Here at Waypoint, we continue to enjoy outdoor adventures! In fact, winter hiking, biking and snowshoeing trips can be exhilarating and fun with proper clothing, the right equipment, a mask, and a bit of social distance. Let’s be real, even a stroll around the block on a gray day can refresh the mind and raise our spirits. We are excited to venture into the outdoors with you if you are up for the adventure! Our new online registration process is up and running – click on ‘The Adventures’ tab on our website to sign up or give us a call and we’ll find the best program fit for you and your goals!
We understand that the pandemic can sometimes make travel, or even getting out of the house feel challenging. The good news is that opportunities to virtually enjoy nature, as well as resources and inspiring stories are available at the tap of your device or computer. Studies have shown that even virtual nature can improve our health and happiness. Here are some websites and links to virtual adventures that might get you dreaming of post-pandemic outings.
Try a virtual nature hike or “visit” a national park at one of these links:
ProArtInc’s Virtual Hikes via the 4K Virtual Outdoor Hikes Playlist on YouTube – Immerse yourself in a trail for several hours, listening to the sounds of nature as the camera moves along a hiking trail at walking speed
As winter arrives and daylight grows a little shorter, the brambles and thorns of life might tug at you and try to hold you down or keep you indoors. Nature has a way of affording us a literal view of the forest through the trees. Science has proven that nature (even virtual nature) can contribute to happiness and boost our moods and state of mind. Come join us on a Waypoint Adventure; and if that isn’t possible at the moment, try experiencing nature virtually!
Please contact us via email or phone to let us know about other virtual nature experiences that you like or to request that Waypoint run a virtual experience
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
Over 1/3 of students at the Henderson Inclusion School in Dorchester have a disability – a much higher rate than the national average. The Henderson is a Boston Public School and it prides itself on it’s inclusion model – students with and without disabilities can all benefit from learning together! This is a school with a lot of pride and a lot of diversity and we love it!
Waypoint had the awesome opportunity to facilitate a mini-series for their Transition Classroom – students over 18 who are getting additional skills and supports before age 22. Our theme was “Problem Solving” and we prepped students in their classroom and at their school by introducing a Problem Solving method: 1. Identify the Problem, 2: Make a Plan, 3. Act on that plan, 4. Decide if your problem is solved or if there’s still a problem to identify. Problem Solving is something that is so relevant for this group to learn during this transition-to-adulthood time and this group was excited to learn and put it into practice the next day at the Rock Climbing gym.
Waypoint and the Henderson were also graced with the presence of a visitor from Panama, Virginia Nuñez de Alvarado on the day of the climbing program. Virginia leads the foundation, Fundación Pro Integración, a non-profit in Panama with the mission of helping economically disadvantaged children (and adults) with disabilities better integrate into mainstream Panamanian society. The foundation has an all-inclusive objective that all persons with disabilities are an important part of humanity and everyone has a valuable role. How perfect for these two worlds with similar missions to collide! Thank you for joining us Virginia and thank you Henderson Inclusion School for being such an awesome partner!
Check out pictures from this awesome series with The Henderson.
PS One Henderson student, Naieer, was recently featured in the award-winning documentary, Intelligent Lives, that re-frames intelligence and challenges the validity of the IQ test. Click link to watch the trailer.
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-05-22 19:31:112019-05-22 19:31:11Henderson Inclusion School
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 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!
We just wrapped up an awesome Rock Climbing series with LABBB Collaborative! It’s not often a group will contact us and say they want to do a focused series on one adventure-type in particular, but this school was all for it! They wanted to progress in their rock climbing and self-confidence skills!
LABBB Collaborative, based in Bedford, Massachusetts, serves students with disabilities from Lexington, Arlington, Belmont, Burlington, and Bedford and helps them reach their potential by integrating academics, social, recreational, and vocational services. This was year-two of an awesome Waypoint+LABBB partnership and 6 participants this year really progressed! We spent four Wednesday nights at Central Rock Gym in Watertown raising the bar for each individual’s level of challenge and working on autonomous decision-making. With ample time devoted to all the skills of rock climbing, each participant got a chance to learn knots, all about gear, and even belaying!
By the end of the series, students were working hard, implementing climbing strategies, and were responsible for their own knot-tying and equipment! It was awesome to watch this group form and progress in skill. Check out pictures from our series!
As always, we are so grateful for all our volunteers (Mary and Jim!) and our partnership with Central Rock Gym. Without you all, we would not be able to run successful programs!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-12-10 18:50:432018-12-10 18:50:43A unique series in skill-progression
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:
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
Eleven young adults – each with such unique stories, sets of strengths and challenges, personalities, and character – graduated from the Leaders-In-Training program on March 1st. It was a “waypoint” for all – a monumental marker along their journey. Parents were beaming, siblings and friends were excited, and LITs were incredibly proud of their achievement.
