I was the recipient of a Flyin Ryan Scholarship that allowed me to take my AIARE 2 avalanche education course. This was critical to my success on a year long backcountry skiing project. The whole organization is amazing and even after the scholarship continues to support my outdoors endeavors. Can't speak highly enough of everyone involved.
Six years ago, two friends referred me to Peter Hawks, who was looking for a little help with his technology needs. Peter, his family and a small cadre of like minded people were building the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation to honor Ryan Hawks and to celebrate the memory and influence of a unique and widely loved adventurous young athlete.
As I began this journey, I thought it would give me a little extra income and keep me busy in my semi-retirement. That is only a small portion of what my relationship with this organization and the people associated with it has given me.
During the past six years, the Foundation has become much more than part-time contract work. As I learned more about the Foundation and the good work they were doing, I became an advocate of their approach to helping people learn about who they really are, and how they can illuminate and utilize their self-determined set of Core Values to make better decisions, reduce risk, and pursue a values-based life.
The Foundation puts their small endowment to work, awarding Adventure Scholarships to young athletes, adventurers and others to help them achieve their dreams in the face of financial constraints. A part of that process is a commitment from the applicants to explore and develop a personally generated set of Core Values to define and guide them, to take ownership of who they are and what they believe deep down. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, in many cases.
The Foundation's Decisions for Education Program has been utilized in a number of Vermont schools, where a critical component of state mandated Personalized Learning Plans is self-knowledge. The Decisions Program has had significant impact on thousands of students, as reported by the students themselves, and backed up with testimonials from peers, teachers, families and coaches.
I list myself here as a donor, and I also disclose that I am a part-time contractor (not an employee), a volunteer, and one who has become an avid supporter and advocate for the Foundation's work.
Implementing the Decisions Program will not only help the youth find their identity, but change the culture of a school. I love the work Flyin Ryan does!
Proud to be involved with an organization that is dedicated to inspiring teens and young adults to establish individual core values to steer and guide their personal growth thru adventure and contribution to community.
The Flying Ryan Foundation encourages kids of all ages to be themselves and follow their dreams. I think organizations like Flying Ryan are what keeps kids inspired to do more not only for themselves but for others. I am so lucky to be able to see all the great work this foundation does. As an alumnus of Saint Mikes in Burlington Vermont you can see the impacts this amazing foundation has across not only Burlington but the country.
I stumbled upon the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation three years ago and was right away moved at how powerful of an organization it is. Ryan's core values exemplify a life everyone should strive to lead; a life that doesn't take any day for granted and portrays kindness. This organization has taken those core values and has given people the opportunity to adventure as much as Ryan did. While given that opportunity, they in turn live out the caring, free spirited life Ryan lived. I love this organization and the growing Flyin Ryan family!
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I stumbled upon the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation last spring and was right away moved at how powerful of an organization it is. Ryan's core values exemplify a life everyone should strive to lead; a life that doesn't take any day for granted and portrays kindness. This organization has taken those core values and has given people the opportunity to adventure as much as Ryan did. While given that opportunity, they in turn live out the caring, free spirited life Ryan lived. The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation has made people step back and question their core values. They have changed people's lives through adventure and values.
The Flyin Ryan Foundation is dedicated to developing thoughtful, reflective young (and old) people. What could be better than that? Make sure to take the time to check them out!
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The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is committed to inspiring people to name their core values, to share their core values with others, and, ultimately, to live a deliberate life based on those core values. By sharing Ryan's story, the Foundation has had an impact on literally thousands of lives in the state of Vermont by way of the Decisions Program for Education. That effort continues to grow through a partnership with VSAC and schools around the state.
Flyin Ryan actively works to help improve the lives of their community and the members within. Their adventure scholarship program is amazing and helps so many people do such cool things.
A foundation that not only honors the passing of a wonderful human, but also inspires others to evaluate and act on their own core values, making the world a better place, one person at a time.
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The Flyin Ryan is a fabulous organization that truly helps people figure out their Core Principles for living enabling them to make better decisions in life. The Adventure Scholarships that they award in honor of Ryan Hawks make a meaningful difference for people pursuing unique goals and passions. I have been personally inspired by all the stories I have heard from people touched by this organization.
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The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation has done a phenomenal job living its mission to help make the world a better place one person, one day, one event, one core value and one decision at a time. They are present in local events throughout the community and work endlessly to inspire people of all ages, particularly those in schools to write and develop their own core values- something that really matters in this day in age when people have access to so much information. The Adventure Scholarships they have awarded over the course of the last 7 years have allowed people to pursue their dreams big and small. I am honored to work with the Foundation.
