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

Breaking the "can't" Barrier

Briana McCarty, one of our many awesome volunteers was an active volunteer for SPLORE during the early summer of 2007. She shares her SPLORE experience...



The world we live in today expects less of people with disabilities. People with varying abilities constantly face the word “can’t” or encounter people who have lower expectations of them because of their disability. Luckily there are organizations, like SPLORE, that challenge this handicapped thinking. These organizations are dedicated to expanding cultural expectations of what people with disabilities can accomplish and transforming old stereotypes into perspectives of unlimited possibilities.

Here is an example of what I mean: An eight year-old girl who is blind went on an overnight whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River with her parents and younger sister. She was fearless in paddling Class I and II rapids, following the rhythmic chanting of her fellow crew members and the directions of her river guide. As the waves grew, so did her smile! She was having a great time. When her Mom shared her favorite moment of the trip, it was the transformational experience SPLORE facilitates through all its programs. “I never imagined that my daughter could be an active participant today,” she said. In two days, this family realized that they all had the same possibilities as any other family.

When confronted with the word “can’t,” I can only hope that all those who have been involved with SPLORE will look back on their experiences and know that they “can.”

A Musical Night

About a year ago, I was on the prowl searching for potential internships and came across this one website, “SPLORE: Outdoor Adventures for People with Disabilities.” I thought to myself, “Okay, this could be the one”. And sure enough, I got the pleasure to intern for SPLORE during the summer season and I could have not been any happier.

Why did I choose to work for SPLORE? The short version would be the statement, “Outdoor Adventures”.

Now for the long version… because I have a (so called) disability myself. Yuppers, you heard me right, I’m deaf. When I was a kid, I was often known as the deaf girl with the strange accent. Frankly, I was sick of it and craved for people to acknowledge other characteristics that I possessed, to look beyond my hearing loss. In my life experiences, it was always during the recreational pursuits where I became known as Cara, the girl who likes to make candles, go beach combing, play capture the flag, and just so happens to have the super power abilities to turn off her hearing whenever she chooses to (with a simple click I don’t have to listen to people’s talking to me anymore, hehe. Seriously, I don’t do that though. Really, I don’t.)


So why am I telling you this? Because SPLORE provides exactly this. Everyone is each recognized for the unique individuals they are (never mind whatever perceived differences they may have), walls are taken down, barriers are broken and people are recognized for their personality and skills they possess.


One fond memory of mine during my internship with SPLORE is from a river trip down on the Colorado River. When we first met the group we would be taking down, it was quiet and there was a sense of uncertainty in the air. As we rode down the river people realized that they were freed from boundaries they may have had, such as their chair, use of social skills, mobility limitations or whatever other perceived differences they may have because there on the river they weren’t recognized as a population with disabilities but rather a multiple mass of unique individuals. Everyone was called by their own and true names and were recognized either as good dancers or comedians, athletes, powerful with the water gun, creative in the arts, incredibly good at UNO, good rowers, and oh, I could keep going but I think you get the idea. I see it happen all the time here and it is just magical to see the barriers come down like dominos being knocked over one by one.

One participant I met on that river trip was Dolores, who has such a bubbly personality that just grew overtime. Dolores and I connected quickly because we both had one thing in common, our deafness. It was arranged that Dolores and I would be in the same raft and I could have not been more thrilled. We spent that day out on the river chatting, swimming and picking water fights with others. I learned what Dolores did for a living, got to know some of her friends and learned more about who she was. I also learned that Dolores was not someone you want to pick a water fight with because once you pick a fight with her, she never grows tire of it! She’s like the little pink energizer bunny with the batteries that keeps going and going and going and goin!… and she keeps going even if her unfortunate victim is already soaked to the skin (and of course these water fights were always welcomed by the other). Dolores was constantly dumping cups of water on us too -yes even us, her own teammates were unfortunate sometimes too! Basically, don’t pick a water fight with her cuz you’ll lose, guaranteed.


That evening on shore, Dolores became so integrated in the community and made a music instrument, made a beautiful tie-dye shirt, and enjoyed a delicious dinner with all of us. When dusk arrived camp-fire songs were played and Dolores was reminded that she couldn’t hear and got frustrated. However, with an invitation to feel the vibrations of the music instruments and to feel the amplitude box connected to the guitar she told me with excitement that she could feel the music. I cannot emphasize how special that moment was for both of us. To acknowledge what it’s like to feel the music and to be able to share that with everyone. From that point on, Dolores pursed a night full of music with everyone and danced the evening away until it became dark with the stars circling us above. I can’t say enough about that day, but that day was definitely a beautiful day.


So the magic of SPLORE? It’s not something that can be defined in a simple sentence or even a paragraph….


When reminiscing on my SPLORE experience I can only smile from satisfaction when I think about how much pleasure Dolores got out of the whole trip as well as myself. But not only her or me, but countless other individuals got to enjoy life with us during the warm summer either rafting, canoeing, or even climbing and each of them, everyone got to pursue a higher quality of life…. And that is the magic of SPLORE.


Cara Frank successfully completed her internship with SPLORE and she is about to graduate from Western Washington University with a degree in Recreation. Cara recently re-joined the SPLORE team as the newest AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Cara is the Community Relations Officer and she can be reached at caraf@splore.org.

The "Magic" is Mutual

“Wow, that trip was great. Thank you,” is a common compliment heard on several SPLORE trips. In today’s busy world, sometimes it’s easy to over-look the importance of such compliments, but SPLORE takes life at a slower and more appreciative pace, transforming everyone’s experience into something magical.

“Family and friends are always welcomed on SPLORE trips,” I remember telling one participant, ‘Jane.’”

“That’s great!” Jane replied. “I really think my dad will enjoy going with me. We used to raft a lot together when I was a kid, but we haven’t in years.”

Jane and her father would often raft, camp, fish and spend a lot of time outdoors together when she was younger. Their outdoor recreation time with one another was their bonding time together. Then, when Jane became a young adult, she was diagnosed as having schizophrenia. Her time spent outdoors with her father started to dwindle as her behavior and side-effects from her medications made it harder for her father to plan outdoor trips together.

Everyone met at Dewey Bridge for the rafting trip. Jane and her father came down early so they could camp out the night before; it was the first time they had gone camping in several years. The whole group was excited to get on the water and go rafting. Jane and her father were the first ones to hop into the rafts that morning. “This is going to be so much fun,” they both exclaimed. The duo enjoyed the scenic views of the Fisher Towers, the rowdy water fights, spotting great blue herons taking flight and skimming the top of the river, sleeping under the stars, campfire songs and getting splashed from the rapids. They enjoyed all of these experiences in the company of each other and all of the other participants, volunteers and staff.

All in all, it was a pretty common SPLORE trip, until the rafting ended on the second day. After a lot of fun on and off the river, it was time to say our good-byes. I was standing with Jane and her father on top of a hill. We were gazing off into the distance, taking in the dramatic views of the red sandstone cliffs with a storm rolling into the background and the Colorado River still rumbling below.

In an excited voice I asked, “Did you guys enjoy the trip!?!”

“Wow, yeah, the trip was great. Thank you SPLORE,” her dad replied in a whisper. He couldn’t turn to look at me when he said that; perhaps because he was too mesmerized by the beauty of southern Utah before him; or maybe it was because his eyes started to swell-up with tears as his daughter hugged his arm and said, “That was a trip of a life-time, thanks for coming Dad.”

SPLORE provides life-changing experiences to people with disabilities, as well as their family and friends throughout the year, but this time I realized I was a part of their experience and it in turn also gave me a life-changing experience.