Untitled - Grand Canyon Youth

Our Mission
G
rand Canyon Youth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Flagstaff, Arizona.
We provide youth, ages 11-19, an experiential education along the rivers and in the canyons
of the Southwest in an effort to promote personal growth, environmental awareness, community
involvement, and teamwork among people of diverse backgrounds.
From the President of the Board of Directors
Dear Friends,
2014 was an incredible year for Grand Canyon Youth! Through time on the river, young people from diverse
backgrounds can discover so many things: a new talent, new friendships, a love of science and the great
outdoors! In my tenure on the Board, I’ve seen countless examples of time on the river creating positive
impact for young people. We have dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers who help us to rediscover
our mission with every trip we run. It’s my pleasure to share with you our accomplishments over the past
12 months.
Sincerely,
Robert Faus, President
“Connecting with nature is more important to me now. Even
though the Canyon is far away, I now see all nature as
connected in some way, and I am able to better
understand my role in it.”
–Sarah, GCY Participant
Discover What Sets GCY Apart
All Youth Can Benefit
Grand Canyon Youth (GCY) believes that everyone can benefit from time on the river - connecting in an
authentic way with the natural world. We serve youth from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural
backgrounds. We build relationships that support our commitment to serving diverse youth.
We Believe in the Power of Youth
Youth are involved in every aspect of GCY programs! They help plan the educational aspect of their
program and complete meaningful community service projects. On the river they paddle, cook, and
collect scientific data. We believe that by engaging youth in the process we create a sense of ownership
amongst our participants that translates into a more lasting commitment to the natural world and their
community.
Sharing the Cost
Our pricing model is designed to keep fees for our programs as affordable as possible to meet our goal
of reaching the greatest diversity of participants. True to our organizational values, everyone contributes
financially to get the programs on the water. Youth earn a portion of the cost, parents chip-in, and GCY
raises over 54% of the program cost. In 2014, GCY provided over $37,000 in aid to youth with financial
need. We believe program price should not be a barrier to participation.
Nurturing Discovery
The GCY Way
We are a mission driven organization dedicated to fostering a sense of curiosity about the natural world,
personal potential, and the value of community. Our goal is to extend this philosophy to every aspect of
our organizational culture, whether that’s guide training, developing a new program, nurturing a new
collaboration or ensuring that we have the highest quality program possible.
Commitment to Collaboration
We foster a sense of community and teamwork on every GCY program. In 2014, we collaborated with 20
schools, four land management agencies, four Native American tribes and five non-profits to meet our
mission. Over 229 volunteers this past year contributed their time on the river, at community events and
helping in the warehouse. We are grateful to our many collaborators for all they do to make GCY the best
it can be.
New Discoveries in 2014
Citizen Science on Every Program
As night falls, a group of youth gather to conduct research along the river. Clipboards in hand, they consult
the protocol and set up the experiment. They record the time, temperature and location as they prepare to
capture and identify aquatic insects. They are providing important data regarding the food base for native
and endangered fish. This work is part of a multi-year research project in conjunction with Grand Canyon
Monitoring and Research Center (www.gcmrc.gov). In 2014 every GCY program included this citizen
science service project.
Connecting Native American Youth to the Rivers of the Southwest
The San Juan River in southeastern Utah runs through the Navajo Nation. Even with this close
proximity, youth from the nearby Hopi and Navajo Nations rarely have the opportunity to experience
a river trip. GCY has a long history of collaborating with schools, agencies and individuals from Native
communities. In 2014, we piloted a new program with Sanders Middle School. This small community on
the Navajo Nation worked hard to raise funds through movie nights and concessions at sporting events,
and organized an Earth Day event for their community service project. The guides shared that this program
embodied the heart of what makes GCY great! We look forward to future years with Sanders!
The River Heals
The “Children of the Fallen” program was piloted in 2014 in collaboration with our educational partner, No
Barriers Youth. The river is many things: a great equalizer, a place of adventure and conduit to discovery.
