I have been involved with First Descents since 2004. I have known the founder Brad Ludden since 2001...I can tell you all from personal experience that you will not find a more committed group of people than those behind the wheel at First Descents. Spend one day in their company and you will be infused with the inspiration that they pass on to young adult with cancer and cancer survivors on a daily basis at these camps. I have spoken with dozens of cancer survivors that have attended these camps, and they all say the same thing: "one of the best experiences of my life" Brad, Chuck, Jinny, and the whole FD crew in Colorado are a personal inspiration to me as well to keep giving back and helping people in need. Join this cause, and you will feel like a new, better person...I promise you. Terry L., Montana
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- EIN 81-0539964
- info@firstdescents.org
- (303) 945-2490
- 3858 Walnut Street Suite 161 Denver CO 80205 USA
- www.firstdescents.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Camps, Health, Health Support, Sports
Mission: First Descents (FD) provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18 to 39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, First Descents is a leader in adventure-based healing. During its 20-year history, FD has served nearly 10,000 young adult survivors at over 1,000 programs nationwide to provide ongoing psychosocial supportive care. Furthermore, FD has established relationships with more than 450 medical centers to effectively reach patients closer to the time of diagnosis. Beginning in 2020, First Descents expanded programming to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. While these free trauma relief programs were designed to address the immediate community needs of the ongoing pandemic, FD’s Board of Directors have approved these offerings to remain a long term service of the organization. Recognized for its commitment to operational excellence and overall impact, FD is a Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit and was honored as a CNN Hero in 2016.
Results: First Descents has participated in two externally led, quantitative research studies conducted by leading clinical psychologists at Stanford and the University of Michigan’s Curtis School for Social Work. The published impact study findings revealed a decrease in overall psychosocial distress as measured by episodes of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in program participants. Participants reported heightened and sustained resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy, as well as improved body image and self-compassion. Reports also included greater practices of ongoing healthy habits including outdoor skills development, mindfulness, and nutrition. These findings are published in the Psychosocial Oncology and the Supportive Care in Cancer Journals, validating the efficacy and long term health outcomes of FD’s program model. Beginning in 2021, First Descents will collaborate with researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research the effectiveness of HERO RECHARGE. The study will measure FD's impact on specific phenomena affecting health care workers and first responders, including stress, burnout, resilience, and well-being.
Target demographics: young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions
Direct beneficiaries per year: 178 healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. In 2019, First Descents provided over 1,750 unique outdoor experiences across 173 programs Nationwide.
Geographic areas served: over 10 key geographies Nationwide
Programs: life-changing outdoor adventures to promote ongoing healing, peer support, and healthy skills development.