A young man on a Somerville Public Schools hiking program experienced his first time in the woods! This group of high-school students has been doing an adventure series with Waypoint as a class and on a recent hike in the Middlesex Fells, we discovered it was Thomas’ first time!
Thomas’ school borders the Middlesex Fells Reservation, but it wasn’t until a partnership with Waypoint Adventure and access to an off-road wheelchair that he got to experience the trails, trees, leaves, dirt, and wind.
Thomas’ Physical Therapist said “This may be the most exciting thing Thomas has ever done!” Way to go, Thomas!
On this Giving Tuesday 2023, consider a donation big or small to make more firsts like this happen for members of our community like Thomas. Thank you for your support!
Thomas got to join his friends on their class field trip!
00JULIA SPRUANCEhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngJULIA SPRUANCE2023-11-28 09:24:202023-11-28 09:24:20Thomas’ first time in the woods
Max came kayaking with Waypoint for the first time in summer of 2018 with Newton Public Schools. During his first kayaking program, he felt nervous and stressed and did not want to go out on the water. Along with Max’s teacher, our staff encouraged him to try sitting in the boat on land to start. Over the next hour, Max slowly built up to being able to sit in the boat on land for one minute at a time, starting with 10 seconds, then increasing intervals. He never entered the water or held a paddle.
Each summer, Waypoint selects a goal to focus on across all kayaking programs. In 2018, it was the summer of courage. We celebrated Max’s courage to try kayaking, even though he never got out on the water.
Four years later, Newton Public Schools came kayaking again. Waypoint staff met with Max’s teacher ahead of the program and identified our goal for Max’s next kayaking experience: to have him sit in a boat, on the water, for a few minutes at a time.
On the day of the program, we met the group at Walden Pond and discussed our goal for summer of 2022: growth. When it was time to get into boats, Max blew everyone away. He calmly got into the boat, listened to a demonstration on how to paddle, and headed out on the water with the rest of the group, paddling with his boat partner as they enjoyed the sunshine and crystal clear water of the pond. We later received an email from Max’s family that read, “Max had such a great time and keeps talking about how he wants to go back to the ‘little boat’! YOU MADE OUR SUMMER!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!”
At Waypoint, we believe challenge leads to growth. We also believe in challenge by choice, meaning each individual gets to decide how they would like to challenge themselves. Max started with small steps, and through slow exposure, experienced huge success on his own terms. What started with courage, ended with growth. Max is already signed up for more kayaking this summer, and we can’t wait to see all the ways he continues to grow!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2022-08-17 13:04:182022-08-17 13:04:18Max’s Story of Courage and Growth
The following article was written by Khushi and Emma, students at Medford High School for their online newspaper. Enjoy! We sure did.
It was finally the day we were waiting for. Neither of us knew what was in store, but everything that happened that day was beyond what we expected. Before the hike, only one of us knew all the students in the Access High School Classroom, while the others didn’t know where the Access High School Classroom was located within the building. And certainly, we would not have gotten to know or appreciate the wonderful people there without the help of Waypoint Adventures, the CCSR, a Medford community-based organization that we are student leaders of, and Tonya Sullivan, Co-Chair of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).
We started off our Waypoint Adventure by gathering in the Access Classroom. We wrote our names on name tags. I talked with all the students there as I knew all of them, while Emma talked to a few students to get to know them better. And the other students outside of the Access classroom waited aside, as they were still warming up to the group. Nonetheless, the first activities started not outside, but instead, right within the classroom.
Essay authors, Khushi and Emma in the Middlesex Fells
The first activities started not outside, but instead, right within the classroom.
We all made a huge group circle that allowed everyone to come together and get to know one another. We went around and all said our names, grades, an activity we enjoyed doing in our free time, and a warm-up stretch (which everyone did).
The fact that there was a sheet filled with images of warmups and fun facts was greatly appreciated by everyone there, because no one likes being put on the spot.
The hike itself involved partnering up with someone that you did not previously know. But if you knew the person, it didn’t hurt to get to know them better! This was probably me and Khushi’s favorite part! My partners and I tried to find certain types of trees that the Waypoint staff challenged us to look for. One that Khushi and I specifically remember was the white pine tree, as it
had the most recognizable scent. The most difficult part was reading a map, but it was one of many life skills we all learned. At first, it was confusing, but everyone learned the tips and tricks on how to read it. When we weren’t looking at the map or talking with our partners, we were busy collecting colored leaves as one of our activities. Everyone was on the lookout for shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. If one group found a color that was not theirs but someone else’s, they did not hesitate to give it to them. In the group we were in, we were challenged to collect purple items found in nature, for example. This was quite difficult, but enjoyable as everyone was trying so hard to find purple! Towards the end of the hike, we created a mandala with all of the different colored leaves we collected. The mandala was not only beautiful to look at but was also tangible evidence of the group’s collaboration.
The fact that there was a sheet filled with images of warmups and fun facts was greatly appreciated by everyone there, because no one likes being put on the spot.
