Sean's Fundraiser for On Belay!

Connection, Community, Resilience

When a child's loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, everything changes. Their world can suddenly feel uncertain, isolating, and heavy in ways no young person should have to carry alone. This is where On Belay aims to help.

We offer free adventure-based programs for children and young adults, ages 8-18, who have been impacted by a loved one's cancer diagnosis. Using activities like rock climbing, hiking, paddling, ropes courses, mountain biking, and team challenges, we create intentional spaces for kids to have fun and make new friends. We help our participants build resilience through a challenge-by-choice model, allowing them to approach obstacles with a sense of autonomy, knowing that they are supported by peers who understand the unique circumstances they may be facing.

I started as the Program Director for On Belay in early April of 2026, and while I have only been here a few months, I have already seen the incredible impact this organization has. The mission to use adventure programs to facilitate community building, peer-to-peer connection, and self-discovery was an immediate draw for me. Having worked in outdoor recreation programming my entire adult life, I have been incredibly fortunate to witness the transformative power that these experiences can have for young people. I believe with all my heart that time spent having fun in nature with others is always time well spent. I love how On Belay seeks to meet the needs of the community, helping ensure that everyone in a family affected by cancer has resources to support them during their time of greatest need.

At On Belay, we are incredibly proud to offer our programs at no cost to families. We believe it is imperative to minimize any additional burdens on those who are already coping with so much. However, in order to continue offering the highest quality free programs to current and future On Belay families, we need the support of generous donors like you! Whether you can give $25 to help us provide nourishing snacks for our participants, or you're able to give $2500 to cover the full cost of one program, every dollar makes a difference. We are immensely grateful to everyone who helps support our families, and we truly could not continue this work without you.  

Thank you so much for your donation and for joining our community; we're so happy to have you here!

With my sincerest gratitude,

Sean Houston, Program Director