Help keep Unalayee strong for when we’re able to enjoy it again!
On this page:
-Fundraising Tips & Email Templates
-Instructional Videos & FAQs
-Sign Up for our Virtual Campfire on July 29th
Fundraising Tips & Email Templates
Here’s some general advice:
1. Don’t be scared. Most people really don’t mind being asked to donate by someone they like–if they can’t donate, they won’t.
2. Be honest, and acknowledge that finances are tight, but we are all in this together. Small pledges really do add up.
3. Who to ask? Relatives, friends, past co-workers, past/current boss, teachers? Maybe your neighbors growing up? Or the parents of your friends if you are close to any of them? Your parents’ friends?
4. Personalization goes a long way. People know when they are being BCC’d and then they don’t feel responsible for responding. Write to their name. Really try to add something at the beginning of the email about the last time you saw them or talked to them, or how much you miss doing XXXX with them.
5. Generosity is infectious – if they know other people are giving, they are much more likely to give and feel good about it. If you include “I’ve raised XXX% of my goal” that can inspire people.
6. The hike-a-thon is great for updates. Sending an email update after your first ask (to those that didn’t respond or pledge) that says I’ve done this many miles, or I’ve raised this percent of my goal, with a picture of you hiking and a reminder they can still pledge (make sure to include the link) is totally appropriate.
Templates:
SUBJECT: WRITE SOMETHING YOU HOPE WILL ACTUALLY GET THEM TO OPEN IT.
Hi NAME,
SOMETHING ABOUT THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU/TALKED TO YOU/WHATEVER. I hope that you’ve been doing ok through all this craziness – cause that’s really what it has been. It’s certainly been crazy for us. One of the craziest parts for me has been trying to work out if we could do camp this summer and then the extreme disappointment of not being able to do it.
In lieu of our 2nd session, we are doing a virtual hike-a-thon where we are getting a bunch of campers and staff to hike, walk, run, whatever, in their own hometowns and get people to sponsor them for the miles they log. As you can imagine, having no program income for the year has a significant impact on Unalayee’s bottom line (in the – $100,000 range in fact – ouch) and we are really hoping that through this fundraiser we can recoup a significant portion of that.
If you would be willing to pledge even a dollar or two per mile to my “hike” it would make a huge difference. I know that everyone is a little harder hit these days financially, but we are really hoping that if we can get a whole lot of people to just pitch in a little it will add up to a lot.
Check out my page and pledge if you can! {INSERT LINK TO YOUR PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE}
Thank you so much for your support!
SUBJECT: Please help me support Camp Unalayee!
Hi {FirstName},
I am participating in a fundraiser to raise money for Camp Unalayee, an amazing nonprofit backpacking summer camp, and one of my favorite places in the world, and I could really use your support! {Personalize your connection to camp}. 2020 was going to be Camp Unalayee’s 71st year taking kids on backpacking adventures, and I am so disappointed that we had to cancel our programs due to the pandemic.
This summer, Unalayee is running a Hike-a-Thon fundraiser to raise money to make up for lost revenue. Participants will hike, bike, swim, or otherwise get active in order to raise money for Unalayee’s life-changing programs. I hope to {raise $___ or hike ___ miles} while {activity} in {location}. You can pledge your support by clicking here.
*The campaign will end at 11:59 pm PST on Wednesday, July 29th, 2020.
More about Camp Unalayee:
Unalayee has been taking kids on outdoor adventures since 1949. Located in Northern California’s Trinity Alps, we are a nonprofit, co-ed wilderness summer camp that provides meaningful outdoor experiences for children ages 10-17. Whether boating, backpacking, making crafts, or learning leadership skills, campers learn how to safely enjoy a remarkably beautiful wilderness setting. As a nonprofit, Unalayee takes great pride in welcoming children from all walks of life. Unalayee provides assistance to many of its campers, allowing kids from all income levels to have a wilderness summer camp experience. Click here to visit our website.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you,
{Name}
Instructional Videos & FAQs
How to personalize your fundraiser page:
How to log your miles:
**If you are still having trouble after watching this video, please email max@gocampu.com.
FAQs:
How do I sign up to hike?