Flyin Ryan is a spirited, generous organization with a heart of gold, giving out Adventure Scholarships as well as providing Decisions Program (AKA Core Values) education to students and athletes. I wholeheartedly support the work they do.
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I have personally experienced the impact of the work Flyin Ryan is doing in local and even international communities through the Decisions Program and Adventure Scholarship Program. So far just in 2019 nine individuals have been awarded scholarships to help support them as they pursue their incredible aspirations - from competing in world class ski competitions to climbing mountains in a wheelchair to performing much needed water testing by kayak. The stories we hear are inspiring and touching. Likewise the feedback we receive from students, athletes and coaches who complete the Decisions - otherwise known as "Core Values" - program. These individuals come out of the program with a greater sense of self, character and personal life direction. I wish I had been challenged to this exercise when I was their age! At the center of the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is a heart of gold and I feel honored to work with such motivated and selfless people.
As a small business partner of the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation, we can't say enough about their mission and everything they do to empower self discovery, as well as providing scholarship opportunities to adventurers and impacting school curriculum in Vermont. We had the fortunate opportunity to know Ryan who was a personal friend and ski buddy of our Ski The East crew, and seeing his values passed on to create real change in others is super inspiring to anyone lucky enough to learn about the FRH Foundation. Onward and upward!
My brothers and I were fortunate enough to win one of the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation grants and it has helped us progress our skiing immensely.
I have worked with this organization for year. Peter and the whole crew carries on the legacy, and values that fuel quality individuals for a promising future. What an organization!
An excellent cause based on core values. Amazing programmes that help kids and athletes become educated in decision making and being more aware of the positive steps they take in life to reach success. Not enough programmes encourage people to really focus on their core values and what they want to achieve out of something. This does exactly that. An excellent foundation and great to see all these amazing kids come out of the programme.
Flyin Ryan facilitated a powerful workshop on Core Values that deepened our work on youth leadership development. The Core Values workshop came midway through a two day immersion program involving young people and their adult partners who were setting out to make a positive impact on their school communities.
I was introduced to the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation about 6 years ago. In that time I have seen a steady growth in the organization's reach and scope. The work they are doing is clearly exceptional. The Decisions Program has been introducing hundreds, if not thousands, of Vermont youth to the principles of looking within oneself to connect with one's Core Values which in turn inform the decisions one makes in life, both big and small. The Adventure Scholar Program continues to be a great success across the country. The vitality that Peter Hawks, the founder, pours into the organization is endless along with the guidance of a solid Board to help him out. With a strong and well managed financial footing we can only expect more great things to come out of the foundation dedicated to the principles of the way Ryan conducted his life.
We’ve been working with the Flyin Ryan Foundation since 2015. The core values that Peter and the foundation promote have inspired our organization and provided a strong foundation for a meaningful partnership.
Peter’s passion and energy is unrivaled. He lives every day with an unmatched spirit and curiosity that inspires individuals and their pursuit of a balanced, healthy and adventure-filled lifestyle.
Ryan’s spirit lives on through Peter’s tireless efforts. We’ve been fortunate to contribute to the Adventure Scholarship program that the foundation offers, which allows individuals to follow their passions and realize their goals with support from the organization.
In Vermont, the Flyin Ryan Foundation’s work produces meaningful results that embody the kind-hearted, genuine spirit of our state.
In this crazy world we live in,I have supported the Flyin Ryan Foundation every year! It is so great to hear positive news. I also have a 25 year old who made some not so great choices,then turned it around. Some of that was due to core values that Foundation stands by. In this day and age with folks getting hooked on drugs,supporting these values and outdoor exploration is where it should be!!!!!
Mad River Glen is a ski area that Ryan Hawks' family knows well and appreciates as they lived in our "neighborhood". When Ryan passed his memorial was held on top of our mountain. Clearly this family and the foundation it spawned is near and dear to us here at Mad River Glen.
Since it's founding Flyin' Ryan has funded scholarships for various youth ski programs that enabled access to many young people who never would have had the opportunity to participate in these kinds of programs. S\I have seen first hand how several of our scholarship recipients had life changing experiences and opportunities present themselves directly because of Flyin' Ryans impact.
What I appreciate most about the foundation is that it has remained grounded and humble and always comes complete with a very personal connection. I know that the vast majority of the funding goes directly to fund great projects designed to encourage young people to make positive decision making. very little goes to administration and fluff.
We are and always will be huge supporters of the Flyin' Ryan Foundation and we strongly encourage others to support this unique organization.
