ALDHA-West stands in solidarity with the black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) community. We believe that long-distance trails and all public lands should be accessible, safe, and welcoming spaces for people of all races, ethnicity, and backgrounds. We recognize that the outdoors, and specifically long-distance trails, have not been a welcoming and safe space for hikers of color.
We are committed to making justice, equity, diversity, and belonging a cornerstone of our organization, and we are in it for the long haul. We have secured a grant from the Live for a Living Foundation to support our work towards these important values.
2025 will be our second year of the ALDHA-West Diversity Scholarship program. Four (4) BIPOC hikers will each receive $2,500 AND a gear package provided by our incredible ALDHA-West Sponsors (2024 Scholarship Sponsors) We intend to help bridge the gap in funding and gear that has kept the recipients of these scholarships from hiking the trails of their dreams.
Requirements to Applicants
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Applicants must identify as BIPOC (black, indigenous, or other person of color)
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Applicants must **intend to attempt a continuous hike at least 150 miles in 2025
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Applicants must fill out the ALDHA-West Diversity Scholarship application
Requirement for Recipients
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Recipients must agree to the scholarship terms and conditions prior to receiving the scholarship funds and gear package. Signature will required by scholarship recipients after notification
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Social Media Post: Recipients must post at least one (1) update from trail and tag or invite as collaborator "ALDHA-West". For recipients without social media accounts or wish to remain anonymous we will work with you to find an alternate option
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Post-Trip Report: A trip report (format up to recipient) that we will publish on social media and/or website
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Process
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Applications opens Dec 2, 2024 and closes end of day Feb 15, 2025
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The ALDHA-West Diversity Scholarship Committee will announce the recipients in March 2025
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The $2,500 scholarship and sponsor's gear package will be sent to the recipients after selection
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*Logo image provided by Abstract Hikes Order your sticker and a portion of the proceeds are donated back to the Diversity Scholarship program
**The intended hike must be attempted but completion is not required.
