The David Cosman Award

The David Cosman Scholarship Award remembers David who was an inspirational member of the 2021 HoWL and Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies educator team. Over the course of the summer, David baffled HoWLers with riddles during wilderness expeditions and taught log-cabin fires, animal facts, and the fine art of backcountry cuisine. When he wasn't leading youth in Kachemak Bay State Park, David was forging trails for the new Inspiration Ridge Preserve and tracking the animals who called that land home. Whether David was climbing a towering rock face or examining a tiny lichen- or both at the same time- he was full of curiosity, humor, and enthusiasm. David's strong connection to nature brought all of his co-adventurers closer to the outdoor spaces and organisms around them.

In memory of the spirit that David brought to HoWL and Coastal Studies, the David Cosman Award celebrates youth who show passion and curiosity for the natural world. We encourage scholarship recipients to continue their relationship with outdoor spaces by offering the opportunity to participate in both a HoWL and Coastal Studies trip of their choosing, free of charge.

To apply for this scholarship you must be 12-16 years old and live in Alaska.

David was playful and creative, and you can be too! Show us your personal style, your interests and ideas, and how you connect to the world and to wilderness. Use your imagination! If you aren’t sure whether the idea you have for expressing yourself or answering a question fits this application, feel free to contact us. It probably is!

David Cosman Scholarship Application

Applicant Name

First Name

Last Name

Parent/Guardian Name

First Name

Last Name

Age

What season are you applying for?

Phone

(###)

###

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Applicant Home Town

You are on an outdoor adventure and you stop suddenly, excited by something. What might it be?

Identify a way that you are a leader in your community or family. Leadership can look like many things, including taking care of younger siblings or elders, supporting friends or classmates, harvesting or growing food, or volunteering in your community.

Through a creative project, demonstrate why outdoor exploration is important to you. Possible formats for this project include, but are not limited to, a film, music, spoken word, a written essay or writing of any kind, a cookbook, a design for outdoor equipment, a visual artwork, or any other art media. The following questions can serve as a starting point, but this project should reflect your personal relationship to the outdoors, so you do not need to respond to them. (Drop off completed projects to 708 Smokey Bay Way or send via email to howl@howlalaska.org).

What interests you in the outdoors?

Are there particular outdoor spaces you have a strong connection to?

Are there particular organisms you encounter outside that you are intrigued by or love?

How does wilderness help you to grow?

Please indicate the approximate date you intend to submit your complete application.

Want to donate?

In honor of David’s life and to help keep this scholarship opportunity available for creative and motivated youth, please donate to the David Cosman Scholarship Fund through the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies website!

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