Surrounded by the White Mountains of New Hampshire, long-time participant Kamisha felt a moment of freedom. As part of Waypoint’s Leaders-In-Training program, Kamisha and a group of her peers enjoyed a 2-day backpacking trip. At the end of that trip, the friends closed out the weekend by each throwing a stone into the river, with each stone symbolizing “worries we can leave behind.” Kamisha threw her stone into the river and later shared that through activities like this at Waypoint, she has been “free to discover aspects of herself that she never knew were there.” On this trip, Kamisha finally felt grit, determination, and perseverance—empowering her at home and on her many adventures to come.
Your support of adventures like these are making an impact on youth and adults with disabilities in our community. Give the gift of freedom and opportunity in 2023.
Kelley just finished participating in our 7-month long leadership training course (Leaders-In-Training) alongside her friends at Friendship Home. In the speech she gave at graduation, she reflected:
“I joined the group because I thought it would be fun … We did ropes, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and backpacking. We did it all!
“I learned that I could do anything I set my mind to. I learned that having special needs does not mean I cannot do what others do. Sometimes you need to work as a team to get things done but you can do it. We should all remember this experience and be proud of our accomplishments.”
Kelley is one of 9 others that completed this adventure-learning series focused on character development, goal setting and achievement, and perseverance. Congratulations to the whole group of graduates!
00JULIA SPRUANCEhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngJULIA SPRUANCE2023-09-28 14:00:192023-09-28 14:00:19“Friendship Home” Completes Leadership Series – one participant reflects on her experience
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
It’s the third year of the Waypoint Adventure Leaders-In-Training program. Young adults with disabilities are engaging again in 2019 with real-life challenges within a supportive environment and learning goal-setting and attainment skills. This is an ENERGETIC crew and we’ve loved watching them grow already. These young leaders are going to be contributing members of their communities!
The High Ropes Course started it all off in May. Each LIT had to decide how high they wanted to swing on the Giant Swing and rose to the challenge. All while their teammates pulled them up! Everyone started meaningful friendships off on the right foot through a shared experience together.
In June, we hit the trails of Ward Reservation in Andover practicing navigation and learning water-purification skills to prepare for the September backpacking trip. We started Life Stories too, where a few people in the group share their Life Story over lunch and we take turns over the course of the series. At the end of each Life Story, we have a call and response. Group: “We hear you”; Story Teller: “I am heard”; Story Teller: “Do you accept me?”; Group: “You Belong Here!”
In July at Harold Parker State Forest, we actually had to move our adventure up a few hours and cut it short due to the 100 degree heat advisory! What a hot July! But this crew toughed it out, learned all about kayaking in small groups and then had to share what they had learned with the big group and/or their paddle partner. This brought out real-life scenarios of needing each other. And on top of that, everyone was given the challenge of attempting the wet exit! With the hot day, several people took that challenge and flipped their boat over and then did a on-the-water re-entry!
In August, the LITs REALLY had to put their leadership to the test when young kids from the community came to learn kayaking from them! We did a quick refresher in the morning and then after lunch, everyone had a job to do or a skill to teach. Once everyone was ready on land, we all went for a paddle on the Charles River in Waltham with the kids in the tandem kayaks.
In September, we had our big backpacking trip in the White Mountains. This is no ordinary camping trip! Everyone comes to a Pre-Trip Meeting to go over the packing list and what to expect and then Saturday morning, bright and early, everyone arrives and gets a BIG backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and has to take group gear and tent pieces and fit it all in their bag. We drove up to Lincoln Woods in Lincoln, NH near Loon Mountain and hiked back to the Franconia Brook tentsites to set up camp, getting caught in a brief rain shower right at the end. We cooked dinner on camp stoves, purified water from the river, told the remaining Life Stories and slept in tents. It was the first of this type of experience for many in the group! We ended with a “solo” journaling time by the river the next morning and then hiked out and drove home. What a bonding experience for everyone!