Throughout all of the activities, every single one of us felt a sense of belonging. The Waypoint staff encouraged the ideas of teamwork, support, and encouragement so much throughout the trip. Whether it was lending a hand when walking through a rocky section, communicating that there was slippery mud to the people behind you, or cheering each other on, everyone felt a sense of community that is uncommon to find on a day-to-day basis. This experience also allowed us to make new friends and connect over little things like shared favorite foods, colors, and topics of interest. On a more serious note, we know this allowed many of the students to break past some of the general perceptions about people with disabilities. For example, there is an inaccurate idea that one has to speak slower or more simply, but this is not true at all! No one should have to change anything about themself to fit in with others. Everyone acted as themselves, and didn’t let the other students’ ability get in the way of connecting. Instead, this allowed all the students to create friendships and understand one another, more than they ever could before.
As we wrote this article, we realized that it taught us many life skills in disguise.
We know that all the participants, including ourselves, might have only thought of the Waypoint activities as fun and a way to get to know new things about each other. But as we wrote this article, we realized that it taught us many life skills in disguise: understanding one another, reading a map, learning how to communicate, being yourself, and asking for help were some of the lessons of the day. Now, whenever we see the friends we made, none of us hesitate to say hi and start talking about the day!
https://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Medford-with-blur-scaled-1.jpeg17562560JULIA SPRUANCEhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngJULIA SPRUANCE2022-01-31 11:03:342024-04-09 17:01:02A personal reflection by two high-school age participants
24 Programs! Our biggest partnership ever! What an awesome year it has been with the thriving Special Education Department of Somerville Public Schools. Thanks to a Cummings Foundation grant the Somerville SPED Department received and the tireless efforts of Wellness Coordinator and friend, Caitlin Kelly, Waypoint was BACK in Somerville for the 2018-2019 school year designing and facilitating quality adventure-education programs for 19 different classes across the district. Social-Emotional Learning was happening on these programs: students immersed in problem solving scenarios, supported by the process of learning and community, and given the right to take on challenging experiences and we saw it in action – the perfect recipe for character building come to life.
These programs were not just work for us. The buy-in from teachers and administrators made this series a joy to facilitate. We even had volunteers come out on one program and come back again and again and again because of how much fun they had just being a part of these days! Shoutout to Jim Bradley, Sylvana Weinstein, and some awesome repeat groups from Definitive Cares and The Shady Hill School. This community is vibrant and excelling because of your support!
You HAVE to peruse some of the pictures below. It felt like a family photo album putting these together and laughing about ridiculous things that happened on programs and awesome students, teachers, and volunteers we met along the way. Here are some snapshots from all of the programs we ran with Somerville during 2018-2019:
10/25/18 Ropes Course at Hale Reservation
11/14/18 Hike in the Middlesex Fells
12/19/18 Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Watertown
1/9/19 Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Watertown
1/11/19 Hike at Prospect Hill in Waltham
1/15/19 Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Watertown
1/23/19 Hike at Ward Reservation in Andover
1/30/19 Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
2/5/19 Hike at Ward Reservation in Andover
2/13/19 Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
2/27/19 Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
3/19/19 Hike at Harold Parker State Forest in Andover
3/27/19 Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
3/28/19 Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Watertown
4/2/19 Outdoor Rock Climbing at Hammond Pond in Newton
4/10/19 Hike at Breakheart Reservation in Wakefield
4/24/19 Hike at Lynn Woods in Lynn
5/1/19 Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Watertown
5/15/19 Hike at Lynn Woods in Lynn
5/16/19 Hike at Prospect Hill in Waltham
5/23/19 Outdoor Rock Climbing at Hammond Pond in Newton
5/24/19 Hike at Breakheart Reservation in Wakefield
5/29/19 Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
And THANK YOU to all the students for participating, and the teachers and administrators that helped coordinate transportation, get forms filled out, opened the pool, and made sure adventure programming fit seamlessly into your curriculum. We believe it’s so important and it’s encouraging to see others agree. Looking forward to next year!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-06-12 13:31:012019-06-12 13:31:01It’s A Wrap! Somerville 2019
It started in February and ended in May: The Best Buddies program at Cotting School planned three different “Waypoint adventures” for three different pairs of buddies. The series was centered on group and individual growth and championed inclusion. Diverse students learning together and challenging themselves alongside one another promotes the best sort of growth. It was such a pleasure designing this series! Thanks Best Buddies for this model to live by.
The first program was open to Middle School students at Cotting School in Lexington and Meadowbrook School in Weston. Click link below to check out the story we published in February on this program and one student, Thulasi, in particular that surprised her peers, teachers, and even her dad!
The second program got out into the March cold and hiked at Cutler Park in Needham. “Capstone” students at Cotting School (Ages 18-22) partnered up with college students at Lasell College and hit the trails. The group had to work together to navigate the trails, stay warm, and participate fully. It’s easier to hike when you have company!
And last, but not least, we ended back at Central Rock Climbing Gym with Upper School Students from Cotting School and Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge. The goal was the same: use high challenge to facilitate connection between diverse students. It was an awesome end to this series we’ve loved and a great memory-maker for all involved.
