Joe Younger Memorial Fund

Joe Younger was gentle, kind, loving & compassionate soul. The only thing he loved more than solo backpacking the WNC mountains were his family and friends. The memorial fund will provide scholarships to FSI students to participate in school-sponsored outdoor adventures. Each year, students in 8th grade spend 3 days and 2 nights at the Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, while 9th grade students undertake a 4 day, 3 night backpacking adventure in Pisgah National Forest. The school includes classes in Adventure Education and kayaking, and takes students rafting, hiking, and oh high ropes courses. Our goal is to introduce students to our beautiful mountains, sparking what we hope will be a life-long love of and appreciation for the outdoors. This scholarship fund will help all students engage in these experiences, regardless of their family's ability to pay.