And to end it all in October, we heard from 3 adults in the community with disabilities through a panel discussion talking about what life has been like for them as they’ve worked through the in’s and out’s of transitioning into adulthood. These 3 people, Kamisha Heriveaux, Melissa Bradley, and Zach Trickett have a lot of experience when it comes to navigating employment, living situations, social situations and friendships and had good advice to share with our LITs. Parents and siblings came too and afterwards, everyone got a chance to take on one last challenge and go rock climbing at Central Rock Gym in Watertown! One of the LITs, Harry, has some extensive rock climbing experience so he got to lead the group in learning some basics about equipment and how to use it correctly to keep you safe.
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.
Partnering with our friends from Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers on a series of adaptive rock climbing programs is a true honor and a highlight every year.
Grit, determination, community, joy, the “I CAN” spirit…the list goes on. These programs always bring together incredible groups of people who have the same vision for trying hard things and showing themselves and other people that their disability doesn’t have to keep them from an active and enjoyable lifestyle.
We just wrapped up this year’s group of Leaders In Training! This year-long once per month series of adventures is all about teaching and practicing leadership, but the friendships that form in this group happen fast and stick deep. Check out the big impact this series had last year! We designed another awesome and exciting year of adventures and we’re thrilled with the 8 LITs that totally bought in to the process of learning to be leaders through the essential practice of self-determination. Check out our monthly adventures!
We kicked things off with some teambuilding and the Giant Swing on the Ropes Course at Hale Reservation in Westwood in May 2018. This day was all about forming relationships within the group and building trust. A few rain showers didn’t stop us from having an awesome day guiding partners through minefields and getting out of our comfort zones by swinging like Tarzan through the trees!
In June, we practiced navigation and learned some important backpacking skills that will come into play in September like purifying water and hanging tarps. It was a HOT day in the 90’s at Ward Reservation in Andover, MA, but we got some great views of Boston and 2 LIT’s were the first of the bunch to give their Life Story to the group! Thanks for having us Trustees of the Reservation!
In July, LITs got an intro to kayaking at Harold Parker State Forest. Each LIT was taught different skills like fitting a life jacket, paddle strokes, and how to navigate on the water and then had to work together to put it all together. Daemon got a chance to teach how to put on life jackets, Anthony taught on-the-water formation, and each paddle partner got to teach each other effective strokes. Two more LITs gave their life story too!
In August, we put those new kayaking skills and self-confidence to use with some younger kids. Our LITs got to practice their leadership by teaching kayaking to some younger students. It was an awesome experience for each person to practice leadership in their own way. We split up roles, people signed up for jobs (like leading us through our opening schedule, making sure everyone had sunscreen and water, paddling a tandem kayak, and more).
In September, we did the big, brave program: The Backpacking Trip! This is an overnight in the White Mountains with no cell service, carrying everything in on a rocky trail, and spending the night around a campfire next to Sawyer Pond. It was a beautiful, chilly, fall weekend filled with moments of perseverance, bear-bagging, camp cooking, and camaraderie. What an awesome trip! Shoutout to our volunteers, Kyle and Paige, who have been with these LITs since the beginning and gave up their whole weekend to join us and help us! THANK YOU!
Our October “Outdoor” Rock Climbing day got pushed indoors because of freezing rain, but we spent time identifying some personal goals going forward. What did we want to work on related to leadership for the remainder of LIT? A few more LITs shared their Life Story and it was an awesome reunion after a difficult and exciting backpacking trip.
At the end of November, we held our Panel Discussion & Family Rock Climbing event at Central Rock Gym again. Two adults with disabilities were willing to share strategies and experiences they’ve had in their transition to independent living, housing, roommates, jobs, and autonomy. It was an awesome environment for LITs and parents to ask questions and figure out next steps after LIT. And of course, we capped the night off with some climbing where parents and siblings were offered the chance to try it too! What an uplifting night!