But to us, it was big as well! This was no typical program! It was the first time since Waypoint opened in 2010 that we’ve put together an intentional, goal-focused, extensive series for a specific population that is “Open Enrollment” style – meaning we formed a team from the public. And it was an incredible success! There are a million good stories or times we can point to and say “THAT was a moment that he/she grew…” but the BIGGEST, most impactful outcome was belonging.
Let me set the stage: The transition from youth to adult is scary for anyone. Even with the most solid support systems, it’s easy to lose confidence in yourself, lose sight of your preferences, get confused about what decisions to make, know when to take risks, etc. And it’s precisely why transition-age youth with disabilities – who aren’t given the same opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and take on leadership roles – have the odds stacked against them.
But our theme addressed this: “Leadership” is actually all about knowing yourself. Knowing who you are deep down. When decision-making opportunities come up or there are relationships to manage, if you know yourself well, you can trust your judgement and your preferences, rely on your strengths, or ask for help. In this LIT program, the curriculum was written around “learning to be leaders,” but it turned out to be so much more about knowing yourself and being known by others. This group formed quickly into a “family” and they used this word over and over again to describe the group… “We’re a family!”
On March 1st, on the 13th floor of a Boston high-rise at Wilmington Trust, the evening celebration began. With food and drinks, a slideshow, and view of the city, each LIT was given a new name honoring the ways they were “known” within the group. Several LITs shared about what they had taken away from the experience, and all received a certificate and gift. Also in attendance were the new LITs and their families – those that have been accepted into the 2018-2019 crew! The graduating class got to shake hands and welcome in these new and excited young adults.
Ryan Horrigan delivering his speech: How he has felt a sense of belonging in the group.
Shayda Tahmili and Sara Young share about the ways they became friends and what they have in common… The list was extensive!
Sara Frost shares about what she has learned from the LIT program… her biggest takeaway: confidence in herself!
An excerpt from Sara’s speech
Robert King receives his certificate. His new name was The Magnifier.
Sara Young receives her certificate. Her new name was The Connector.
Tessa Geomelos receives her certificate. She got the Mirror Award.
Ryan Horrigan and Chris Dunn welcome in new LIT, Daemon Tendler.
Will Haas welcomes in new LIT Anthony Curioso.
Sara Young and Kristina Gillis welcome in new LIT, Emma Ferrick.
A proud group standing together having just graduated!
All the LITs! The graduating class as well as the new class inducted in!
The big group along with Wilmington Trust. Thank you Carl Robinson, Rob Coly, Alycia Joyal, Josh Christian, and Timothy Wade for hosting us!
The rest are pictures from our last few programs. Below is our Outdoor Rock Climbing adventure at Quincy Quarries in October 2017. Everyone was assigned a specific partner that they had to work with for the rest of the day. On this day, friendships in the group really started to go deeper.
Next up was our Indoor Rock Climbing adventure of November 2017. This program started out a bit differently than most. Thanks to the gracious hosts at Central Rock Gym in Watertown, we held a panel discussion and all the LITs’ families joined us. On the panel were three young adults with disabilities who had leadership experience and could speak to the adulthood transition process: Melissa Bradley, Kamisha Heriveaux, and Jack Hanke. These three shared about their experiences getting jobs, finding roommates, balancing schedules, navigating relationships with parents, and gave good advice to our LITs who were working on figuring that stuff out! At the end, we all climbed together!
Our planned January “Snowshoeing” adventure turned more into an ice-hike in the 60s…. strange… but wonderful. We spent the day at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge practicing navigation, making decisions, and working together as a team.
Our last adventure was a full weekend up at The Browne Center at UNH. It was a perfect way to celebrate the culmination of hard work and personal growth. This group became a family. And no, that doesn’t just mean “they became great friends.” That means dragging gear on sleds to a yurt, burrito buffet by headlamps, a NEVER-ENDING, no-mercy Uno game, a chorus of snoring unlike anything you’ve ever heard, launching through the trees on the Flying Squirrel, trying to balance the entire group on a teeter totter, Robert hoarding the pop tarts, Zach’s mad libs, Ryan sampling the roast beef, and a heartfelt, honest, and beautiful bracelet ceremony. There’s so many memories to take away from this weekend and this series overall. But it’s the connection to purpose and investment in relationship that made weekends like this one stand out.
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-03-09 16:59:352018-03-09 16:59:35The First Graduating Class of LITs
