Expert Village Video's on Adaptive Recreation

Viewed by millions of people around the world, Expert Village is a website of "How To" videos. In March 2008, Splore worked with a local production company (ProCreative) to produce videos on accessible and adaptive recreation for people with disabilities. The videos show how Splore sets-up and provides rock climbing and canoeing programs for people with disabilities.

Check out the videos at Expert Village:

Canoeing:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/141291_canoeing-disabled-3-points-contact.htm


Rock Climbing:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/141066_adaptive-rock-climbing-people-with.htm


Each video has written transcripts available and some portions of the rock climbing video have an volunteer ASL interpreter.

Kayak Adventure

In September 2008, Splore partnered with TRAILS to provide an Adaptive Paddle Camp for people who are paraplegic. Some participants came to a pool session to prep before the weekend trip. One participant filmed his experience, check it out on youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKwzA4C-8oE

Life as a SPLORE Volunteer

Carol MacNicholl heard about SPLORE's need for volunteers and jumped at the opportunity. She recently attended SPLORE's volunteer raft training and is now a certified SPLORE raft volunteer, whoo hoo! Carol plans on attending the rock climbing and canoe training as well and seems to be on the fast lane towards becoming a SPLORE-rrific volunteer! She shares her story about her involvement with SPLORE so far...

After talking to my friend about SPLORE, I realized that I was missing a sense of community in my life and I wanted to reconnect with nature. SPLORE’s need for volunteers sounded like the ideal opportunity for me to recapture these values in my life. So I immediately signed up for SPLORE’s volunteer rafting training in Moab on the Colorado River.

Typically I would not be as eager to take part in events like this because of my hearing loss. On a daily basis, trying to follow spoken conversation can be difficult to follow and the end result for me is sometimes frustration or a feeling of detachment.

However, I felt like I would get the support I need through SPLORE and naturally, I felt embraced by SPLORE. They gave me the opportunity to experience something new without restricted capability to perform particular activities. When rafting, I was one of the rowers in the back of the raft so I could see and follow what was going on. I felt like the staff and volunteers had an open mind and showed patience when communicating with me. I am very grateful towards all the people I got to meet that weekend on the river.

The highlight of that weekend for me was our costume party where SPLORE provided these hilarious dresses, suits, wigs, and whatnot. As soon as I put on my clown wig and wild tie dye pants, I felt goofy but at the same time it gave me a right to be silly. I felt like it allowed each of us to step outside of our box of expectations and just be our ridiculous selves.

(Carol is pictured on the right with rainbow curly hair)

SPLORE made the trip effortless for me and gave me a sense of freedom where I was able to occupy my rightful place on earth which just made me the happiest person. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that SPLORE respects each person and makes each person feel special.

All I can say to each of you....
Explore and find yourself in
SPLORE!

Increased Friendships

Jenny, a teacher from a local elementary school was invited to participate in SPLORE’s ‘Experience Your Abilities Program’ (EYAP). EYAP is a program that emphasizes inclusion by inviting a special education class with mainstream students to recreate together.

Jenny wrote a letter to SPLORE about the school’s experience with SPLORE and the magnificent results that occurred thereafter.

Dear SPLORE,

We had the opportunity to participate with SPLORE in the month of December 2006. There were some difficulties at first since we were a new school and we had to convince the principal to let us be part of SPLORE. The next challenge was to get teachers to let their students participate, but were unwilling to commit. Two teachers eventually agreed to let their students attend.

The activities were well planned and organized by the SPLORE staff, as well as tons of fun. I would like to tell you some of the great things that have happened within my class that is a direct result of SPLORE.

The snowshoeing trip was amazing and I saw many relationships develop because of the friendships formed that day. Rachel is a girl in my class that struggles with social situations, who had a great experience with the girls in our snowshoeing group. She has made more friends since and is now playing jump rope with these girls at recess.

Kyle is a young man with Autism who is often in his own world and has no need for social interaction. He was drawn into a snowball fight and interacted in social ways that he rarely does. He was laughing and enjoying relationships in a way that we encourage, but don’t always get from him.

