​Thanks to recent fundraising successes, Mountain Wisdom is ready to take a new step in supporting our alumni beyond camp. We’re pleased to introduce the Mountain Wisdom Pathfinders Scholarship Program, which offers financial support to former campers and current staff who are continuing their education or training.

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This program gives scholarships to past participants to help with college, technical school, training camps or professional certifications. It supports our mission by helping campers grow into capable and purpose-driven citizens, while also showing the long-term value of the Mountain Wisdom experience.

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Program Summary

• Name: Mountain Wisdom Pathfinders Scholarship Program

• Number of Scholarships: 4 in 2025, 10 per year thereafter

• Amount per Scholarship: $500 to $1,000 ($1,500 total for 2025)

• Who Can Apply: Camp alumni (2025), Camp alumni & staff thereafter

• Use of Funds: College, trade school, training camps, or certification-related expenses

• Payout: Sent to the school or program directly when possible

• Application: Includes a personal essay and basic information

• Selection: Based on the essay, financial need, and fit with Mountain Wisdom values

• Follow-up: Recipients will check in with us after receiving the award, may reapply

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Eligibility

To apply, a person must:

• Have attended Mountain Wisdom Camp as a participant or staff

• Be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an education or training program

• Be in good standing with Mountain Wisdom

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Past winners may apply again, as long as they still meet the requirements. However, no one is guaranteed a second scholarship, and we may give preference to new applicants.

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Application Process

• A short form with basic contact and enrollment info

• A personal essay (around 500-1000 words)

• An optional financial need statement

• Proof of enrollment or acceptance

• One reference contact (not a full letter)

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The essay should describe what camp meant to them, what they learned, and how it connects to their education or career goals.

We will accept applications by email or through a form on our website.

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Selection Process

A small scholarship committee (3 to 5 people) will review applications each year. The committee may include board members, staff, or volunteers who are not connected to any applicants.

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Essays and other materials may be anonymized before review. The committee will choose 10 recipients and possibly 1 or 2 alternates.

We will consider the following:

• Personal impact: How well the applicant explains what they gained from camp

• Goals: Whether they have clear educational or career goals

• Mountain Wisdom values: Leadership, integrity, personal growth, and community

• Financial need: Based on the optional statement

• Effort: Completeness and quality of the application

• Community impact: How the community will benefit from their education

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Winners will be notified privately. We will also share a public announcement (with permission) through our usual channels.

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Award and Use of Funds

We will send funds directly to the school or program whenever possible. If that is not an option, we will reimburse the recipient after getting proof of payment. The money must be used for school-related costs like tuition, fees, books, or required tools and supplies.

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If a recipient's plans change and they can no longer use the scholarship, we may award the funds to an alternate or roll them into next year’s program.

Each award is for one year. Students can apply again in future years, but they will go through the full application process again.

Follow-Up and Impact

Each recipient will be asked to check in with us once or twice during the year. This helps us stay connected and track the program’s success.

With permission, we may use parts of their essays or follow-up stories (anonymized if needed) to show donors and the community how Mountain Wisdom is making a difference. These stories will also be used to inspire current and future campers.

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We also hope this program will help strengthen our alumni community and keep former campers engaged. Some recipients may be invited to volunteer or speak about their experiences at events.