“The Grandfather Challenge” program is sponsored by The Jason Project, Inc., which was formed by the parents of Jason Matthew Nipper, who passed away in June of 2014 at age 26. This private foundation provides outdoor/wilderness and hiking excursions and similar programs which are designed to build self-confidence in struggling youth, as well as trust and positive rapport with adult mentors.

Because of Jason’s abiding love of the outdoors and mountain hiking, James & Cheryl Nipper established “The Grandfather Challenge,” through which middle and high school students, through a series of four weekly hikes, navigate all of the rigorous hiking trails at Grandfather Mountain.