Hike-a-Thon
Preserving Childhood, Nature and Community
Together, we go further.
For Sponsors
From April 15 through May 15, our students are setting their own hiking goals, tracking their miles, and asking friends and family to sponsor them along the way. What makes this special is that they are not just collecting donations. They are actually getting out there, putting in the effort, and working toward something they chose for themselves.
Each student decides how far they want to go and how they want to reach their goal. Some are hiking a mile for every year they are, some are setting bigger challenges, but all of them are showing up, getting outside, and working toward a shared goal. When you sponsor a Free Haven student, you are supporting that effort directly, not just the school as a whole.
You can sponsor a student by making a donation of any amount. Just click donate and include the student’s name in the form. Students are also working toward prizes, including a free week of summer camp, a ninja slackline obstacle course, and a forest treasure chest. Be sure to add who you’re sponsoring so they can get credit for your donation!
Don’t forget to add the name of the student you’re sponsoring in the memo!
WHY IT MATTERS
Our goal this year is $28,000,
doubling last year’s $14,000.
More importantly, this fundraiser helps us continue our mission of connecting more children to nature and preserving childhood through play-based learning. Your support helps us expand our campus, complete our Nature Center, and create more space for kids to grow, explore, and spend their days outside.
These funds directly support our expansion project. Due to delays in permitting, building costs have doubled, leaving us responsible for a significant portion out of pocket. Free Haven Forest School, our 50-acre property, and all expansion efforts are funded entirely through tuition and fundraisers like this.
Your participation truly moves this project forward in a meaningful way.
STUDENT PRIZES
1st place
1 free week of Free Haven Summer Camp
2nd place
Ninja Slackline Obstacle Course
3rd place
A Forest Treasure Chest- filled with outdoor explorer gear!
For Families
It’s not too late to join. Sign up, set a hiking goal, and start collecting pledges from friends and family. Track your hikes, then submit your pledge sheet and total funds before our Celebration Hike on May 15 to qualify for prizes. Families can participate together or students can participate individually.
The Hike-A-Thon is more than a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to bring forest school home. When you hike together, you are giving your child something that truly matters. Time outside, space to explore, and your presence alongside them. Research consistently shows that parent involvement is one of the strongest indicators of a child’s success, and moments like these are where that connection is built.
Spending more time outdoors supports creativity, confidence, and resilience in ways that are hard to replicate anywhere else. The Hike-A-Thon is a simple way to step into that together. No special trail required. Just time, intention, and a willingness to get outside.
If each of our families raises just $187, we will meet our goal of $28,000. And as a thank you, any family who raises $200 or more will have their volunteer requirement fulfilled for the year. We are so grateful for your involvement and for the way you continue to show up for your child and for this community.
