Six Students from the Gateway School in Lenoir, NC recently completed “The Grandfather Challenge” hiking program at Grandfather Mountain in Linville.
“The Grandfather Challenge” program is sponsored by The Jason Project, Inc., which was formed by the parents of Jason Matthew Nipper, who passed away in June of 2014 at age 26. This private foundation provides outdoor/wilderness and hiking excursions and similar programs which are designed to build self-confidence in struggling youth, as well as trust and positive rapport with adult mentors. Because of Jason’s abiding love of the outdoors and mountain hiking, James & Cheryl have established “The Grandfather Challenge,” through which students navigate all of the hiking trails at Grandfather Mountain. Although the program includes at-risk kids suffering from mental problems and/or drug addictions, the program also seeks to assist any special kids who are struggling with personal adversities, including family, school, or other personal problems or challenges.
The six very special students who just completed this program are: Adam Call, Bryson Smith, Lilly Ford, Jacob Jenkins, Tristen Johnson, and Acie Sparks. Special thanks are due to Principal Bill Scheiber, who approved and supported this program and also drove the bus and served as a chaperone on three of the four hikes! Christy Bumgarner also served admirably as a chaperone, and bravely completed all of the Grandfather hiking trails !! In addition, Eugene Trantham acted as a chaperone on two of the hikes and supported these students as the hikes progressed. Each of these outstanding school personnel provided leadership and encouragement of the students as they completed these challenging hikes. Their contributions were invaluable, and helped make this program a success for these kids.
Each and every one of these very special students and adult chaperones did a wonderful job of accepting and completing “The Grandfather Challenge” course at Grandfather Mountain !
These hikes were conducted and supervised by Jon Kelley and Jesse Lile of Appalachian Mountain Leadership, which is a highly certified, experienced, and faith-based outfitter group headquartered in Boone, NC, which provides wilderness activities of various kinds, including extended wilderness excursions, rock climbing, overnight camping, and other experiences in which they teach servant leadership, wilderness management, discipline, and character building values and goals. (You can learn more about Appalachian Mountain Leadership by visiting their website at www.amlnc.org). These students quickly bonded with these fine young people, and learned valuable lessons of servant-leadership and team unity.
The Jason Project, Inc. has formed alliances with the Avery, Catawba, Caldwell, Yancey, Lincoln, and Gaston County School systems, representing over 15 high schools and 10 middle schools. Also, the Grandfather Mountain State Park of North Carolina (through its Superintendent Sue McBean) has issued a Special Activity Permit to the project, and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation (with the support and encouragement of Jesse Pope) has issued a special pass for entrance to the Grandfather Mountain attractions. Jason’s parents are deeply appreciative of the community support they have received for this exciting program !
The Jason Project, Inc. provides hiking boots, backpacks, socks, raincoats, professional guides, and all other costs associated with this program. At the successful completion of each round of hikes, the youth participants are each given a Certificate Of Completion and a gift certificate at an awards ceremony in their honor. This current group just celebrated their achievements at Bella’s Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk, NC.
Once again, our deepest thanks and appreciation goes out to all of these special students and chaperones who participated in “The Grandfather Challenge!”
Anyone seeking further information about “The Grandfather Challenge” and/or who may wish to sponsor a student may contact James or Cheryl Nipper at (828) 765-6561 or (904) 354-7378, or via email at james@jamesnipper.com, or visit their Go Fund Me page at GoFundMe.com/TheJasonProject.
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