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Outdoor Adventure Programs

“First Descents provided me with the foundation to break down the physical and emotional walls that cancer has been building in me. This experience was a catalyst, and just the kind of life changing force I needed.” -First Descents Participant

First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures and community support for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions, as well as frontline healthcare workers and caregivers. Click here to view our full eligibility criteria. Our goal is to get you Out Living It on a program that works for you as soon as possible. From rock climbing in the Adirondacks to whitewater kayaking the Rogue River in Oregon, there is an adventure for everyone. Our adventure programs are fully adaptive and completely free of cost. There’s no better way to start Out Living It with your new First Descents community!

Ready to join us on an adventure? Check out our upcoming programs below and then Apply Today!

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FD Community (18+)

Rock Climbing | Bend Climbing — May 16th

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Join local FD community member Andy ("X2C") for some indoor rock climbing and skill building at Bend Rock Gym. Saturday, May 16th | 10:00 AM Important Details Where: We are meeting at Bend Rock Gym. Activity: Some fun indoor climbing! Cost: $15 per person + $5 for climbing gear rental. What…

Eligibility: Open to new participants
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Caregivers

Surfing | Outer Banks, NC – Caregivers

May 17, 2026 - May 22, 2026

Registration opens February 2026 to surf the Outer Banks. The First Descents community will be notified via email. To join the FD community and receive updates when Programs are open for registration, sign up here! The Outer Banks of North Carolina are known as one of the best surfing spots…

Eligibility: Caregiver Participants, ages 18-45, serving those ages 18-45
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FD Community (18+)

Rock Climbing | Gunks Climbing – May 30th

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Join local community member Steph ("Shelby") for an awesome half day of Gunks Climbing with our friends over at Rise Outside! Saturday, May 30th | 9:00am - 1:00pm Important Details Location: Gardiner, NY Activity: Rock Climbing! Cost: $95 per person Capacity: This event is capped at 8 people, so make sure…

Eligibility: Open to new participants
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FD Community (18+)

Backpacking | Pennsylvania Backpacking- June 5th – 7th

June 5, 2026 - June 7, 2026

Join local FD community member Yvonne (“Hummingbird”) and our friend, Audrey from Deep Rooted Wellness, for an epic women's backpacking weekend in Pennsylvania! We will be backpacking through the rugged, vast beauty of the Loyalsock Trail  near Worlds End State Park! Like other Community Adventures, plus ones are welcome if…

Eligibility: Open to new participants
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FD Community (18+)

Rafting | Utah Rafting – July 17-18th

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Join community member Mary "Pando" and our friends at the National Ability Center (NAC) for a one-night adventure of rafting through Westwater Canyon in Utah. This guided outing beginning in Cisco, UT will follow a beautiful section of the Colorado River, consisting primarily of Class I -III rapids, with the…

Eligibility: Open to new participants
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FD Community (18+)

Kayaking | Sundance Kayaking Retreat – August 23rd – 27th

August 23, 2026 - August 27, 2026

Join our friends at Sundance Kayak School for a wonderful 4 day FD Alumni Whitewater Kayak Retreat on the Rogue River in Southwest Oregon. This retreat is open to anyone who has already attended a weeklong Core Program (kayaking, climbing or surfing) and is looking to continue Out Living It with…

Eligibility: Open to new participants
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