In January, after a month-long break for the holidays, we met up again at the Blue Hills. It was a COLD day so we didn’t stay out too long. We did a short hike, had hot chocolate, did skits on how to travel safely in the outdoors, and then stopped by the Blue Hills Trailside Museum on the way back to see some cool wildlife. Unfortunately, most of the animals, as you might expect, were sleeping.
And last but not least, to close out this year together, we spent an overnight in Durham, NH at The Browne Center of UNH. The Browne Center spans hundreds of acres and has several yurts on the property – one of which is large enough for a group like ours, complete with gas heat and two accessible toilets! We did a Ropes Course with Browne Center staff, had surprise pizza delivered on Saturday night (transported the 1/2 mile back to the yurt via sled) and then closed things out with a solo and ceremony on Sunday morning. Each LIT had a chance to examine where they were at in terms of the personal goals they had set along the way and also had the chance to reflect on how someone else in the group had done. We each took turns to say nice things about each other which resulted in some touching moments, tears, and ceremonial bracelets to symbolize and remember our time together. We’re looking forward to an awesome Graduation to celebrate this awesome group and the times we’ve had together at the offices of Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank, one of our generous LIT sponsors.
March 14th was our Graduation! A celebration to honor each individual for the contribution they made to this team and the challenges they overcame along the way. Parents, siblings, and friends crowded the room in the Boston high-rise of Wilmington Trust’s office – a proud sponsor of the LIT program and LITs gave speeches, received awards, watched a slideshow, and inducted the new LITs with a welcome gift and handshake. Anthony told the group, “it’s the hardest, but best thing you’ll ever do.”
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-03-03 14:43:282019-03-03 14:43:28Leaders In Training 2018-2019
We see it all the time, but it never gets old: Participants and their communities surprised at what they can achieve when they accept a challenge and are given support through that challenge.
Thulasi arrived for our climbing program with Best Buddies fully expecting to just watch. Her goals were social – she would just hang out with her friends from Cotting School, her new “Buddies” from Meadowbrook School, and watch others climb. But after engaging in the group activities and feeling support from her friends the option was presented to her and she changed her mind. Girded by the support of classmates and friends, Thulasi climbed to the very top!
Thulasi’s dad choked up in our closing circle. He said “I am constantly surprised by my daughter. I never thought she would climb! But seeing her at the top was a great reminder of what she is capable of.” Thulasi pushing her limits on the rock wall changed things for her dad that day. Thulasi’s confidence certainly grew, but so did the understanding of those that love and support her.
Waypoint Adventure and Best Buddies (an organization spanning 123 different cities and 14 different countries) are teaming up in 2019 for a 3-program-series designed to provide “Buddy” pairs experiences in trust building and real life challenges. Relationships that go deep are founded on trust and vulnerability and what better way to make new friends than on a challenging adventure where support is vital! Middle School pairs of students from Meadowbrook School and Cotting School were the first in this 3-program series and the kick-off was a resounding success!
We’re thrilled to be working with students like Thulasi and organizations like Best Buddies for the opportunity to break down misconceptions of abilities and barriers to access so all can experience powerful transformation!
Thank you again as always to Central Rock Gym for the space to learn and grow!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-02-27 17:00:032019-02-27 17:00:03Best Buddies; A Series Built on Trust and Accomplishment
We’re super excited to, once again, partner with Spaulding Rehab Hospital to offer 4 adaptive rock climbing programs throughout Greater Boston in 2019!
These programs provide a supportive and challenging environment for beginners and experienced climbers alike. During this program, you will be signing up for a one hour session where you will be encouraged to challenge your limitations and attain your goals – all within the framework of self-discovery and fun! Waypoint and Spaulding will provide all adaptive equipment, personal instruction, and trained staff who will support and instruct you as you experience the benefits and freedom that are found in this amazing sport!
All of the registration and logistical details are listed in the flyer below.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER VIEW OF THE FLYER
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-01-11 15:51:382019-01-11 15:51:38SIGN UP TODAY — Adaptive Climbing 2019!
