Event Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in SpiritWalk! SpiritWalk is a special experience and fundraiser created to benefit the University of Santa Monica’s Tuition Assistance Loan Program. On May 2, 2010, SpiritWalkers will gather in La Jolla Canyon by the Pacific Ocean in Malibu for a facilitated outdoor journey and celebration like nothing they have experienced before. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 5 p.m.
The University of Santa Monica is a pioneering institution of higher learning. Its soul-centered curriculum draws from the great advances in modern Western psychology and timeless spiritual wisdom to transform education as we know it. To support this extraordinary institution, SpiritWalkers commit to raising $500 or more in pledge donations from their family, friends and community and by using the fundraising tools and resources provided by the SpiritWalk team.
We hope this page answers all of your questions about SpiritWalk, including questions about participating in the event, fundraising, making donations, volunteering, and event day logistics. And of course, the SpiritWalk team is available to answer any further questions you may have. GENERAL DONATIONS FUNDRAISING EVENT DETAILS HIKING QUESTIONS VOLUNTERING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS GENERAL What is SpiritWalk? SpiritWalk is the first annual hike-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the University of Santa Monica's Tuition Assistance Loan Program. SpiritWalkers will participate in a unique (and we do mean unique!) outdoor journey that will inspire reflection and celebration. The event is being run by volunteers from the class of 2010 and the USM community with the intention of supporting current and future USM graduate students in financial need.
When is SpiritWalk? SpiritWalk will take place on Sunday, May 2, 2010. SpiritWalkers will gather at the La Jolla Canyon Trailhead in Point Mugu State Park at 8:30 a.m. for pre-hike registration and ceremonies. Please arrive promptly. The hike will begin at 9:30 a.m. After the hike, we will celebrate together with a special event that will include food, music, and fun. We anticipate the event will end by 5 p.m. Who can participate? Anyone (age12 and older)! We hope to see current students, alumni, staff, USM volunteers, plus friends, family, and supporters!
What about children or pets? Children age 12 or older who are physically able can participate, and we encourage you to have them register and raise funds as well! SpiritWalkers age 18 or older are expected to meet the minimum fundraising commitment of $500 or more. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the hiking route, per State Park guidelines. How can I participate? To become a SpiritWalker, simply complete your registration here. As a SpiritWalker, you will commit to raising at least $500 to benefit USM's Tuition Assistance Loan Program. You can also participate in SpiritWalk by sponsoring a SpiritWalker with a donation, by making a general donation, by volunteering, or any and all of the above!
What if I prefer not to hike? Register and join us anyway! You do not need to hike to be a SpiritWalker. There will be plenty of opportunities for involvement on the day of the event. You can spend time exploring the park, relax by the Pacific Ocean, support our logistical team, or if you prefer, simply join our fabulous post-hike celebration! Register now, raise funds and join us on this special day! DONATIONS How do I support a SpiritWalker with a donation? Thanks for asking! If you are here to support a SpiritWalker with a pledge donation, click on the Donate Now link or Find a Hiker link above and find the SpiritWalker's name and individual fundraising page. On that page, you will find a link to make a secure online donation. Online donations are strongly preferred. If you wish to donate by cash or check, just download and complete our SpiritWalk Donation Form and mail or deliver the completed form with your check to the University of Santa Monica, Attention: SpiritWalk, 2107 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5735. Please make checks payable to the University of Santa Monica. Please do not mail cash donations. Can I make a general donation to support SpiritWalk? Of course! If you would like to make a general donation or are not sure who to sponsor, just click here. Your donation will be added to the total amount raised by SpiritWalk and will go directly to the University of Santa Monica's Tuition Assistance Loan Program. How will my donation be used? All donations made through SpiritWalk will go directly to the University of Santa Monica's Tuition Assistance Loan Program, where it will be used to provide loans to students in financial need. Your support will make a huge difference in the lives of students and will support the University in achieving its transformative educational mission. Are donations tax-deductible? Yes! All donations are 100% tax-deductible! Each SpiritWalk donor will receive a receipt confirming their tax-deductible contribution. What is the University of Santa Monica? The University of Santa Monica is a private graduate school in Santa Monica, California, offering Masters and Doctoral degrees in Spiritual Psychology. Its pioneering educational programs are among the most innovative in the country. Founded in 1976, the USM curriculum transforms the lives of hundreds of graduate students every year. Graduates of its soul-centered educational programs are bringing spirituality and transformation into virtually every field of human endeavor, from the arts to law, business, medicine and the healing practices. To learn more about the impact USM is making in the lives of students and our community, take a few minutes to view the videos posted here or visit the University’s website. FUNDRAISING How much do I need to raise to participate as a SpiritWalker? Each SpiritWalker is expected to raise at least $500 to benefit the USM Tuition Assistance Loan Program. Of course, we support and encourage all SpiritWalkers to set their intentions even higher and commit to raising $1,000, $2000 or even more in support of our amazing cause! The SpiritWalk support team is here to provide tools, tips, and resources to help all SpiritWalkers meet and exceed their fundraising commitment with grace, ease, fun, and creativity! SpiritWalkers must raise a minimum of $500 to be eligible to hike on May 2nd. What if I don't meet my fundraising commitment? Only SpiritWalkers that raise $500 or more will be eligible to hike on May 2nd. The success of SpiritWalk depends on SpiritWalkers holding the intention and taking regular, consistent action steps to meet their fundraising commitment. Hold the intention, take action using the tips and resources we've provided, reach out to your network and community, and we believe you can and will reach your objective! If you encounter resistance, please consult our Fundraising Tips page, reach out to your SpiritWalk team, and/or contact our fundraising support volunteers for ideas, suggestions, and encouragement. Together we can make a difference! Can you give me tips on fundraising? Yes! We stand ready with lots of tips and advice. Please see the Fundraising Tips tab above or contact our fundraising support