Educate/Advocate/
Empower/Guide
Our Mission
The Jon Francis Foundation is dedicated to saving lives through wilderness safety education, empowering families who have suffered the loss of an adult loved one in the wilderness
Learn more about us
Wilderness Safety Training
Did you know...
That every day more and more people, many of them children, travel into the wilderness poorly informed and prepared? Many incidents of loss, injury and death could have been prevented had the person been better trained and better prepared.
Learn More
An Award Winning, Inspirational Memoir
By David Francis
Hundreds of readers have been inspired, moved, and engaged by this Award Winning Memoir:
Stillwater, Minnesota – Bringing Jon Home by David Francis was selected National Finalist of the 2011 Indie Excellence Award in the category of Memoir Writing.
On May 11, 2011, the book was recognized as a Silver Finalist in the Inspiration/Gift Book category of the Midwest Book Awards.
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Wetterlings Receive Award
Patty and Jerry Wetterling were honored at the 1st Annual Event for their exceptional service to the Jon Francis Foundation.
2nd Annual Event InfoWhy a Cairn?
A cairn is a manmade pile of stones, often in a conical form. They may mark the summit of a mountain or a memorial. Placed at regular intervals, they indicate a path across barren terrain or climbing routes. The Jon Francis Foundation (JFF), like a cairn, provides knowledge and acts as a guide to others who find themselves unwilling travelers on an unfamiliar path.
Wilderness Safety Education (WSE)
Did you know…
That every day more and more people, many of them children, travel into the wilderness poorly prepared? Many incidents of loss, injury and death could have been prevented had the person been better trained and better prepared.
We are in the business of educating to save lives because there is an unmet public need and a national public health problem. There are no local, state or federal public education courses on backcountry safety and loss prevention.
With the help of our community partners, JFF serves an at-risk population of backcountry enthusiasts (hikers, climbers, campers and hunters) who continue to go out into the wilderness inadequately informed and poorly prepared.
Read more about our Wilderness Safety Classes.
Foundation News
- The Father who never gave up. Kevin Giles, Star Tribune 13-Nov-2013
- Road races will recall 'selfless service' of Jon Francis 11-Nov-2013
- Minnetonka couple's dream canoe trip turns to nightmare 11-Nov-2013
