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Get Involved with The Summit Project

STEP ONE: COMPLETE! Thank you for your submission!

The Summit Project is a Living Memorial, open for the participation of everyone. TSP is really about building and bolstering community. We carry on the work of our fallen heroes — toward creating a safer, sounder, more just America. With every trek, we want to ensure that our heroes’ memories remain ALIVE. Through the TSP Non-Hosted Tribute Treks Program, We invite you to be part of this living memorial in any way that you can imagine. Just send us your ideas and we can make it happen.

The Summit Project Non-Hosted Tribute Treks Program welcomes teams of any size and any affiliation who want to carry stones, honor our fallen Maine heroes and sustain their memories. If you represent a group, have an idea for a Team Event, we want to know it. We invite you to be part of The Summit Project, and we thank you for honoring our heroes through this living memorial.

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STEP TWO: (The hardest step, bear with us!) Please complete the embedded form below. Please complete it as carefully and completely as you can. Be as precise as you can with dates and times.

Non Hosted HIKE Application -- The Summit Project

THANK YOU for choosing to be part of The Summit Project! Since Memorial Day 2013, we've been collecting stories and stones that uniquely represent our fallen Maine heroes and have allowed the communities they died for to honor them and remember them through action. We are honored that YOU are now part of this living memorial and TSP family! Fill out this form and you are on your way to being part of this LIVING MEMORIAL!

