of the common areas at the lodge. You will still be able to stay in touch with family and friends as needed. Cell service may be limited, but most lodges have access to WiFi.

First Descents is dedicated to and passionate about providing healthy meals and nutrition education at our Core Programs. We believe in the healing properties of food and the benefits that can be gained from sharing amazing meals. There are professionally trained chefs at every program ready to prepare fresh, nutritious and delicious meals for you!

You can learn more about FD’s Program Nutrition mission at firstdescents.org/programs/program-nutrition/.

FD Core Programs are drug- and alcohol-free. We feel that these experiences are fun enough without the need for additional substances.

Our Core Programs are designed to inspire and challenge. For the majority of our participants, that starts with leaving their typical support system at home. We encourage you to attend an FD Core Program on your own. Given the nature of some of our Core Programs (e.g., Healthcare Worker programs), some folks may end up attending a program with a colleague or family member in the same respective field, which is fine in these one-off circumstances.

However, generally, we encourage you to try this out on your own. It helps create a space for connection and from our experience, it means a more impactful program experience for you.

Pets are not allowed at our Core Programs. This includes the use of Emotional Support Animals. The ONLY exception is Guide Dogs (seeing-eye dogs) for blind participants.

This situation must have been pre-approved with the Programs team.

Finding ADA-compliant lodges to accommodate the groups of our sizes can be challenging. We do our best to find suitable lodging, including comfortable bathrooms and sleeping arrangements. It is possible that lodges will include stairs, shared bathrooms, and/or bunk beds.

If you’re concerned about this, please discuss your needs and limitations with the Programs Team, and we will work to find a program lodge that best suits your needs.

Given the size of our groups, the majority of people will share rooms at Core Programs. There may be individual rooms available at some locations. If you have a specific concern about sharing a room with another person, please reach out to a member of the Programs Team.

Prolonged exposure to the sun and/or changing temperatures may be expected on FD Core Programs. It’s important that you share your concerns and medically related symptoms with FD on your application so that we can work with you to mitigate and manage them as much as possible.

For example, FD can provide cooling devices (such as a cooling vest) or shade apparatuses as needed. If this is something you would benefit from, please communicate this to a member of the Programs Team so we can make it happen for you!

FD will do its best to accommodate applicants with a history of seizures, epilepsy and/or syncope. We encourage you to discuss the appropriateness, risks and benefits of your participation with your physician.

Generally, participants who have experienced seizures will be placed on a Core Program that is not water-based. FD will happily answer questions that you or your physician may have related to seizure response and management.

Generally, FD does not accept applicants undergoing anticoagulation therapy (blood thinner) at the time of their Core Program.

Several options are available for those on short‐term anticoagulation therapy such as: delaying attendance until the anticoagulation therapy is complete or stopping anticoagulation therapy prior to the program In rare circumstances. Applicants in long‐term anticoagulation therapy may be accepted at a particular program if approved by their physician and a member of the FD Medical Review Team, typically the Medical Director.

Please discuss your options and the risks and benefits of your attendance with your physician in advance of a program.

Our goal is to get you out on a Core Program when the time is right for you. Ultimately, you know your body best. FD Core Programs are “challenge by choice,” meaning you get to decide on your own without any pressure.

This means if you need to rest and take a break, cool! If you want to try another climbing route or another wave, awesome! You can push yourself as much or as little as you want and do what feels right to you, and our staff and volunteer team will be there to help guide you.

We recognize that everybody and every body is different! We work with each person individually to understand their needs and to make adjustments as needed. Connect with the Programs Team so we can better understand your needs and we can work to find the right Core Program option for you.

At this time, First Descents' Core Programs are offered only in English. Although we do not have Spanish-based programming, we aim to serve a diverse community and create an inclusive environment on all Core Programs.

FD Core Programs are free of cost, including lodging, instruction, equipment and food. Participants are asked to cover their own travel to and from the program; however, Travel Scholarships are available to those demonstrating financial need and motivation.