When you click on the Register to Hike button on the Hike-a-Thon homepage, it will take you to our Hiker Central where you have the option to Register to Hike or Create a Choice Hike. When you click on Register to Hike, you are taken to our two registrations options: registration with a t-shirt ($20) or without (free). Click Select Registration next to the registration type you want, and then click Proceed to Checkout. After you click Submit Registration you should receive an email receipt, and you will start receiving reminder emails & updates about the campaign. Your personal fundraiser page will also be created, which you can personalize and share with family & friends.
How do I personalize my Fundraising Page?
After you complete your registration, you should receive an email with the subject: Your hiker registration is confirmed. At the bottom of this email, there will be a section called What to do next with a list of links. Click on Customize your fundraising page to make changes to your page. You may have to log in or create an account before you can edit the page. Once you are logged in, click on the text itself in order to edit it. You can write about why you love Unalayee, your Hike-a-Thon fundraising goals, and even add pictures of you at camp! After you register, you can find more instructions for personalizing your personal & choice hike pages here.
How do pledges work?
When someone donates to Unalayee’s Hike-a-Thon, they can make a pledge to support a specific Hiker or Choice Hike, based on the number of miles the hiker(s) log during the campaign. They can optionally choose to put an upper limit on their pledge. For example, someone might pledge to donate $5 for every mile that Bobby mountain bikes during the Hike-a-Thon, up to $60. They can alternatively chose to make a one-time donatation of a flat amount. It’s very important that all hikers enter their miles accurately and completely by July 29th at 11:59 pm PST because once the campaign is over, all donors will be billed for their pledges automatically.
I’ve never gone hiking before (or never except for at camp), what are some tips for staying safe & having a good time outside?
Plan your route in advance: read a hiking guide or online review if you are unfamiliar with the area, find or print a paper map, estimate how long it will take, and check back at the end to see if you were right.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, ideally with some ankle support, and wear clothing that you are comfortable being active in for many hours (jeans are NOT ideal).
Wear sunscreen and/or a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Bring lots of water & snacks: you need at least one liter of water per person.
Bring extra sunscreen, warm layers, and/or bug repellant, depending on where & when you are hiking, and how long you plan to be out.
Bring first-aid supplies with you, based on the type of trip: for a short day hike, you’ll need epi-pens, inhalers, or any other life-saving medications for anyone who needs them. Optionally, you could bring small bandages and/or medical tape & Moleskin to deal with blisters or small cuts & scraps, rubbing alcohol or something else to sanitize cuts with, an ace wrap bandage in case of a sprained or rolled ankle, or anything else that helps you feel more prepared. For a longer hike or overnight trip, you’ll need a more complete first-aid kit.
Tell someone where you are going, when you plan to be back, and what they should do if they don’t hear from you by a certain time.
How can I get outdoors safely and responsibly during the pandemic?
For some, the best option may be to stay home and get active inside or in your backyard. Here are some guidelines about safe outdoor recreation during COVID-19 from Recreate Responsibly:
Know before you go: Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it’s closed, don’t go. If it’s crowded, have a backup plan.
Practice physical distancing: Keep your group size small. Be prepared to cover your nose & mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.
Plan ahead: Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.
Play it safe: Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.
Explore locally: Limit long-distance travel and make use of local parks, trails, and public spaces. Be mindful of your impact on the communities you visit.
Leave no trace: Respect public lands and waters, as well as Native and local communities. Take all your garbage with you: pack it in, pack it out!
Build an inclusive outdoors: Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
How can I find places to hike?
Right now some parks and outdoor areas have reopened, while others remain closed, and others are newly closed due to surges of coronavirus cases in the local area. Try searching for your local regional, state, or national park’s website and look for updates on their homepage before you make plans. Many have restrictions on travel outside of your local area, so make sure to check your local laws & park policies before you go, and try to focus on finding interesting places near your home. This will look different for everyone depending on where they are, and it could even just mean walking to do an errand you normally would drive to. We want to challenge our community to look for the resiliency and beauty of nature wherever they are.
Further questions?
Contact Max at max@gocampu.com if you have questions about the Hike-a-Thon.
Virtual Campfire on July 29th
Everyone is invited to our 2nd live-streamed virtual campfire, which will include skits, musical performances, and more by the Unalayee community. Click here to sign up to perform.
Last-night campfire: Wednesday, July 29th at 7 pm PST **Hike-a-Thon prizes awarded
The event will be live-streamed on our social media platforms. Look for a link in your email.
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