Welcome to The Summit Project and thank you for helping to ensure that Maine Heroes are NOT Forgotten!
Just to label this form and help us stay organized -- please enter YOUR LAST NAME in the box below in all caps, i.e. HAMILTON*
WELCOME to The Summit Project! Many of you are here for the first time! THANK YOU for choosing to be part of this Living Memorial. How did you hear about TSP? Why did you want to Get Involved?*
The Summit Project participation GROUND RULES
1. LOGISTICS FOR STONE PICKUP AND DROP OFF. Bottom line - If you take a stone, we need it back. There is a check out procedure to follow and the stones are at the Portland Maine Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), 510 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101; 207-775-3409; Pick up and drop off is your responsibility, and only during working hours (M-F, 0700-1400). DO NOT ASK to meet outside these times. TSP volunteers will help with this process. Please initial below.*
2. LEARN ABOUT OUR FALLEN HEROES. Unlike other community organizations, TSP requires that volunteers conduct research and learn something substantial about our fallen heroes. Wearing a t-shirt w their names is easy. Researching their character and why they served is hard. You promise to start by memorizing his/her name, rank, service and hometown. Watch the video testimonials from their family that are posted on this site under the pages of each fallen hero, then GO learn even more about that hero’s integrity, courage, personality and family. Please initial below.*
3. BEAR THE WEIGHT. You promise to treat the stone with respect. It is a living symbol of a fallen hero and represents the best in him/her. Each surviving family has carefully selected that stone and donated it to TSP. They are irreplaceable. During your trek, you must physically carry the stone, under human power over a distance over ground, feeling the weight and mass. When it gets heavy, think about the fallen and his/her family. This is why TSP is a living memorial. Please initial below.*
4. DELIVERABLE TO TSP. We ask you to take pictures and keep a journal of your journey. Let the photos and narrative tell the story of what you did and where you went. At the final destination, please take a picture of you holding the stone and send to (info@thesummitproject.org), and describe the setting in detail with dates, names, etc. By signing here you allow TSP to post these on the website. Please initial below.*
5. DELIVERABLE TO THE FAMILY. Within ten days of the end of your journey, TSP REQUIRES that all participants write a short letter and communicate your experience with the surviving family. You must share what this project meant to you because it will mean the world to them. One-half a page letter will work, be sincere, and be genuine. Please post these reflections on the hero’s page of the website (www.thesummitproject.org) in the comment box at the bottom of your hero’s page. This is one of the most powerful aspects of TSP and ensures their memory endures and tells the family that their loved ones are NOT forgotten. Please initial below.*
6. SPREAD THE WORD / SUPPORT TSP. Finally, you promise to tell others about The Summit Project and how we honor and sustain the memories of our fallen heroes from Maine. Share TSP with your family and friends. TSP a living memorial – it’s a sacred honor. There is NO other project like it in America! Please initial below.*
The above guidelines are what makes TSP work so well as a Living Memorial. You acknowledge and WILL COMPLY with ALL SIX of the volunteer guidelines above. Please initial below (one more time.)*
Name*
Prefix First Middle Last
What is your BEST email address -- we will contact you at this email address for the next steps of coordination, so please make sure this is correct.*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Phone*
Are you a US Veteran? If no, write N/A; if yes, provide more detail if you wish -- rank, service, years, unit, etc.*
Are you a student currently enrolled in a Maine based school of higher education. i.e. Community college, tech college, undergrad, grad school in Maine?*
Please provide the following information about your current student enrollment: Expected graduation date? From what school and campus? What degree/certificate/program?
Name of emergency contact*
Prefix First Middle Last
Phone of emergency contact*
Name of your event or general description of your event. i.e. Portland 5k run or family hike on Bigelow mtn.*
Date of your event. If more than one day, give the start date and end date.*
If the date of your event is within 10 days of TSP receiving your request, we may not have enough time to process your request. We have a tremendous team of dedicated volunteers, but we are volunteers and need advanced planning time. Please initial below that you understand.*
Specific locations of your event. i.e. start location, end location.*
If in Maine, in what county is your event? If not in Maine, write N/A*
Estimated total number of statute miles that you will carry TSP stones through your event.*
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.
Estimated total feet of elevation change that you will carry TSP stones through your event.*
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.
What is the total number of individuals participating in your event?*
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.
Assuming YOU are the TEAM LEADER, and if your party is 5 individuals or less, list the names of all those who will handle TSP stones*
If any members in your part under the age of 18 years old, you agree to gain parent/guardian permission and have them sign an athlete waiver on their behalf OR send written and signed permission to info@thesummitproject.org. (see Athlete Waiver question at the end of this form). Please initial below. If not applicable, write N/A.*
Any special considerations for your event? i.e. permits, regulations, hazards, etc. If none, write N/A.*
All stones are headquartered at the Portland MEPS, 510 Congress St. Portland, 3rd floor. What is your stone PICKUP DATE? (ONLY during working hours M-F)*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
All stones are headquartered at the Portland MEPS, 510 Congress St. Portland, 3rd floor. What is your stone estimated PICKUP TIME within a maximum range of two hours? (ONLY during working hours, 7am to 2pm.)*
After you are complete with your event, all stones MUST be returned to the Portland MEPS, 510 Congress St. Portland, 3rd floor. What is your stone RETURN Date (ONLY during working hours M-F)*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
What is your stone DROP OFF TIME within a maximum range of two hours? (ONLY during working hours, 7am to 2pm.)*
Will YOU pickup and drop off the stones?*
- YES
- NO
You said NO -- Why will pickup and dropoff the stones? Provide their name and number here.*
What is the TOTAL number of stones you are requesting to take on your event?*
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.
Which specific stones are you requesting to carry? Give the names of ALL of your PRIMARY requested stones here. If no preference, write NO PREF.*
If you did have a preference, why are you requesting this stone / these stones? What is your connection? IF no preference, write N/A here.*
If your list of PRIMARY requested stones is not available, please provide an ALTERNATIVE list or in the case that you are willing to allow TSP to choose, please write NO PREF.*
Other qualitative / quantitative information about your trek you would like to share. i.e. your first half marathon, or Katahdin climb, or your event is part of a work team building event, etc. If none, write N/A.*
If you plan to involve FUNDRAISING or MEDIA or VIPs – please explain in full detail here. Provide as much detail now as possible so there are no surprises. If not, write N/A.*
LEGAL WAIVER AND RELEASE FORM FOR EACH TSP PARTICIPANT. *** EVERY TSP PARTICIPANT MUST AGREE TO THIS WAIVER.*** FINAL LEGAL FORM FOR HIKERS ONLY -- Waiver and Release WAIVER: (must be signed) ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE SUMMIT PROJECT TRIBUTE TREKS CONDUCTED BY THE SUMMIT PROJECT AND THEIR RELATED EVENTS (“EVENT”) ARE REQUIRED TO, AND HEREBY DO, ASSUME ALL RISK OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT: The undersigned volunteer (“Athlete”) on behalf of himself/herself and on behalf of Athlete’s personal representatives, assigns, heirs, executors, and successors hereby fully and forever release, waives, discharges and covenants not to make any claim, demand or file suit against The Summit Project, any and all municipal agencies whose property and/or personnel are used or in any way assist, all sponsoring or co-sponsoring companies or individuals related to the Event, together with their officers, directors, shareholders, successors and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”) which arise out of the Event or any activity related thereto, and hereby Release the Releasees from all liability to, by or under the Athlete and his/her property or resultant death, whether caused by any act, failure to act, failure to warn, or any other duty of all or any of the Releasees or otherwise, in connection with Athlete’s participation in the Event. Athlete represents and warrants that he/she is in good physical condition and is able to safely participate in the Event. Athlete is fully aware of the risks and hazards inherent in participating in the Event and hereby elects to voluntarily participate, knowing the risks associated with the Event. Athlete hereby assumes all risks of loss, damage, injury or death that in any way arises out of participating in the Event or being on the premises related to the Event. Athlete agrees to the use of his/her name and photograph in broadcasts, newspapers, brochures, and other media without compensation, and hereby waives any claims of privacy or compensation related thereto. Athlete acknowledges that the entry fee paid is non- refundable and non-transferable. Athlete acknowledges and agrees The Summit Project, in its sole discretion, may delay or cancel Event if it believes that the conditions on the hike day are unsafe or for any other reason. In the event the Event is delayed or canceled for any reason, including but not limited to fire, threatened or actual strike, labor difficulty, work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, flood, unavoidable casualty, acts of God or the elements (including without limitation, rain, hail, hurricane, tornado, earthquake), or any other cause within or beyond the control of The Summit Project, there shall be no refund of the entry fee or any other costs of Athlete in connection with the Event. Athlete hereby grants to the medical director of the Event and his/her agents, affiliates, and designees, access to all medical records (and physicians) as needed and authorizes medical treatment as needed. Athlete understands that he/she has the right to refuse medical care and advice of Event medical directors and representatives; if Athlete’s medical condition becomes such that Athlete’s mental capacity is questioned, the physician has the right to recommend and initiate treatment of Athlete. Athlete agrees and understands that Athlete hereby assumes liability for any and all medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participation in the Event, including but not limited to ambulance transport, hospital stays, physician and pharmaceutical goods and services. Athlete warrants that all statements made herein are true and correct and understands that Releasees have relied on them in allowing Athlete to participate in the Event. PRINT YOUR FULL NAME BELOW TO INDICATE THAT ATHLETE HAS READ THE FOREGOING AND INTENTIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY SIGNS*
Last question -- Do you have anything else to share with The Summit Project? Favorite quote? What you hope to accomplish through your participation?*
Please PRINT your FULL NAME and today's date.*