For a group of youth who experienced the loss of a parent through war, the river offers a place of
community and healing. Participants made new friends, laughed, played and engaged with the natural
world. Two of these programs are scheduled for 2015.
Discovering New Ways to Learn
Customized for Success
The breadth, flexibility and depth of GCY programs is truly astounding—from groups serving youth with
special needs to programs that are fully integrated into a school’s educational curriculum. Our Program
Director works with each group to identify educational goals and guides them through the planning process
to ensure the best possible experience. This custom approach, instead of set curriculum, allows for the
innumerable possibilities the river setting provides.
New Tools for Guides
This year we offered guides new educational kits. We’ve learned that certain activities and projects are always
a hit on the river, and we are thrilled to have secured the funding to offer these tools and resources! This year
we started with an artistic Block Print Kit and a Light Trap Activity Kit to accompany the citizen science
project. More to come in 2015!
Discover the Impact
“The Grand Canyon has made me stop to smell the roses, figuratively and literally. I just don’t know how
I could have lived without admiring nature. I now have more respect for the parks of my city and state. My
friends and I now make trips to hike and take a break from our busy lives.”
–Chelsea, 2014 Participant
“What a wonderful opportunity for our youth to experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the
excitement of white water rafting and to learn teamwork, leadership, and scientific fact-finding skills all at the
same time. Thank you again for so positively affecting my son’s growth and maturity.”
—Ann, 2014 Parent
“As as a GCY trip coordinator, I have witnessed numerous young adults begin their personal and professional
journeys into conservation. As a social scientist that studies humans’ relationship with nature, I am convinced
that this is one of the most effective ways to encourage the development of conservation leaders that will be
lifelong supporters, advocates, and patrons of the country’s national parks and protected areas.”
—Spencer, 2014 Trip Coordinator
“Working as a guide for GCY, I have seen hundreds of students from all over the world
immerse themselves in a world that was previously unimaginable to them.
No classroom experience can compare with watching a beach erode as the river
rises, or walking a fault line and tracing geologic history with your own body. “
–Will, 2014 GCY Alumnus Guide
“Grand Canyon Youth embodies the principles of education,
responsibility, and hard work. Each day I am faced with
challenges, but I am confident in taking them head on
because I translate my experiences and what I learned
from this organization in to my daily life. I am
currently an applications engineer for an emissions
solutions corporation that designs, manufactures
and sells equipment that protects the
environment we all share. I think of
Grand Canyon Youth every day
when I walk through the door to my
office because without participating in
GCY I would have never been
inspired to pursue an
engineering career.”
–Paul, GCY Alumnus
GCY Alumni Fund Donors
Discoveries That Last
In the summer of 2005, Kate Aitchison, Sara Hooker and Wade Permar
found themselves on the most transformative adventure of their young
lives-- an eight day GCY trip through the Grand Canyon. The magical
wonders of the Canyon allowed them to explore, play and transform
simultaneously into more carefree and caring individuals. At 16 years old,
they had discovered a place where they were truly free to be themselves.
Since then, they have shaped their lives around wild places. By
experiencing the transformation that takes place on a GCY trip firsthand,
and observing it later as guides, they were inspired to develop the Alumni
Scholarship Fund. Their goal is to provide financial support to youth who
demonstrate a great desire to experience a river trip. The scholarship is
funded by GCY alumni.
Timing is prime for the first and second generations of alumni to come
together and give back to the organization that has had such a deep impact
on their lives. In 2014, its inaugural year, the Alumni Scholarship Fund
received donations from across the country. During a time in which
wilderness and Grand Canyon are faced with many threats, what better
way to discover our nature than to share it with the youth of today. They
will become the protectors of wild places tomorrow.
