Leadership and Adventures: Mason Burke's ('17) Impact with On Belay

By Mason Burke, Class of 2017

I'm Mason Burke, and I graduated from Jesse Remington in 2017. I earned a Business Administration & Management degree and minors in Leadership Development and Outdoor Recreation Management from the University of New Hampshire. I currently serve as the Program Director of a non-profit organization called On Belay.

For those who might not know, On Belay is a super cool organization that supports youth who have a loved one dealing with cancer. As you may know through participating in JRHS Outdoor Education (OE), We believe outdoor adventures are a fantastic way to build resilience and confidence in these amazing young individuals. Our mission is simple - we want to empower these kids to discover their inner strength and show them that they can conquer any challenge that comes their way.

We've got a bunch of thrilling activities planned, from indoor and outdoor climbing to kayaking, hiking, and even overnight trips. These experiences not only bring so much fun, but they also create a strong sense of community among the kids. They get to meet others who truly understand what they're going through, and that connection can make a world of difference for these young people. One thing we're proud of is that our programs are free. We believe every child should have the chance to experience the outdoors, regardless of their financial situation. We're breaking down barriers and ensuring that nothing stops these kids from having a blast and building lifelong memories.

I want to give a big shout-out to Jesse Remington, who was generous enough to partner with us for our overnight programs this summer by loaning us the school vans for transportation! Thank you! If you want to learn more about the work I'm doing at On Belay, you can visit www.on-belay.org or read a recent article for goEast magazine here: goEast Partner Spotlight.