group homes Archives - Waypoint Adventure MA

Encouragement in action

September 13, 2018/in Group Homes, Kayaking, Series, Uncategorized, Volunteer

Sometimes, when sharing living space, it’s easy to lose your patience, forget to be kind, have grace, or altogether maintain cordial relationships. And when push comes to shove, you may lose your cool! Well, nothing is better for a group of young adults who all live together then to use challenging experiences to work through problems and build the team! Check out our day of kayaking on the Charles River with this group home from Specialized Housing, Inc! Thanks Paddle Boston-Charles River Canoe and Kayak for having us!

This group has been adventuring with Waypoint for the past 3 years now and we’ve seen them through some fun, exciting, but challenging days! Saturday was a cold day to be kayaking and the group pushed through some windy conditions – all with one word in mind… Encouragement. We told them at the beginning of the day, “if you do nothing else today, but encourage each other, that will be a success.” We told them, “you WILL feel those moments bubble up where you get a little frustrated or you may want to say something negative, but instead, we want you to say something encouraging.”

At the end of the day, we recounted times that were frustrating or challenging (like crossing the river into the wind, maintaining direction, working with a new partner, etc) and how that positive mentality of “encouragement” was helpful to push through. You see, it’s not until we encounter something difficult do we need to give or receive encouragement. Waypoint is all about providing opportunities for that to happen and we’re just thrilled to partner with a group home that values that experience!

Check out pictures from our adventure! And a special thanks to all the volunteers that came out to help paddle and build up this awesome community.

Hike in the Fells!

April 20, 2018/in Achievements, Group Homes, Hiking, Latest News, Past Programs, Series, Volunteer

Well, it turned spring in New England (we’re pretty sure), and the lingering cold hasn’t stopped us from getting outside. In March, we hit the Middlesex Fells with a close-knit group from Specialized Housing, Inc. Six adults who live together in a group home in Newton were up for the challenge and it all paid off as the sun poked through and we actually got an awesome day!

Our goal was to challenge ourselves (physically, mentally, and socially) while also take intentional steps towards supporting all members of the group. After some group initiatives like “Name Toss” and “Wompum,” the group set off towards Panther Cave near Bellevue Pond. Everyone started off with micro-spikes on their boots; however, after several minutes, everyone decided that they would trudge on without them. Along the way, the group encountered a river crossing that took all hands on deck to get everyone across. Check out pictures from the day!

After Panther Cave, the group was motivated to get to the summit of Pine Hill, which was home to Wright’s Tower and a beautiful view of the Boston skyline. With several steep hills and the snow and ice adding to the difficulty of the trek, the group (literally) went hand and hand all the way up to the tower.

As the group made their way back to the parking lot for the end of the adventure, they stopped at cement bench to debrief and reflect on the challenges they had faced throughout the day. All were filled with smiles and laughs as each volunteer gave a special shout-out and a rock to each participant to commemorate their journey throughout the hike and the bond they share with their fellow housemates.

All in all, the group pushed themselves to their limits and supported each other throughout. We can’t wait to see what will happen next with this group on their upcoming indoor rock climbing adventure in May!

We FINALLY got some snow!

February 27, 2017/in Group Homes, Snowshoeing, Support, Uncategorized

After waiting all winter for the snow to come to New England, it finally happened! Right after the Nor’easter, Waypoint and a local group home met in the Blue Hills for a beautiful, fun and challenging Saturday snowshoe adventure.

Right form the start, these residents connected with our staff and volunteers filling the snow-covered trails with laughter and good attitudes. Every time we looked around our group, smiles filled faces and funny stories were being shared. For many in our group this was the first time they had gone snowshoeing. Honestly, they couldn’t have picked a better day for it – we even enjoyed some steaming hot cocoa over lunch!

The trails were covered in snow from the big storm and we even got a new coating from a smaller storm overnight. The woods had that amazing snowy silence. Toward the end we took some time to veer off the beaten path and explore a quieter area of the trails where we had some great conversation about community and what it means to live together and share life….great insights were shared all around.

All in all, it was a great day to talk about the importance of our community and to enjoy the snowy winter that finally came to Massachusetts.

Enjoy the photos!

Life-Learning Alongside Newton Group Home

December 15, 2016/in Latest News, Rock Climbing, Series

Waypoint is teaming up with a group home from Specialized Housing for another exciting series of adventures throughout 2017! This home, started by a cohort of parents, found Waypoint in their search for more adventure opportunities and we’re really excited to embark on a few months of exploration and learning together.

The series kicked off this week with an evening of climbing at Central Rock Gym. Everyone came with great attitudes and excitement, so we got right to it. Each individual led the group in a stretch and some workout activities to warm up before getting on the walls.

Following the warm up we spent some time exploring different types of rock climbing equipment and their usage. We also did a few activities to frame the night, and the upcoming series of programs, around the concept of embracing challenge.

Residents who had never climbed before surprised themselves and each other by how quickly they saw success. Even the staff joined in and tried a few climbs. Laughing together and cheering each other on as they face challenges is one step on the path we hope to travel with these concepts as our stepping stones.

“It is because of support that we are able to face the challenges before us”, said one of the residents.

We’re excited to continue with these residents and staff over the next few months. Keep your eyes open for a post about our upcoming snowshoe adventure in February and check out this post about our kayaking program this past summer!

Last but not least, a big thanks goes out to Zoe and Jim for volunteering their time and being a part of our group!

“I’ll Never Forget Today”

August 17, 2016/in Kayaking, Open Enrollment

A cloudy Saturday and a break in the heat wave provided perfect conditions for a kayak trip out of Malibu Beach in Dorchester. Our group of adults paddled north along the Boston Harbor shore-line, past U-Mass Boston and all the way up to the JFK library. Once we rounded Columbia Point we were met with a stunning view of the Boston skyline! It was truly incredible.

Days like this mean a lot more to people than just a fun day on the water. Taking on the challenge of an ocean paddle while doing it alongside a community creates real moments for learning. We’ve seen it happen all summer!

One woman said it was a day she’ll never forget – a reminder that she’s capable of accomplishing so much more!

“I’ll never forget today!”

Thank you volunteers and tandem boat paddlers! Waypoint programs are impactful because of you! Sign up to volunteer on future kayaking programs.

Partnering with Group Homes

July 21, 2016/in Kayaking, Latest News, Uncategorized

Waypoint partnered with a Group Home from Newton for an exciting evening of paddling the Charles in Cambridge. Residents in this home and it’s staff, started by a cohort of parents, have been on the lookout for adventure opportunities; chances to learn and grow and build community and through a mutual friend, the connection was made. On Tuesday night, participants took in an illuminated city-scape from a new perspective (with a collective minute of silence too!) and learned about paddling in current, following boat traffic, and working with a partner in a tandem kayak. Our #summerofwaypoint theme was in full swing again. We asked each participant at the end of the night, “what was your Waypoint?” “what will be your memory or ‘marker’ that reminds you of learning along life’s journey?” One participant said she’ll remember “experiencing the city in a new way” while another participant, surprised at how hard it was for him, learned to “trust [himself].” Thank you to Friends of Magazine Beach for making this site so accessible and easy to use!