Kate Aitchison
Stewart Aitchison
Lena Bain
Yann Bosch
Jake Brooks
Erika Canas
Jessica Cavanaugh
Chase Ehrenberg
Adam Freng
Madeline Friend
Justin Gallen
Izzy Gomez
Keven Griffen
Sara Hooker
Shaun Hurdelbrink
Zain Kimbrell
Ryan Lindsey
Will Lytle
Lopez Marycarmen
Miles Mauer
Adrian Meyer
Chantal Mosman
Catherine Pavlich
Christine Permar
Wade Permar
Ulises Ramirez
Rebecca Rand
Emily Rand
Greg Ross
Molly Ryan
Kristen Schmidt
Sophie Scott
Brandon Shaw
Shayne Slim
Matthew Vanderbeek
Depths of Discovery
In 2014, Grand Canyon Youth ran experiential education river trips with students from around
the United States. These programs included:
San Juan River Programs
Alpine Leadership Academy 8th Grade
Flagstaff, AZ (5 programs)
No Barriers Youth, Night Skies Art Academy*
Albuquerque, NM
Flagstaff Junior Academy*
Flagstaff, AZ
Hopi Footprints
Hopi Nation, AZ
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and
Page High School*
Page, AZ
Jemez Valley Middle School
Jemez, NM
Native Youth Southwest Conservation Corps*
Navajo Nation, AZ
No Barriers Youth, Children of the Fallen*
Open Enrollment
No Barriers Youth, Gifted and Talented
Lesher, CO
No Barriers Youth, Nardin Middle School*
Buffalo, NY
MIT-e Program at Sinagua Middle School
Flagstaff, AZ
The Peak School
Flagstaff, AZ
River Rampage (youth with special needs)
Phoenix, AZ (2 programs)
Science Leadership Academy and
NPA High School Partnership
Philadelphia, PA & Flagstaff, AZ
Middle School Adventure
Open Enrollment
“The interactive process of youth participating in all tasks builds
self-confidence and challenges youth to consider the environment
around them, including their peers.”
-Melissa, GCY Parent
Colorado River Programs
Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry
Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek
Alpine Leadership Academy 6th grade
Flagstaff, AZ (4 programs)
Grand Inspiration: art-focused open enrollment
collaboration with Grand Canyon National Park
& Hatch River Expeditions
BASIS Flagstaff
Flagstaff, AZ
Doris Duke/Northern AZ University *
Flagstaff, AZ
Orangewood Elementary School*
Phoenix, AZ (2 Programs)
Leading the Way: for visually impaired & sighted
youth, open enrollment collaboration with No
Barriers Youth, Grand Canyon National Park,
National Parks Dark Skies & Natural Sounds
Division, Arizona Raft Adventures and
Canyon Explorations (2 programs)
Partners in Science: science/research-focused
open enrollment in collaboration with the
United States Geologic Survey (4 programs)
Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry
BASIS Flagstaff
Flagstaff, AZ
Boy Scout Troop 51*
Georgetown, MA
Desert Sky Academy
Tucson, AZ
Grand Canyon Middle School & Northern
Preparatory Academy Partnership Program
Grand Canyon, AZ & Flagstaff, AZ
Northland Preparatory Academy,
American Literature Class*
Flagstaff, AZ
Sanders Middle School*
Sanders, Navajo Nation, AZ
Spring Street School
Friday Harbor, WA
Winslow High School
Winslow, AZ
* indicates a new group for 2014
Program Statistics
According to our program evaluations:
• 100% of parents would recommend Grand Canyon Youth to others
• 98% of parents felt their children’s safety needs were met
• 96% of parents felt we provided an educational experience for their child
• 90% of participants think they will continue to participate in community service
Ethnicities
In 2014 GCY participants
completed over 12,000 hours of
community service
Number of Participants
“Josh came home with a new love,
appreciation and insight for our
natural world.”
