History
Kismet Rock Foundation emerged out of a desire of the director, Mike Jewell, to offer the same climbing instruction to economically disadvantaged children as he had given to many children with greater resources throughout his guiding career.
After nearly a decade of consideration, Mike asked a childhood friend, Stanley West, to find four children in southern New Jersey and bring them to New Hampshire for one week of technical climbing instruction. During the summer of 1999, this initial project was accomplished with little money and with much effort on the part of some very kind and generous people. Luckily, the project received media attention, including a piece on the television show “New Hampshire Crossroads”. As a result, Mike was approached by members of the North Conway community with the idea of starting a nonprofit organization. Thus, Kismet was born in the year 2000 with a small board of six, and the support of many friends and organizations.
The most difficult challenges of creating a non-profit company have been met. Because we have always known that there is not necessarily any direct relationship between quantity and quality we have purposely grown our program slowly. We now offer five, one-week programs of instruction. Thus, we will offer the immense value of a climbing education to 35 children.
Creating an organization whose mission is to share personal and material resources is no small endeavor. Kismet has been nourished by the efforts of hundreds of people. It is the literal embodiment of community. Kismet continues to expand on a solid foundation built with unrelenting dedication, patience, and humility.
We all have much to be thankful for.