Many of the regular students we took with us were unsure of the situation they were getting themselves into. A few of them backed out or were pulled from going with us by parents who were overly cautious. The great thing that happened is the students who went had a marvelous time and came back to tell everyone else. We were bombarded by requests, from students we did not know, who wanted to be part of the fun. I would walk through the lunchroom and kids I did not know would stop me and say “When are you going again and can I come?”

Our students learned more about making friends, in new situations. Our students with Autism were excited, maybe overly excited, and had some new experiences that increased their awareness of others. Terry and Aaron had a new experience with horseback riding and loved it. They talked about it for days after.

All of our students loved the experience and are asking about next year. We have benefited with an increased friendships within our school. Even other teachers have approached me to learn more about your program.

We hope that we will be invited to participate again next year.

Thank you for the experience,

Jenny

A New Hobby for His Son

After his son’s pediatrician recommended SPLORE, Eric decided to take a closer look at the program. Coincidentally, SPLORE was getting ready to launch their new Rock On! program designed specifically for children with autism. Eric thought the program might be a good fit for his son Jaden so he enrolled him in the eight week long Rock On! Program.

Jaden’s father shares that his son didn’t seem to respond to well to the team sports that he was previously enrolled in. He recognized that individual sports such as karate seemed to be a better fit for Jaden. So when Eric learned about SPLORE and their indoor rock climbing program, he thought it would be a good activity for his son. He found comfort in the one-on-one staff to participant ratio and the individual learning that would take place for his son.

The first day in the rock climbing gym was an exciting one for Jaden. He was a little apprehensive at first but with some encouragement from the staff he was soon hooked. His father articulates that Jaden’s level of responsiveness changed in a positive manner as he became more tuned into the activity. “He was more into the ‘now’ mindset” says Eric, “it was like he was on medication because he was so focused and followed guidance well.”

Eric believes that the staff working one-on-one with each child was truly the key to each child's success. “The staff had a variety of techniques that kept Jaden focused and motivated. Their energy and passion kept my son more driven than the average person would have been able to” he says. Attempts to rescue the stuffed animal high on the wall or to go off and hunt for the gummy worms were just a few of the staff’s motivating techniques.

Eric expresses that the Rock On! Program was a wonderful experience for his son and recommends it for other parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder. Since the end of the Rock On! Program, Eric has taken his son Jaden out rock climbing on the occasion. He hopes that his son’s interest in rock climbing will continue to grow and that he will soon be able to join his son sometime for a climb.

An Imprinted Smile

After moving to Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, Debbie was driving along the road when she saw a fleet of red and green canoes with “SPLORE” plastered on each side of the canoes. As an avid canoe paddler, Debbie was immediately intriguted to where the canoes were going and began her quest to learn more about SPLORE.

Debbie was thrilled when she discovered that SPLORE was an outdoor agency for people with disabilities and special needs. Having an older sister with a disability, Debbie appreciates the experiences SPLORE provides for people who may otherwise never have the opportunity to take part in. She considers herself very fortunate to be able to volunteer and help others enjoy life through SPLORE’s recreational activities.

Debbie met Craig on a rafting trip back in June of 2006 with a group of individuals with TBI’s (traumatic brain injury). During the trip down the river, everyone was engaging in water fights, jumping in the water, hooting and hollering except for Craig. Debbie noticed Craig’s facial expressions were indifferent, he had a quiet nature about him and showed little interest in joining in the river experience. After sitting in the sun for so long without getting wet, Craig expressed that he felt very hot. Chris, his river raft guide, suggested that he get in the water to cool down. Craig did not appeal to the idea of getting wet in the river and was adamant about NOT going in the river for a dip.

After moving to the shore line and with some gentle encouragement Craig started to open up. In a few moments, Craig was lying down in the river fully, immersed by the cool soothing touch of the water as the sun shined warmly upon him. At that point Debbie saw a change take place, Craig’s face had brighten up a great deal and he had a huge smile on his face from ear to ear. It was quite the smile, for it has been imprinted in Debbie’s mind ever since.

