Orientation offers a chance for team members to get acquainted, learn about people with disabilities and participate in skills assessments, training rides and safety training to prepare them for the life-changing events ahead.

Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend the kick-off; however, it is important that any family or friends planning on coming to San Francisco understand that orientation is very busy and team members have meetings and training taking up a large portion of time. Most family and friends take this time to see some of the different sites in San Francisco. In fact, many team members and their families arrive early to sight-see. To help family and friends get involved with the team’s journey across the United States from day one, Push America has planned the following activities that are open to all team members’ family and friends who wish to attend.

Courtyard San Francisco Downtown
To help you plan your trip, Push America has reserved a room block at the Courtyard San Francisco Downtown located at 299 Second St. in San Francisco, CA 94105. The Courtyard San Francisco Downtown will be offering rooms at a rate beginning at $139 per night. If you wish to reserve a room at the group rate, please contact the Reservations Department via telephone at (800) 321-2211 by May 22, 2008 and ask for the Push America's group rate. If you have any questions about the kick-off in San Francisco, please contact Josh Sheffler at 704-504-2400 ext. 137 or by e-mail at jsheffler@pushamerica.org.

Journey of Hope Kick-Off Dinner
The Journey of Hope 2008 Kick-Off Dinner in San Francisco will be hosted by Push America on Saturday, June 14th. The Kick-Off Dinner will be in downtown San Francisco at Jillian's at the Metreon. Dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a brief program. We will end at 7:30 p.m. that evening.

Journey of Hope 2008 Kick-Off
The Journey of Hope 2008 North and South teams will depart for Napa and their first day of cycling on Sunday, June 15th at 8:30 am. Following a Kick-Off breakfast at the Golden Gate Bridge visitors center near Fort Point National Historic Site, the team will be departing to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and begin their summer. If you are interested in joining us for breakfast, please arrive at 7:15 am to allow plenty of time to eat and take photos prior to the team's departure.

Registration
There will be a minimal cost of $35 for the kick-off events to cover both dinner on June 14th and breakfast on June 15th.

To register with Push America for the kick-off events in San Francisco please click HERE.

If you have any questions about the kick-off events in San Francisco, please contact Josh Sheffler at 704-504-2400 ext. 137 or by e-mail at jsheffler@pushamerica.org.