–Caroline, GCY Parent
2014 Audited Financial Statements
Statement of Revenue and Expenses
Revenue
Program Fees $ 367,722
Grants $ 223,439
In-Kind Contributions
$ 134,390
Fundraising Events $ 42,562
Contribution - Individuals
$ 62,277
Contribution - Businesses
$ 8,611
Federated Campaigns $ 2,655
Alumni Fund $ 3,172
Interest Income
$ 374
Total Revenue
$ 845,202
Expenses
Payroll & Payroll Taxes
$ 291,474
Outfitter Services
$ 177,315
Program Transportation
$ 64,666
Program Food $ 44,867
Rent & Utilities
$ 49,277
Insurance
$ 44,082
Permits & Fees
$ 32,942
Depreciation $ 13,581
Employee Benefits
$ 29,000
Small Equipment & Supplies $ 4,050
Accounting & Audit $ 10,084
Fundraising Events $ 11,443
Program Laundry
$ 6,466
Contract Labor
$ 9,235
Postage & Printing $ 1,746
Other Miscellaneous $ 6,671
Educational Materials
$ 3,531
Total Expenses
$ 800,430
Revenue over Expenses
$ 44,772
2014 Contributions
2014 Expenses
In 2014 Grand Canyon Youth provided
over $37,000 in financial aid. Our
program is inclusive, we serve youth
from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Balance Sheet as of 12/31/2014
Assets
Total Cash & Current Assets
Net Fixed Assets (Equipment)
Total Assets Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities
Net Assets
Unrestricted & Temporarily Restricted
Permanently Restricted (Endowment)
Total Liabilities & Equity
$ 279,268
$ 18,133
$ 297,401
$ 54,089
$ 229,812
$ 13,500
$ 297,401
Donors
Major Donors (≥ $1,000)
Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff
Arizona Raft Adventures
Edie Arrowsmith
Beaver Street Brewery
Keith Boman
Jennifer Borden
Brian Boyer & Beth Davis
Margaret Chanler
Coconino Board of Supervisors
Colorado River Discovery**
Canyon Explorations/Expeditions**
Patrick & Susan Conley ``
David & Deborah Cutler
Dan & Alida Dierker
Donald W Reynolds Foundation
Eliot Spalding Foundation
Arther “Mac” Fairley
Nancy Faus
Robb Faus ``
Flagstaff Hullabaloo
Forest Highlands Foundation
Fratelli Pizza**
Full Circle Trade & Thrift
Geile Charitable Foundation
Grand Canyon Fund
Mark Herring
Hatch River Expeditions**
High Mountain Health
Hualapai River Runners**
Jean Kindleberger
Dorothy & Kenneth Lamm
Lumberyard Brewery
Robert & Gladys Miller Foundation
Outdoor Foundation
Linda Parr
Peace Surplus
Pegasus Technology Services **
Professional River Outfitters
Roberts Family Foundation
Clem Rosenberger
Robert Simpson**
Marco Spagnuolo
David & Susan Stilley ``
Sue & George Trigueros Nature Fund
Thompson Family Fund
Marc Thompson
U.S. Geologic Survey
Walton Family Foundation
The Wharton Foundation
** non-cash or in-kind donations
`` GCY Current or Former
Board Member
“The trip reminded me that I need to actively seek out
adventure in my life or I’ll be stuck in daily routines.”
