Check out Anne’s blog post about her day out.
Check out Eric’s gallery from his day out (turn the volume up for some music too!).

Thanks to both of you for your generous contributions!

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View the photos

View the video

Kismet Adult Adventure Program  |  Aug. 29 – Sep. 6, 2010:

Join us in our majestic White Mountains playground for an end-of-summer adventure that supports Kismet’s programs. Beginning immediately after the close of our 2010 program season:

• Stay at Kismet’s student housing
• Enjoy home-cooked meals
• Choose from an ‘a la carte menu’ of activities or use the house as a base for your own adventures
• 4 day or full-week sessions available.
• More info

2nd Annual Kismet Cliff Run  |  Sunday, September 19, 2010

A five mile race over beautiful Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges in North Conway, New Hampshire. NEW for 2010: A non-competitive walking division!  More info

Email us or call 603.986.9457 for more information on either event.

We hope to see you there!

Kismet Rock Foundation Gears Up for Eleventh Season of Educating Youth Through Climbing

North Conway, NH – July 6, 2010 – Nine eighth grade students from a half dozen schools in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine will meet for the first time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire this weekend to commence the first of several summer weeks they will likely spend with Kismet Rock Foundation (Kismet) in the years to come. The organization’s unique programs focus on rock climbing as a platform for learning.

“Rock climbing is a very multidimensional activity,” explained Sarah Garlick, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. “Our students develop athleticism, analytic skill, good judgment, focus, team awareness, relationship skills, patience, compassion, honesty, humility…the list goes on. And all of this is offered in a pristine mountain environment, surrounded by adult mentors and peers from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas. Our students’ time here is often transformative for them.”

The organization serves well functioning, underprivileged students who might otherwise ‘fall between the cracks’ of their highly stressed public school systems. By developing their potential, Kismet prepares students to positively contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives.

“We will serve more students than we ever have before during this, our eleventh season,” added Garlick. “And we are very pleased to add Gorham NH to the list of public schools we’ll serve this summer.”

Kismet also serves public schools in Bartlett and Manchester NH, Portland ME and Boston MA, offering students one week per summer of programs for up to four years. The first session of students arrive in North Conway on July 11, with programs running through August 28^th.

Valuable contributions from the Evenor Armington Trust, the Great Circle Foundation, the Kendall C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation, the Nelson Charitable Foundation, the Pequawket Foundation, the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Foundation, the Stare Fund, and a community of individual and business donors make the program season possible. Kismet also thanks the following businesses for 2010 program support: Black Diamond Equipment, Mountain Hardwear and Montrail, Nike, Inc., SOLO and Sterling Rope Co., Inc.

After the summer programs wrap up, Kismet Rock Foundation’s fall calendar includes the 2^nd Annual Kismet Cliff Run on Saturday, September 18^th and Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation on October 23. The Power of Three Campaign is still active, with all first time donations being double matched by the Great Circle Foundation and the Nelson Charitable Foundation.  For more information about these events, to make a donation, volunteer or learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation and its climbing programs for New England youth please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org, email info@kismetrockfoundation.org or call 603-986-9457. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

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Contact:

Janet Bergman, Executive Director

Kismet Rock Foundation

PO Box 1744

North Conway, NH 03860

(603) 986 9457

janet@kismetrockfoundation.org

Read our most recent e-newslettter

“The Blue Ribbon All-Star Band is a roots rock band from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire,” said Steven Cooney. “The material the band covers is diverse.  We play music from Booker T., John Prine, Johnny Cash, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Taj Mahal and many others. Tuesday evening we will be playing an acoustic set with no drummer. The line-up is Brendan Dowd on upright bass, Chris Candito on acoustic guitar and vocals, and I will be on guitar and vocals.”

A Kismet information table will be set up in the foyer. All first time contributions of any amount are being DOUBLE matched through the Power of Three campaign.

We are so grateful to Flatbread Company for their continued support of our community organizations. They do benefit nights like this TWICE a week most weeks!

Janet with Kismet students in 2007

The board of directors voted unanimously to make long time Kismet team member Janet Bergman the organization’s executive director. As part of this leadership transition, founder Mike Jewell will serve alongside Janet as Kismet’s President and Program Director.

Janet has been working in the background of Kismet for many years already, helping implement administrative policies and procedures, develop a personnel structure and to conduct outreach and fund raising. She is also an avid climber who understands from personal experience the value of a climbing education.

“We feel this creative leadership structure will make the most of both Janet’s and Mike’s strongest skill sets and help Kismet to reach new heights in accomplishing its educational mission,” said Sarah Garlick, Board Chair.

Janet and Mike will join the board for a strategic planning retreat early this summer to paint a picture of Kismet’s long-term vision, and to identify strategies for accomplishing our immediate and long-range goals. Please stay tuned for the results of that session.