Frequently Asked Questions
These are answers to the questions we are commonly asked about Hope on the Rise and our retreats. If you don’t find the answers to your questions, please give us a jingle. You can find our contact information here.
Hope on the Rise Retreat Questions
Q. What is included in a retreat weekend?
A. Hope on the Rise retreats are offered at no cost to participants. Your only cost will be transportation to/from the retreat, and the purchase of a fishing license. Included in your retreat weekend are lodging, meals, instructional fly fishing, use of equipment and your guide. Hope on the Rise does not pay for the purchase of alcoholic beverages during a retreat.
Q. Do I have to have fly fishing experience to attend a retreat?
A. Absolutely not! Our retreats are designed for any level of fly angler (beginning to advanced), and most participants who attend have never fly fished or have little experience.
Q. What if I am not particularly interested in learning to fly fish but would like to attend a retreat?
A. That’s perfectly fine, though we’ll warn you that you just might get “hooked.” Our retreats center around teaching the essentials of fly fishing, but they are mostly designed to give participants a chance to forge new friendships, discover something new, experience nature, share experiences, and find hope and renewal.
Q. Do I have to buy or bring my own equipment?
A. No! Hope on the Rise provides all the fly fishing equipment you will need during your retreat. If you have equipment and wish to bring your own, that’s okay as well, but it isn’t required. We provide waders, boots, vests, rods, reels, line, flies, and all the accessories you’ll need for your retreat. And again, it’s offered at no cost as part of your retreat weekend. Awesome, right???
Q. Can I bring my pet?
A. Although our team members love critters, we don’t allow pets at our retreats. Certified service animals are welcome.
Q. Can you tell me more about the agenda for the retreat?
A. You can find a sample agenda here. Our retreat agenda is packed with (extremely fun) activities. We do our best to provide free time for participants to enjoy the lodge, the surroundings, and time with one another. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace and are not required to attend fly fishing sessions, though we strongly encourage attendance (besides, it’s too much fun to resist). The weekends are relatively fast-paced and are designed to give participants as much exposure as possible to fly fishing during a short period of time. As with most outdoor activities, participants can expect a fair amount of walking. Our staff will provide transportation to/from session venues as needed. Generally, the longest walk during a retreat is less than 10 minutes.
Q. What kind of accommodations are offered?
A. Accommodations are mostly shared rooms and shared baths. Our retreat staff will assign roommates (a lot of thoughtfulness is involved in this process). In some cases, accommodations may be on the 2nd floor. If you are selected for a retreat, you can provide details about your lodging needs on our participant information form. In addition, someone from our staff will contact each participant to discuss retreat details and to answer any questions.
Q. Will I be allowed to smoke?
A. Smoking is prohibited inside the lodges, rooms and buildings that host our retreats. We kindly ask that you smoke as far away from buildings as possible out of consideration for other retreat attendees and guests at the lodge.
Q. Do you allow alcohol consumption?
A. Consumption of alcohol is allowed during free time at the retreat. Depending on the lodge, alcohol can also be purchased at dinner. We strongly encourage responsible consumption of alcohol to ensure the safety of all participants, staff and other guests at the lodge. Participants can bring their beverages of choice for the retreat to consume at free time. Participants are required to pay for any alcohol they purchase from the lodge immediately following their meal.
As a note: No illegal drugs are permitted during our retreats.
Q. Can I attend a Hope on the Rise more than once?
A. Unfortunately, we do not allow a past participant to attend another retreat.
Q. What if I have been recently diagnosed? Can I still attend a retreat?
A. Absolutely! Our retreats are open to women at any stage, and with any type of cancer. Please do be aware that fly fishing requires a fair level of physical activity.
Hope on the Rise General Questions
Q. Are my contributions to Hope on the Rise tax deductible?
A. Hope on the Rise is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt organization under the 501(c)(3) section of the IRS. Your contribution may be tax deductible. Please seek advise from your accountant for details.
Q. What does my contribution support?
A. We’re very proud of the fact that Hope on the Rise is managed, and retreats are facilitated 100% by volunteers. This makes our organization unique from many. Your contribution opens the door for women to attend one of our retreats at absolutely no cost. Hope on the Rise provides all meals, accommodations, fly fishing equipment, instruction, etc. at no cost to our participants. Contributions also support promotional efforts, participant outreach, organizational compliance (registration with Secretary of State and good stuff like that), and supplies. We have no paid staff, no physical office, no stipends. We are fortunate to have a team of amazingly talented volunteers who manage the organization and facilitate our retreats. Period.
Q. Can I set up recurring contributions to Hope on the Rise?
A. Yes, you sure can and we would love that! You can set up automatic contributions using our secure online donation form here. Better yet, you can even opt to pay the credit card processing fees so that 100% of your contribution is invested in making a difference in the lives of the women we serve.