Eric Friedman
Mad River Glen - Vermont
In 2014 the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation (FRF) developed the Decisions Program for Athletes, aimed specifically at teaching Big Mountain Freeride ski and snowboard athletes to manage risk and make better decisions that are grounded in their core values. This program has been extremely well received by junior and adult athletes and coaches, so much so that it has been added to the coaching certification curriculum of the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association. As an IFSA certified coach and program director, I can say that the FRF is having a strong positive and meaningful impact on our sport.
The spirit of Ryan Hawks continues to be a current event. The foundation serves as his messenger to spread the word that: core values matter. The signature program, Flyin Ryan Decisions Program, is currently being introduced to Vermont schools as part of the personal Learning Plan initiative which is centered around the idea of flexible pathways to education and recognition that students who have had the opportunity to identify who they are and what is important to them are far more likely to succeed in postsecondary years. Students and athletes are now composing their own set of core values (as did Ryan) to serve as the basis for their future attitude, decision-making, and behavior.
We have had the privilege of awarding over 120 adventure scholarships in order to facilitate the dreams of applicants who are driven by passion, financial need, and character.
As Ryan Hawks mother, I want to say how proud I feel to be part of the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation. Through this foundation many passionate, adventurous people have been given an opportunity to pursue their dreams. Ryan loved loved life, people, animals, sports, and adventures of any kind. Helping someone to pursue their passion really warms my heart and connects me to Ryan. Life can be so tough, the foundation can help lighten up the load.
I received a scholarship from Flyin Ryan Hawks to get more avalanche education and he has made me much more safe in the backcountry. They also connected me with a network of young outdoorsmen and women full of inspiring individuals.
Flyin Ryan has made such a positive impact on my life and who I am today. The Hawks Foundation turned one of my biggest dreams into a reality. My experience as a ski racer with MRSC enabled me to grow as a friend, daughter, sister and athlete. I´m so thankful for everything you have done for me. Thank you!
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation brings me such joy knowing they dedicate their work to finding individuals that have a burning spirit of Adventure and compassion. They have awarded me in order for me to pursue my adventurous goals and to continue my education. Before I was even finished with my application, I had recommended the foundation to 3 of my other friends. I will continue to tag them in my adventures!
larryl 11/20/2017
Thanks, Jacob! Much appreciated!
Flyin Ryan helped me be able to take an Avy 2 class last winter and they couldn't have been more helpful! After having a ton of friends get scholarships through them to pursue their outdoor pursuits, I applied as well and I'm so glad I did. They're the freaking best, and I could not have gotten the certification without them!
larryl 11/20/2017
Thanks, Andie! Much appreciated!
The Flyin' Ryan Foundation was fantastic to work with. They helped send me to British Columbia to make a short film about a family that operates a backcountry guiding service in the Purcell Mountains. I got to meet amazing people along the way and ski some incredible snow. I couldn't have afforded to undertake this project without the help of the Adventure Scholar Grant. They made it easy to apply and were genuinely excited to help me fulfill reach my goal. They've stayed in touch with me since I got back and it's great to still be part of such a close community.
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is an incredible foundation and support from them made my year long road trip to all of the national parks in the lower 48 states possible. They are an incredible group of people dedicated to making the outdoors and adventure as a whole accessible to everyone. They ROCK!
larryl 11/20/2017
Thanks, Julian! Much appreciated!
Support from Flyin Ryan Hawks foundation has given athletes such as me a chance to follow their dream. What inspired me to apply for a Fyin Ryan scholarship was all the stories from the people who have benefitted from a scholarship by the Flyin Ryan Foundation. You have in fact spread joy to me and every athlete you have helped fallow their dreams. I used my scholarship to help pay for the diamond dog's program at Sugarbush Mount Ellen. There, I learned park skiing - throwing big air and learning tricks that I have always wanted to do.
This winter, I am attending at Green Mountain Vally School In Fayston Vermont to fallow my dream of being a ski racer.
Thank you for your support! You have helped inspire me to dream big.
-Hazel Harris, Mad River Vally
larryl 11/20/2017
Thanks, Hazel! Love the pics you posted.
Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation has given so many young athletes the inspiration and support to follow their dreams. The influence of the many volunteers and supporters is felt in our community, our state and in so many places around the world. Spreading joy...growing...and changing lives. Keep up the great work.
larryl 11/20/2017
Thanks, Jennifer! We appreciate it.
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is doing awesome things for all the right reasons.
These are interesting times we are living in. Children are bombarded daily with information and distractions. The Core Values and Decisions Programs are a great tool to provide today's youth with a rock solid foundation. A foundation that will assist in navigating life's obstacles.
larryl 03/16/2017
Thanks, Patrick!
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larryl 11/20/2017 Thanks, Aaron! We appreciate it!