–George, GCY Participant
2014 Donors
$500-$999
Carl & Jane Bigler
John Carroll
Emer Dooley
Betty Jane Foster
Ian Funk
Jeff & Candace Havens
Impact Assets
Iron Horse Coating
David Lang & Laurie Breihan
Douglas & Celia Johnston
Jim MacKenzie
Mike McDonald
Jennifer Robino
Alyn Rumbold
W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. **
$100-$499
AEC Printing **
Robert Abromavage
Kelly Andros
Mary Ellen Arndorfer ``
Ralph & Jean Baierlein
George Bain ``
Steve Black
Brian & Ann Blue
Andre Brandt
Douglas Leigh Campbell, DDS,
MS, PC
Lora Cox
Kenneth & Phyllis Crady
Mark Crane``
Arthur “Bruce” Crozier
Christine Currie
Mark Daniels
Ane De Nio
Joel Dugdale
Margaret Erhart
Kevin Fedarko
Marian Frick
Theodore Fritzinger
Perfecto “Jim” Gastelum
Robert & Ursula Gaylord
Kevin Greif
Sarah Harrington
Jon Hirsh & Leslie Ross
Sarah Holcomb ``
Weton Howland
Ronald & Rita Hubert ``
Teresa Hylton
Kathy Lampros &
Richard Jackson``
Marie Jones
Jane Jones
John Karon
Jenny & Paul Keim ``
Angela Keith ``
Lou Ann Kiessling
Joanne Kirby
Larry Kovach
David Kumasaka
LaCroix Sparkling Water
Diana Laufenberg
Michael Looney
John Lowe
William Mapoles
J. Barry McCormick
Leslie McLean
Tracey Metcalf
Lias & Timothy Miles
Lynn Crew & Aaron Miller
Tom & Becky Myers ``
Ann Napier
Terry Nixon
Charles Novak
Lisa O’Connell
Thomas Olsen
Margaret & Paul Pavlich
Cynthia Perin
Ken & Ann Phillips
Spencer Plumb
River Cans Cleaned, LLC
John Rockwell
Darlene Ryan
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran
Church
Kristen Schmidt
Joe & Robin Sharber
Sierra Rescue, Inc
Bruce & Laurie Steinhaus ``
Michael Ullner
Kent & Holly Wagner
Franklin Wetherell
Nat White
Patrick & Janae Williams
Willow Canyon Outdoor
Company
Woodlands Oral & Maxiofacial
Surgery
John Bergeron**
Bodies & Balance Massage
Therapy
Gerri Clark
Allison Clough
Marcelle Coder
Kristin Coker
Tony Cola``
James & Melissa Connell
Paul Curtis``
George Curtis
Christine Lofquist & Ted Dwyer
Suzanne Eiseman
Christine Friend
Nancy & Joe Hazel**
Charly Heavenrich
Michael Herzog
Matthew Hughart
Thomas & Margaret Hughart
Jerry Johnson**
Jennifer Johnson
Lisa Kearsley**
Stephen Kenney
Stephen Lewis
Kehinde Majolagbe
John Mead
Roberta & Alan Motter``
Kathy Young & Steven Munsell
Thomas Brownsnold &
Mimi Murov
Suzanne Murphy
Tomas Naughton
Anabelle Nelson
Sandra Nevills-Weimer
Christine Permar
Paula Rand
Judy Reis
Zaira Reznick
Cory Sheeley Roberdeau``
Ann & Gary Schepper
Brent Schepper``
Clare Schneider
Andrew & Victoria Sherman
Leah Tartaglia
Kelly VanDenBerg
Hazel Walker``
M. Wheeler
$1-$99
** non-cash or in-kind donations
`` GCY Current or Former Board
Member
Andrawos LLC
Anonymous
Allison Bates
River Runner Film Festival & Silent Auction Donors
Abe Snider Photography
Absolute Bikes
Agave Maria
Kate Aitchison
Altitudes Bar & Grill
Amy S. Martin Photography
Arcosanti
Arizona Snowbowl
Mary Ellen Arndorfer
Arne Ceramics
Artisan Metal Works
Aspen Sports
Asp-Nes Photography
Azteca Hair Designs
Mike & Kathi Baron
Batteries Plus
Best Western Grand Canyon
Squire Inn
Biff’s Bagels
BigFoot BBQ
Jenny Blue
Bright Angel Bicycles
Ann-Marie Bringhurst
Lindon Brown
Mike Buchheit Photography
Buechel Acupuncture &
Oriential Medicine
Cameron & Kelly Studio
Canyon Coolers
Ceiba Adventures, Inc.
