2014 Matt s Climb Scholarship Application Guidelines. Frequently Asked Questions

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1 2014 Matt s Climb Scholarship Application Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions What is the Matt s Climb Scholarship? The Matt s Climb Scholarship was established in memory of Matthew Kennedy, who graduated from Santa Cruz High School in He was killed in a snowmobile accident in February As a remembrance, his family established the Matt s Climb Scholarship at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to provide opportunities for students to experience the outdoor adventures that Matt so enjoyed. We wanted this scholarship to really be a turning point for some young person, someone who would ordinarily never be able to participate in a program like this, said Matt s grandmother, Eliza Livingston. The Matt s Climb Scholarship is a one-time award for a high school student to attend Camp Unalayee in the Trinity Alps of Northern California. What is Camp Unalayee? Camp Unalayee ( is an accredited summer backpacking and wilderness camp in the Trinity Alps for students ages Unalayee was originally founded in 1949 by the American Friends and the camp still holds peace, community and nature as high ideals. In 1960 the camp moved to its current location in Northern California, surrounded by an official wilderness area. The Unalayee program is designed to give campers ages the opportunity to explore and appreciate the beautiful wilderness setting. Some activities are restricted to ages Each session is divided between in camp and backpacking time, depending on the camper s interests. Camp Unalayee staff will meet with the Matt s Climb Scholarship awardee to help them develop their session, based on their level of experience and sense of adventure. Who is eligible for the Matt s Climb Scholarship? All freshmen, sophomores or juniors enrolled at a high school in Santa Cruz County. How do I apply? When is the deadline to apply? Complete the Matt s Climb Scholarship application form and submit it along with the requested attachments to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, DO NOT SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO CAMP UNALAYEE. You will be notified if an interview is necessary. What does the Matt s Climb Scholarship cover? The scholarship pays for up to $2,000 toward the tuition to attend Camp Unalayee. Transportation to and from the Camp Unalayee offices in Palo Alto and the actual camp location in the Trinity Alps is included in the cost of tuition. The awardee will meet with Camp Unalayee staff to determine which program is appropriate. If the awardee is interested in and appropriate for the Walkabout program, Unalayee staff and the Foundation will discuss any possible additional costs with the awardee. The recipient may also be reimbursed for up to $100 in costs for hiking boots, and rental of camping gear. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the scholarship awardee.

2 What are the criteria for selection? Please review the section below on Matt s Climb Scholarship Selection Criteria. What are the dates of Camp Unalayee? Camp session dates in 2014 are June 29-July 13, July 16-July 30, and August 2-August 16. Will I need to buy a lot of expensive equipment? No, but you will need to be responsible for preparing for your trip. Camp Unalayee has a packing list of necessary equipment at You may need to buy appropriate footwear, but other equipment can be borrowed. Who do I talk to if I have questions? If you have questions about the Matt s Climb Scholarship, contact Robin Larsen at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can her at rlarsen@cfscc.org or call Matt s Climb Scholarship Selection Criteria One scholarship for a Camp Unalayee wilderness trip will be awarded each year. All applications will be screened by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County scholarship committee. Final award recommendations will be approved by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. 1. Applicant can be a freshman, sophomore, or junior at a high school in Santa Cruz County at the time of their application. 2. Priority will be given to applicants who could not otherwise afford such an experience. Parents/Guardian will be asked to submit financial information demonstrating financial need. 3. Priority will be given to applicants who can clearly describe why this experience is important to them, including how it will impact their lives in a meaningful way. 4. Applicant must be in good physical condition. 5. The parent or guardian must agree to attend a meeting with the student and a Camp Unalayee staff member to develop an appropriate session experience. 6. The parent or guardian must agree to be responsible for responsibility for equipping the student for the trip and transporting the student to and from the Camp Unalayee bus pick-up/drop off location in Palo Alto.

3 2014 Matt s Climb Scholarship Instructions and Application Form DEADLINE: 5:00p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2014 Instructions Step 1. Read the selection criteria for the Matts Climb Scholarship and discuss your intention to apply for the Matt s Climb scholarship with your parent or guardian. Step 2. Read the program descriptions on the Camp Unalayee web site ( Check that session dates will work with your summer schedule. Step 3: Complete the application form below. Step 4. Write a 1-2 page essay covering the following questions. Please use a separate sheet(s). Your essay need not be typed, but please be sure that it is legible. Why do you want to attend a wilderness camp? How might this experience make a difference in your life? What other activities are you involved in outside of school (such as work, sports, hobbies, family obligations, clubs, etc.)? What do you plan to do after you graduate from high school? What other outdoor experiences have you had? Is there anything else about your life or your personality that you think might be helpful in evaluating your application? Step 5: Ask your parent or guardian to write a short essay about how he/she feels this trip would make a difference in your life. Include this with your application. Step 6: Submit a copy of your parent or guardian s financial statement and/or most recent tax returns with your application. Step 7: Read and sign the Statement of Understanding. Step 8: Make a copy for yourself and submit the application packet to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County by the deadline listed at the top of the page. You may mail or drop off your application to or a PDF of the application packet to rlarsen@cfscc.org please call ahead to if ing.

4 2014 Matt s Climb Scholarship Application Form Applicant Name Social Security # Birth Date Address City Home Phone Cell Phone 1. What grade are you currently in? 2. Which school do you currently attend? 3. After reviewing the Camp Unalayee web site ( what do you think you would like best about Camp Unalayee? 4. Which Camp Unalayee Sessions are you interested in? (check all that apply): June 29-July 13 July August 2-August What length backpacking trip are you interested in? (check all that apply): 3 day Tribe Hike 4 day Choice Hike 30 day (Walkabout) 10 day (Hiking Tribe or Wild Tribe) 6. How did you hear about the Matt s climb Scholarship? Name of Parent/Guardian Relationship Occupation Employer Cell Phone

5 Matt s Climb Scholarship Statement of Understanding I,, a student of, submit this application for a Matt s Climb Scholarship to attend Camp Unalayee for a wilderness experience in Summer I understand that this scholarship will be awarded to a student with a demonstrated desire in such a trip, but who, without this scholarship, would be unable to participate. I understand that I will be responsible for tuition costs that exceed $2,000. I understand that I will be responsible for costs related to equipping myself for this trip. I understand that I can be reimbursed for up to $100 for these costs upon presenting receipts to the Community Foundation. I agree that upon my return from this trip, I will make myself available to speak to student groups about the trip and the impact it had on my life. Further, upon completion of my trip, I agree to write a trip report for the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. I understand that this report may be used for outreach purposes and also for improving the program. My parent or guardian is supportive of my application for this scholarship, and supports my desire to make this trip and will assist me in preparing for the trip. Signed, Applicant Signed, Parent or Guardian Dated Check List: I have enclosed the following in this application packet: A completed Matt s Climb Application Form A one page essay covering the requested topics A brief essay from my parent or guardian regarding my application My parent s or guardian s financial statement and/or most recent tax returns A signed Statement of Understanding Submit application packets to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County (you may also a PDF to rlarsen@cfscc.org please call ahead if ing!) no later than 5:00 p.m., April 3, Questions? Contact Robin Larsen, rlarsen@cfscc.org or (831)