Application

Adverse Conditions: Adverse environmental conditions can occur during the program (i.e. cold, wet, or snowy conditions). Students will be provided with a gear list and must come prepared with the necessary gear. Many items may be available for use upon request such a rain gear, fleece layers, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, etc. etc. All group gear is provided such as tents, cook stove, cook shelter, cook pans, water disinfection system and food.

The following forms are required for participation in this course and include:

1. Onward & Upward Participant Agreement Form
2. Onward & Upward Medical & Health Information
3. Rules of Conduct
4. Demographics

In consideration of the services of Onward and Upward Inc., their agents, owners, officers, volunteers and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as "O&U"), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge O&U, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows:

1. I acknowledge that my participation in guided overnight hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing from shoreline, community service projects, team building and leadership games, problem solving exercises, athletic activities, bicycling and orienteering, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, high and low ropes course and training and instruction including remote learning activities entails known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.

The risks include, among other things: slips and falls; falling from significant heights, falling objects; flying debris; rugged terrain; weather conditions; water hazards; accidental drowning; being impaled by a fishing hook; accidents involving other bicycles or vehicles; collision with fixed or movable objects; injuries or accidents involving contact with or falls from the bicycle; cuts, bruises, burns, abrasions, and concussions; strains, sprains, muscle soreness and fractures; musculoskeletal injuries including head, neck, and back; injuries to internal organs; loss of fingers or other appendages; exhaustion; exposure to temperature and weather extremes which could cause hypothermia, hyperthermia (heat related illnesses), heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration; and exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; exposure to altitude and cold including hypothermia, frostbite; hidden obstacles by snow ice and snow cornices, tree wells, tree stumps, creeks rocks and boulders, below the snow surface; loss or damage to equipment being used; equipment failure and/or operator error; improper lifting or carrying; being lost or separated from their instructors or companions; the negligence of participants, or other persons who may be present; accidents or illness can occur in remote places without medical facilities and emergency treatment or other services rendered; transmissible pathogen or disease; traveling to and from activity locations raises the possibility of any manner of transportation accidents; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity; the condition of roads, terrain, or highways and accidents connected with their use.

Furthermore, O&U personnel have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant's fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather or other environmental conditions. They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.

2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks. I agree to wear a properly fitted and secured helmet while participating in bicycling and high ropes courses.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless O&U from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of O&U’s equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of O&U.
4. Should O&U or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against O&U, I agree to do so solely in the state of Alaska and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining document shall remain in full force and effect.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against O&U on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I also agree that this document is valid for subsequent visits and participation at O&U. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.

If your child is currently seeing or has not yet seen a Licensed Health Care Provider (LHCP) for any of the above medical information provided above, Onward & Upward suggests receiving a recommendation from a LHCP prior to participating in this program. If your LHCP would like more information about the program, they may call:
Randy Dowd, Executive Director at (907) 953-5360 or
Amanda Montavon, Director of Operations at (907) 982-4144

These rules are in place to protect the wellbeing of students and staff. Failure to abide by these rules may result in removal from the program and possible criminal prosecution. All participants are held to the following rules of conduct:

• Students must avoid behavior that endangers themselves or others, including staff.
• We do not permit use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or any illicit substances.
• Over-the-counter medications and prescriptions may only be self-administered with specific permission from parents or physicians. All medication is held by appropriate staff and self-administered by participants under staff supervision.
• Weapons or articles which staff believe could be used as a weapon, including personal knives, are not allowed.
• Students may not leave the program without permission of staff or their parent/guardian. If a participant makes a request to leave the program, staff will notify their parent/guardian to discuss the options for exiting the program. Sometimes while on backcountry portions of the program immediate departure from a program is not available.
• Students may not engage in violence or threaten violence. Violent behavior includes both physical aggression, verbal aggression or sexual misconduct.
• Onward and Upward follows an established risk management plan. Students may not engage in risky behaviors or fail to follow instructions regarding safety issues.

Failure to abide by these rules may result in dismissal from the program and possible criminal prosecution. If these rules are broken during a backcountry portion of the program evacuation fees may be accrued and will be charged to the student’s parent/guardian.

Collecting the below information helps us in connecting with the people we serve, directing the focused growth of our organization and acquiring grants to provide programs. This survey is optional, and does not influence your participation in our programs. We appreciate you taking the time to provide this additional information.