Geri Clark
Chris Cone
Dancing Palms Massage
Therapy
Disneyland
Durango & Silverton
Narrow Gauge Railroad
& Museum
Megan Dwyer
Dwyer Financial
Ed Studio
Euphoria Bodyworks
Erica Fareio
Fat Olives Pizzeria
Kevin Fedarko
Judy & Bill Finney
Michael Finney
Fire Creek Coffee
Fire on the Mountain
Fizzy Bella Bath Boutique
Flagstaff Athletic Club
Flagstaff Climbing
Flagstaff Field Institute
Flagstaff Hobbies
Flagstaff Military Surplus
Flagstaff Nordic Center
Flyco
Four Seasons Outfitters
Fratelli Pizza, Inc.
Funhog Press
Michael Ghiglieri
Gourd Art
Grand Canyon Railway
Grand Canyon River
Guides
Greenhouse Productions
Greg McFadden
Michelle Grua
Harkins Theatre
Headlines Studio
Heath’s Paint Center
Hell’s Backbone Grill
Janeece Henes
Kathy Hooker
Huppy Bar
Image Traders
In Touch Healing Massage
& Sacred Space Healing
Jack’s Plastic Welding
John Blaustein Photography
John L Bacon D.D.S.
Roabie Johnson
Josephine’s Modern
American Bistro
Kahtoola
Angela Keith
Kickstand Kafe
Karen Knorowski
La Posada Hotel LLC
Kathy Lampros
Roy Lippman
Little America
Loma’yoo’si Designs
Nancy Lowe
Jim MacKenzie
Marble Canyon Lodge
MartAnnes Breakfast Palace
Pamela Mathues
McCarthy River Tours
Mike McDonald
Talitha McGuire
McSweeney The Salon
Mix Flagstaff
Angie Moline
Mountain Sports
Mountain Waves Healing
Arts
Museum of Northern
Arizona
Tom Myers
Naa-Yu Center, Inc
Deb Nickson
Northern Arts
Out of Africa
Pasto Cucina Italiana
Joni Pevarnik
PMS Creations
Board of Directors
George Bain (Co-Vice President) • Patrick Conley (Past Board President)
Tony Cola • Mark Crane, DDS, MD • Abbie Downard (Youth Representative)
Robb Faus (President) • Sarah Holcomb, LLD (Treasurer) • Ron Hubert, MBA
Jarred Kay (Youth Representative) • Angela Keith, PhD
Kathy Lampros, MBA • Alan Motter, FNP • Tom Myers, MD (Secretary)
Shelby Rutledge, MD • Brent Schepper • Dave Stilley, LLD (Co-Vice President)
Hazel Walker (Youth Representative)
Staff
Emma Wharton, MSW (Executive Director, 2003)
Chantal Mosman (Assistant Director, 2007) • John Napier (Operations Director, 2008)
Dorothy Haymon (Program Driector, 2013) • Megan Dwyer (AmeriCorps, 2014)
Cover Photo Credit: Dave Herasimtschuk
Photo Credits: Walt Carr, Dave Herasimtschuk, Angela Keith
Annual Report Design: Sara Hooker, GCY alumna
Puchteca Gallery
Richard Quartaroli
Raven’s Eye Creative Werks
Red Door Acupuncture
Restorative Muscle Therapy
Jane Reukema
Roger Dale Studios
Run Flagstaff
Justin Salamon
Chela Scurlock
Shane Knight Photography
Cory Sheeley Roberdeau
Gibney Siemion
Sophie’s Mexican Kitchen
Sorensen Photography
Serena Supplee
Scott Tenenbaum
The Toasted Owl Cafe
The Wilderness Lodge
& Hotsprings
This Earth Press
Touch of Comfort
Towerhouse Designs
Connie Townsend
Under One Sun
Massage Therapy
Cathy Uno
Ann Walka
Gwendolyn Waring
West of the Moon Gallery
Wet Dreams River Supply
Bahe Whitethorne Jr
Wil McNabb Fine Jewelry
Winter Sun
Xanterra- Furnace Creek Inn
& Ranch Resort
Stephen Yazzie
Discover More
Grand Canyon Youth
Mailing
P.O. Box 23376
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
Physical
2131 N. First Street, Ste B
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: 928.773.7921
Fax: 928.774.8941
[email protected]
www.gcyouth.org