- What different abilities do client’s have that participate with HILLS?
- How can I pay for a trip?
- I need to spend down my money fast! What can I do?
- How far in advance do I need to pay for a trip?
- Can I get a receipt or invoice?
- Do you offer scholarships?
- Can parents or care providers participate?
- What ratio of supervision do you offer?
- How do I sign-up?
- If I live outside of Colorado, can I participate?
- If I live outside of Denver can I participate?
- Where do we meet for trips?
- Can I speak to a parent, provider or participant who has experience with HILLS prior to signing up for a program?
- Can I meet the staff that will be on my HILLS trip?
- I need help taking my medications, how does that work on a trip?
- If I can’t pay for all of the trip at once, what can I do?
What different abilities do client’s have that participate with HILLS?
We have a very wide variety of abilities on our trips. We have some participants that live independently in their own apartments and hold a job, whereas other participants need 24 hour supervision and full help with all of their personal care needs. We have some participants that could run a marathon, and we have other participants that have no mobility and are in wheelchairs and need hoyer lifts to transfer them. Some of our participants need a 1-1 staff to client ratio while others do well with our maximum of 1:4 ratio. At this point in time, we do not have trips that divide people according to their abilities, however during any trip we may split up the group and staff according to interests and abilities.
Our preferred form of payment is a check or money order made payable to HILLS and sent to 642 Carr Street, Lakewood, CO 80214. However you can also pay with a credit card via Paypal on our website, or you can pay with cash in person. No matter what form of payment you use, you will always get a receipt in the mail approximately a week later, or if you are in a hurry, we can email you the receipt the same day.
I need to spend down my money fast! What can I do?
We can help you with this tough problem! Look at our trips lined up for the entire year and choose one. Then make a payment to HILLS and we will send you a receipt. If you cannot decide which trip to go on right now, you can make a deposit for a “HILLS Trip” and use that credit in the future once you have decided. You will then get a receipt for a “HILLS Trip.”
How far in advance do I need to pay for a trip?
A deposit of 50% of the total trip cost must be made to assure a spot on any trip and it is suggested that deposits are made at least 90 days before an activity. Trips should be paid for in full 60 days before an activity. You may sign up for any activity at anytime, however if it is within the 60 day limit the trip must be paid for in full at that time. If you would like to sign up for a trip within 30 days of departure please do not sign-up online, you must call the office, because occasionally there are additional fees due to last minute airline prices. You will be notified of the difference and asked if you would still like to participate. All spaces on trips are on a first come first serve basis and without a deposit we cannot hold a spot for any client.
Can I get a receipt or invoice?
Yes, both are available just let us know that you need them.
Yes! HILLS works hard to organize a variety of fundraisers each year for the purpose of raising scholarship money. We can offer partial scholarships for those that qualify. You can download our scholarship application under the “Forms” tab or we can mail or email the form to you.
Can parents or care providers participate?
In general, our answer is no, as we are trying to promote independence and socialization amongst our clients and give care providers a much needed break. However, if the person you care for has extremely intricate health needs, we can discuss with you the option of being a volunteer or staff on a trip.
What ratio of supervision do you offer?
We can offer a 1:1 ratio for clients at no additional cost, we just need to know that they need that ratio. Our highest ratio that we will have on a trip is 1:4, staff to client ratio.
Email or call us to sign-up for a trip. At that point we will email or mail you our consent form which needs to be filled out and signed by that participant, their guardian (if they are not their own guardian) and a nurse or doctor. Once you have mailed the consent form back, we will set-up a time to meet the participant at their house (if they live in the Denver area, otherwise we would do a phone call). To assure a spot a 50% deposit should be made 90 days prior to the trip date. If it is within 90 days, a full payment should be made. 2-4 weeks prior to travel, and itinerary with all of the necessary travel information will be sent to the participant. We will then meet you at Denver International Airport, or if you have requested door-to-door transportation, we will pick the person up at their house.
call us at: (303)875-9149 or email us at: info@hills-inc.org
If I live outside of Colorado, can I participate?
Yes! There are a variety of ways that you could participate if you live outside of Colorado.
#1 The ideal way is if you fly to Denver and then fly with the rest of the group to our final destination. Or if you fly into Denver for one of our trips throughout Colorado, we will meet you at your gate and go from there. We can help you purchase your ticket to Denver or you can choose to do so, but that airfare is not included in our trip costs. If you have never flown by yourself, don’t worry, you can have a flight attendant help you throughout your entire flight (additional fees are involved with this service and fees depend on which airline you travel with).
#2 If you have a group of friends that would like to travel together, we can accommodate groups of 5 or more people and customize a trip just for you. We will come to your city and take you on the vacation of a lifetime. Prices may vary slightly, but they would be similar to the prices that you see on our website.
#3 If you are a very independent person who has flown before, you are your own guardian and you have a cell phone, we could discuss the option of having you meet us at our final destination. However be aware that if there are delays for any reason (personal or weather related) we would not be responsible for the consequences those delays may cause.
If I live outside of Denver can I participate?
Yes! We have clients all over the state of Colorado and you too can join us! If it is a trip that requires flying, you will need to meet us at Denver International Airport. If you are not able to meet at the airport we can provide transportation for you at an additional cost. If it requires us to pick you up a day in advance then there are also additional costs for that service as well.
If it is a trip that does not include flying and you live along the route that we are driving, we can pick you up at no additional fee. If you live in a different area not along our destination route, we can also provide transportation for you at an additional fee.
For trips that involve flying we meet at the passenger drop-off section at departures at Denver international airport. The person driving does not need to park, we will meet you under the sign of our airline and take over from there. If you need door-to-door transportation to and from your house, we can provide that for an additional fee.
If it is a trip in the state of Colorado, or any trip that does not involve flying, we will pick you up at your house if you live in the Denver metro area. If you live outside of Denver we can still pick you up for an additional fee or you can meet us at our starting point.
For all day trips we pick-up participants at their houses and they must live in the Denver metro area or meet us at our office.
Yes! Just let us know and we will give you a phone number or email.
Can I meet the staff that will be on my HILLS trip?
Yes! In fact this is a requirement if you live in the Denver area. Once you have the Consent Form all filled out we will set up a time so that one of our staff can go to your house and meet the participant. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions, get to know the staff and feel comfortable, and receive your 2 free luggage tags!
If you do not live in the Denver area we still require a “get to know you” phone call with staff and if necessary the provider as well.
I need help taking my medications, how does that work on a trip?
There is always at least one staff on each trip that is certified to administer medications. For those that are not self-medicating, we will hold onto meds throughout the trip and be responsible for administering them. If you need a photocopy of our medical administration certification from the state of Colorado, please ask and we are happy to send it to you. Our Consent Form also includes a sheet where the participant’s most up-to-date meds and PRN’S should be listed.
If I can’t pay for all of the trip at once, what can I do?
We suggest that participants make monthly payments for trips that they are interested in participating in. As long as the trip is paid for in full by the date of departure, there is no problem.