For the next hour or so Debbie sat on the raft next to Craig who happily lingered about in the water. Together they chatted as the waves rhythmically came in and out, causing them to rise and descend with the water. Surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature, the sounds of the waves gently crashing into the sandy shoreline and the red canyons standing tall behind them, Craig began to open up further. After spending some time together, Debbie learned that, before Craig’s accident he had been an avid swimmer thus explaining his adamant manner about encountering the water again. It seemed that Craig’s dip into the river brought back those familiar feelings of swimming that he holds closely to his heart.

Something that others may perceive as a small change was actually just the beginning for Craig. The following year Debbie saw Craig again on another SPLORE rafting trip. Only this time around he was a part of the crazy chaos on the river, taking part in the water fights, laughing, jumping into the river and taking it all in with a smile; something Craig once would have not done before.

Positive changes taking place is something Debbie takes pleasure in witnessing as a volunteer. She has continuously given her time and energy over the last two years on many of SPLORE's programs and overnight trips and has made many new friends along the way. She agrees that SPLORE grants people the opportunity to pursue outdoor adventures where many may have not thought possible. Like one participant once told her, “Everyone always told me no, you can’t, it isn’t do-able, it’s not alright but people like you at SPLORE have shown me I can.”

On a side note, Debbie often reiterates often that she doesn’t come out enough to volunteer; however, SPLORE thinks Debbie is letting her modest nature get in the way and that she truly is a knowledgeable and magnificent SPLORE volunteer!

A Family Adventure

This is the Joseph family who recently moved here to Utah from Las Vegas. Aaron is their eleven-year old son who has autism. This winter they decided to give SPLORE a try, to get out of the house and to do something new and adventurous. Aaron’s Father, Cole shares what they’ve done so far…

Indoor Rock-climbing

The program was seven weeks of rock-climbing, with the trained SPLORE staff, teaching four autistic children the sport. Each child had someone assigned to them, to set up their equipment, spot for them, and encourage them. To say this was a success is a huge understatement. Our son Aaron absolutely loved it. Trepid at first, every climb built growing confidence and experience.

If you live in Utah, and want to get into this sport, I highly recommend Momentum. They have spectacular facilities. They even have a great web site. They have some climbs that are stories high, with a large variety of difficulty and terrain. This allowed the SPLORE folks to tailor different climbs to match the climbing level of each child.

So everyone was challenged, and everyone experienced a pinnacle. Aaron was able to make the highest climbs. Multiple times, and rang the bell at the top.

Cross-country Skiing

Since our first experience was so great, doing a simple, one day event at Solitude sounded like fun. The weather was great, the snow was fresh, and the atmosphere was easy and gentle. This time, we had a mix of people with disabilities, and different ages. My wife, Debbie, and I had a great time. It was easier that we had originally thought.

Having a prepared area that is dedicated to cross-country skiing definitely helps.

Aaron was okay for the first hour, but I don't think he was thrilled with the bindings on his skis. When he'd had enough, he just started off into the snow banks, with Susie chasing behind. This is just one example of the selfless and cheerful care that we've seen with the SPLORE staff and volunteers. In no time, Aaron was laughing again.

It's not the skiing. The point is the experience with family and new friends, and that's what was what we enjoyed about the day.

Snowshoeing at the Spruces

Again, we did a first for us as a family. In the summer, the Spruces at Big Cottonwood Canyon Campgrounds is a camper-land. But during the winter, it's under a few feet of snow. We had a new set of people and volunteers. We even had people with special sleds, who could not walk.
Yet here we were, all out in the winter forest, beautiful scenery, and a warm dose of human compassion.

There was a moment when one of the girls had fallen over on her sled.
We were all there, helping out as a team, even having a good laugh. We had such a good time. We actually end up buying some snowshoes for the three of us, and broke them in this last weekend. Without our SPLORE experience, I doubt that would have ever happened.

In summary...

Our experiences with SPLORE have been absolutely wonderful. The thing we like about SPLORE is the chance to do something new in a safe environment. Being around people who are trained, who are specifically spending their time so that others can live a fuller life is a good feeling. I have a lot of respect for the SPLORE crew, and the other participants. Their hearts are in the right place.

Joining a SPLORE event brings out the very best in the human spirit.

And the biggest payoff of all -- the smiles!

-- Cole