57hours Guide Education Fund: Developing The Next Generation of Mountain Guides
57hours is an adventure platform that works with over 500 guides worldwide, following their development and their personal and professional growth. One thing became clear to us early on: professional courses are expensive. And you need them in order to move forward.
So that’s how our Guide Education Fund came about. Designed to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with both entering the guiding industry and advancing the career, the 1% of our yearly profit goes towards scholarships to help pay for guide courses, certification exams, and travel expenses.
We started 57hours because we believe in the importance and impact of guides. When it comes to educating outdoor enthusiasts on how to safely enjoy the mountains and preserve our amazing planet, there is no comparison to the knowledge and skill of a fully certified and compassionate AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide.
– Viktor, 57hours Co-Founder
We Are Proud to Offer Up to $8,000 in Scholarship Funding in 2024
The funds are to be used toward American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) and International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) certifications. Half of the scholarships are specifically allocated for aspirant female, BIPOC, and LGBTQ guides starting their journey. The other half is for current guides looking to advance their career.
Ready to apply for a scholarship? Head to our Guide Education Fund Application
Guide Education Fund: FAQ
- How many scholarships will 57hours be giving out? To be determined. We will offer up to $8,000 in scholarships in 2024 (individual scholarship amount may vary depending on need). These funds can be used towards programs taking place in 2025 as well.
- When do applications close? Thursday, February 29th at 11:59pm MST
- What can the scholarship be used for? AMGA and IFMGA Mountain Guide Program program fees and associated travel expenses. We aim to help aspiring guides complete their Rock, Ski, or Alpine certifications. At this time, we are not awarding money towards the AMGA Climbing Instructor Program, which includes the Single Pitch Instructor or Climbing Wall Instructor.
- Do you have scholarships specifically for women, BIPOC, or LGBTQA+ guides? Yes! We have reserved half of our Guide Education Funds for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ guides. Read more about our diversity commitment below.
- When will you offer this scholarship again? Scholarships through the Guide Education Fund are available on an annual basis. Keep your eyes out in December of 2024 for more information on applying for a scholarship in 2025.
- Do I need to be a guide on the 57hours platform? No! Once you start guiding, we would love to help you grow your business through our 57hours online platform. If you are already a guide but have yet to be listed on our platform, you can work with our team to get your guided trips listed.
- Who can I email with additional questions? You can email us at educationfund@57hours.com with any questions!
Diversity in the Outdoors
Half of our Guide Education Funds are specifically for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ guides to support historically underrepresented communities and increase diversity representation in the outdoors.
The guiding and outdoor industries have long struggled to represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the United States. According to the AMGA and IFMGA, of the 170 certified Mountain Guides in the country, only 16 are women, including just one woman of color, Norie Kizaki. In an AMGA First: Norie Kizaki on Breaking Trail for BIPOC Women, Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala highlights the importance of representation in the outdoors:
The picture doesn’t look much better for participation in outdoor recreation. According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2023 Outdoor Participation Trends Report, 72% of participants are white, while only 9% are black, 5% are Asian, and 11% are Hispanic.
The moment I heard that Norie was officially an American Mountain Guide/IFMGA Guide, I teared up and was overwhelmed with pride. I texted some of the Brown Girls Climb crew and later shared her speech from the pinning ceremony. Norie’s achievement was our achievement because she represents the beautiful intersections of her identities.
– Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala, AMGA certified SPI, Indigenous Climber
We Believe It’s Hard To Be What You Can’t See
When women see other women guiding, they can see themselves as guides. Seeing people of color recreating outdoors makes it easier for other people of color to take the first step toward exploring outdoor spaces.
Our first 57hours Guide Education Fund scholarship recipient, Anthony Leong, captures this sentiment perfectly in his recent article, Let the Teaching Be the Guide.
By becoming a certified Rock Guide, I want to show other Asians that there is a place for them in the climbing community.
– Anthony Leong, Aspiring AMGA Rock Guide
Top row: Anju Samuelson, Carlin Reynolds, Boaz Cesaretti, Jack Bynum.
Bottom row: Ericka Johnson, Nate Pakula, Julian Lopez, Avery Stolte.
57hours — Passion for Adventure
We at 57hours believe that spending fun time outdoors can have a profoundly positive impact on a person. Therefore, we team people up with trustworthy guides worldwide so they can explore the great outdoors safely and comfortably. By making the adventures accessible to an ever growing number of people we are creating a community of guides and adventurers and raising awareness about the importance of both personal well-being and the environment.