Another school term in the books! Over the past year, Waypoint Adventure has had the privilege to work with over 13 special education classes from all over the Somerville Public School system. Seven program types were run (ropes course, indoor/outdoor rock climbing, indoor kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing and team building), which gave over 100 students the opportunity to experience adventure!
For most of participants, this was their first time ever going on a hike or rock climbing or to a ropes course. Roughly 92% of the students from Somerville that came out on an adventure program with us were experiencing that type of adventure for the first time. There is a real need to get more kids out in nature, on adventures and into their local community!
We are so grateful to have worked with such incredible students, facility, and administration this year at Somerville Public Schools. Thank you to all the volunteers and coordinators that made these programs possible and so successful. But…It’s not over yet!!
Thanks to a very generous grant given by the Cummings Foundation to the Somerville Public Schools, we are excited about the potential of continued programming with SPS!”
Here are some pictures of the last program we ran with Somerville Public Schools:
April 2018: Indoor Kayaking; Thanks for volunteering Definitive Cares!
To see our other posts about Somerville Public Schools, click the links below:
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 2 years since we entered into one of the most supportive and successful partnerships we’ve ever had. On June 21st, 2016 we moved onto the campus of Cotting School in Lexington, MA and it’s been hugely successful. The way it works is: We provide some after school team-building activities, occasional adventure programs and weekly vocational opportunities for their students and Cotting provides us with a place to call home; and what a place it is!
As one of the many added benefits, we get a chance to build relationships with students from Cotting, many of whom join us on adventure programs throughout the year. One example of this is seen in the fact that 4 of the 11 Leaders In Training participants from 2017 were Cotting students or alumni! Other benefits include access to Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and highly skilled Special Education teachers that allow us to seek advice, learn and improve the impact of Waypoint’s adventure programming.
We are so grateful for the amazing Cotting School community and the support they’ve shown us over these last few years. We’re looking forward toward many more years of deepening and expanding this partnership for the benefit of Cotting students and Waypoint participants!
As mentioned above, Cotting students work at Waypoint throughout the school year as part of the their vocational study. Students this year packed equipment and gear for programs, unpacked, took inventory, stamped envelopes for mass mailings, and more. To honor these hard working students, we did two hikes this June at Meadow Brook in Belmont. Check out these pics from our adventures!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-06-21 18:51:372018-06-21 18:51:37Cotting School + Waypoint = Strong Partnership
It’s encouraging to discover a community that embraces new opportunities so whole-heartedly. Teachers at Newton North High School have fully bought into the idea of adventure-learning and are pulling the strings to make it happen. From allowing us to bring kayaks into the pool to providing life-guards for the program, to going into the community to seek funding, Newton North impressed us and the students followed cue. Nine students from the Community Connections program came to the pool to fully embrace the exciting but scary experience of trying something new – kayaking in a pool!
This group challenged themselves in major ways. There was even a moment where each student was put on the spot to try to flip their boat over and do a “wet exit” while everyone watched and cheered. And everyone did it!
A huge thanks to Village Bank for funding this program and the volunteer team from Liberty Mutual’s “Serve with Liberty”. You’re helping make life-learning opportunities happen and contributing to a community that embraces adventure for all!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-06-07 19:17:572018-06-07 19:17:57A Community in Newton that cares about adventure-learning
For the second year in a row, students from Dallin Elementary School sought out a big adventure with Waypoint and the first time ever, we got to host it at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club. The Dallin School, part of Arlington Public Schools, values experiential education at it’s core. And especially in the Dallin’s Supported Learning Center, teachers, parents, and administrators have fought to make adventure-learning part of their curriculum. They see the power it has on their students! Even just one adventure creates opportunities for learning and growth that translate back in the classroom!
When Waypoint approached the Arlington Boys and Girls Club’s Aquatic program, their staff was all on board. We’re all grateful for a new place to run Indoor Kayaking programs and a space that students can come back to that’s in their own back yard.
Check out these students as they learned how to kayak in the pool. All while focusing on the importance of taking courage (one of the Dallin Core Values). We’re thankful for partnerships like these!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-05-02 19:08:432018-05-02 19:08:43Arlington Boys and Girls Club opens it’s doors
Transformational adventure programming is happening in Somerville! Roughly 100 students from across the district are experiencing challenging experiences and big, impactful, life-learning is coming out of it. Hiking, Rock Climbing, Snowshoeing, and Kayaking programs, all within just a short bus-ride from school are increasing self-esteem, self-confidence, and students are learning new skills. Check out pictures from some recent adventures!
December 2017 – Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Gym in Watertown
January 2018 – Snowshoeing at Prospect Hill in Waltham
January 2018 – Indoor Kayaking at the Kennedy School in Somerville
February 2018 – Teambuilding and prep for Indoor Kayaking
April 2018 – Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Gym in Watertown, MA.Thanks for volunteering Definitive Cares!
April 2018 – Indoor Kayaking.Thanks for volunteering Definitive Cares!
Thank you to Somerville Public Schools, Somerville teachers, aids, principals, and administrators for allowing us to be involved in your community. We hope the memories from these adventures stay with these students for a lifetime!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-04-10 19:18:422018-04-10 19:18:42Self Confidence is on the rise in Somerville