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STEP THREE: We will be in touch to approve your event and help facilitate the stone pickup. Have fun and enjoy your adventure. Be safe. Make sure to follow the TSP guidelines for carrying the tribute stones. Remember TSP is a living memorial and we honor the fallen by challenging the living — we want to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

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STEP FOUR: At the conclusion of your tribute trek, we ask (and require) every TSP participant to compose a short letter, addressed to the surviving family of the hero whose stone your have carried that reflects your experience. The letter is your end of the bargain and your reflection essay, delivered to the families of the fallen, ensures that their memory stays alive. The letters mean the world to the families and reassure them that their loved one is NOT forgotten and that their loved ones can continue to influence the lives of others and inspire others to life a life of honor, duty, courage and sacrifice.

PLEASE cut and paste the text of your essay on the comment box of the PAGE of the hero you honored.

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Finally, there are even more ways to Get Involved with The Summit Project. If you want to take you involvement to an even higher level and you feel called to give even more, please read this hyperlinked document, TSP Priorities; How to Get Involved Today and contact TSP immediately.

Thank you for being part of this Living Memorial! Maine Heroes are NOT Forgotten. djc

Get Involved with The Summit Project

Non Hosted HIKE Application -- The Summit Project

Welcome to The Summit Project and thank you for helping to ensure that Maine Heroes are NOT Forgotten!

The Summit Project participation GROUND RULES