volunteers! Can I SpiritWalk with a team? Yes! We encourage you to register as a team with other SpiritWalkers. As all USMer's know, teams are a great source of support, ideas, and encouragement and will certainly help you meet and exceed your fundraising targets with grace and ease! To sign up with a team, go to the Register to Hike tab and follow the instructions there. Each SpiritWalker on a team will still be responsible for meeting his or her individual fundraising commitment. Teams will have the opportunity to designate a team captain to serve as a liaison between team members and the SpiritWalk support team. Will pledges to my team count towards my individual fundraising total? Yes! Pledges made in support of a team will be divided equally among the team members for purposes of determining individual fundraising results. Pledges made directly to an individual team member will apply exclusively to his or her individual fundraising commitment. What if one of my sponsors prefers to donate by cash or check? No problem! Just ask your sponsor to complete a SpiritWalk Donation Form and mail or deliver the form and check to the University of Santa Monica, Attention: SpiritWalk, 2107 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5735. Checks should be made payable to University of Santa Monica. Please do not mail cash. Will off-line donations get reflected on my pledge page? Yes. Our administrators will update your pledge page to reflect off-line donations. For administrative reasons, this may take several weeks. We appreciate your patience! EVENT DETAILS Where is SpiritWalk? SpiritWalk will take place in La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park, which is by the ocean just beyond the northern tip of Malibu. La Jolla Canyon is accessed through a large unmarked driveway on the north side of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), about one mile north of the main entrance to Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265). Our gathering place will be well marked. How do I get there? Here are driving directions to the La Jolla Canyon entrance to Point Mugu State Park: From the South/Santa Monica: Take IS 405 to IS 10 West. Proceed until the IS 10 West becomes the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Drive north on PCH to the La Jolla Canyon entrance, which is a driveway located on the north side of PCH about 1 mile north of the main entrance to Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265). The site is approximately 34 miles north of Santa Monica; 21 miles north of the intersection of Malibu Canyon Road and PCH; and 8 miles south of Oxnard on PCH. From Agoura: Take Kanan Road to PCH and turn right (north). Proceed north on PCH for about 8 miles.The entrance to La Jolla Canyon is a large driveway located on the north side of PCH, about 1 mile north of the main entrance to Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265). From Woodland Hills: Take Topanga Canyon Boulevard to PCH and turn right (north).Proceed north on PCH for about 27 miles. The entrance to La Jolla Canyon is a driveway located on the north side of PCH about 1 mile north of the main entrance to Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265). From Ojai/Santa Barbara: Take US Hwy 101 South. Take Rice Avenue/Santa Clara Avenue exit (located about 36 miles south of Santa Barbara).Proceed 0.3 miles then right on Rice Ave. Proceed 3.8 miles and then exit onto PCH heading south toward Santa Monica. Proceed about 10 miles. The entrance to La Jolla Canyon is a driveway located on the north side of PCH about 1 mile north of the main entrance to Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265). Are there parking fees? There is free parking at designated points along PCH near the La Jolla Canyon entrance. There also is a paid lot ($12) at the La Jolla Canyon Trailhead. Please arrive early so that you have adequate time to park and walk to the La Jolla Canyon Trailhead. Are there overnight accommodations? Yes. There may be a limited number of campsites available at the La Jolla Canyon Group Campsite for the nights of May 1-2, 2010. We will announce options for camping at this site as soon as possible. Reservations can be made at other Point Mugu campsites by clicking here. Check back here for listings of local motels as well. What if it rains? The event is held rain or shine, so be prepared for all conditions! HIKING QUESTIONS How difficult is the hike? The SpiritWalk route was selected both for its natural beauty and its relative ease and gentleness. The SpiritWalk hiking route is about 6.8 miles and is considered to be of low to moderate difficulty, with inclines at various points. The hike will take anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your individual pace. SpiritWalkers will have plenty of support and opportunity for rest along the way. Of course, hiking is an inherently risky activity, and it is the responsibility of each SpiritWalker to determine his or her own general fitness level and ability to participate safely in this event. The SpiritWalk team is available to answer general questions about the trail and to provide support. However, all SpiritWalkers are responsible for addressing questions or concerns about their fitness to hike with a qualified health care professional. All SpiritWalkers will be required to review and sign a release waiver before participating in the event. What should I bring with me to the event? Please bring adequate water and one or two protein bars or similar snacks to provide an energy boost during the hike. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are recommended. Lunch will be provided at our post-hike celebration. We will have designated safety officers in attendance, and we suggest wearing any medical alert bracelets and bringing any first aid or medications you may need. What should I wear? Wear shoes that are appropriate for dirt and rock trails and inclines. Hiking boots with ankle support are a good idea. It can be windy at the top of the trail; depending on the weather forecast, it may be a good idea to take a long-sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt on the hike. Please consult with a qualified trainer or health care professional if you have questions or concerns about appropriate attire or equipment in light of your specific physical condition. What if I can't finish the hike? If you decide to discontinue the hike at any time, a SpiritWalk volunteer will be on-hand to support you in returning to the trailhead right away. SpiritWalk volunteers also will be on hand to address unexpected injuries or other contingencies. How do I volunteer to help? Thanks for asking! We absolutely need volunteers for event day logistics, volunteers qualified as nurses, physicians, EMT's and in administering first aid, and much, much more along the way. We also need in-kind donations of food and supplies to support our event day celebration. Contact Elisa Perry at elisa.perry@att.net to volunteer. We appreciate your assistance!
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS Can I contact someone with further questions? Yes! If you have carefully reviewed the FAQs and your question hasn't been answered, please contact:
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