GRAND CANYON YOUTH INC

During 2025, GCY facilitated 61 expeditions, serving 846 youth participants from across the country who spent 4,037 days outdoors. This represents a 3% increase in youth user days over the prior year. GCY continues to be one of the most affordable programs of its kind, charging up to two-thirds less than other river trips. Participants typically pay only 25-40% of the actual cost of operating the programs; the rest is funded by grants, contributions & special events. Additionally, in 2025 over $134,000 of direct financial aid was awarded to 423 youth participants, to help ensure cost is not a deterrent to participating. GCY strives to connect underrepresented and underserved youth to the river, including Indigenous youth, survivors of trauma, refugee youth, and youth who would otherwise never have such an opportunity. The focus of GCY's programs continues to be the educational & community service curriculum, while valuing the teachable moments that occur along the river, where learning is not an abstract concept for youth but something concrete & hands-on. During 2025, participants engaged in over 16,000 hours of community service, were encouraged to earn a portion of the cost of their trip, and participated in educational projects related to the cultural or natural history of the Southwest. A "community science" project is included on nearly every expedition. GCY is proud of and grateful for its collaborative relationships with the U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management, Grand Canyon National Park & the U.S. Geological Survey), Native American Tribes, supportive commercial river outfitters, various nonprofit organizations and dozens of schools and youth groups.In service to our mission and values, GCY would like to acknowledge that we are located on, and visit, the ancestral homelands of the Din (Navajo), Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Hoputuh Shi-ni-mu (Hopi), Hwal-Pai (Hualapai), Dilzhee (Western Apache), Wipukpa (Yavapai), Nuciu (Ute), and Numa (Paiute) Peoples, past and present. We recognize with gratitude the people who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial and the vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.