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.
Kamisha went on a recent backpacking trip with the Leaders-In-Training program. In an interview with Waypoint staff, Julia, this is what she had to say about her experience:
Q: How long have you been involved with Waypoint?
A: I have been a part of Waypoint for 10 and a half years. I absolutely love it. Waypoint is a huge part of my life and my family.
Q: What has Waypoint meant to you?
A: Waypoint has opened my eyes and shown me different aspects of myself that I hadn’t really noticed were there yet.
Q: What kind of aspects of yourself have you noticed?
A: As I was and still am navigating through life, sometimes I’ll say “You’re in a jam. What are you going to do?” And instead of staying down, I’m going to find a way out… Instead of saying, “No I can’t do this.” I think it comes down to dedication and perseverance.
Even though I may be having a hard time this year, I can say “I got this.” For me, it’s about pushing past perceived boundaries. I’ve been on two backpacking trips with Waypoint now. The first one showed what kind of strength I had. The second, [this recent one with the LITs], showed me how to communicate with people in certain situations. It’s all about community and connecting with one another.
Q: I heard on this recent backpacking trip with the LITs that you participated in a rock-throwing activity where you threw a rock into the river to figuratively leave something behind. Can you tell me more about that and what that meant to you?
A: That activity really put things in perspective for me. I told myself, “Kamisha, get out of your head. Stop and be thankful for the now. Be appreciative. Don’t worry about what’s happening later on. Focus on what’s around you.”
Usually when I’m home and back to reality, I have to go 110 miles an hour. I have to put my brain on work-mode. This trip reminded me to do self-care and take time to figure out what I want to do. How to reflect, be yourself, feel free.
Q: What sort of goals are you working on in your current stage of life?
A: I’m focusing on being more independent. I have relied on people for 29 years of my life. Trying to get away from that is hard – especially when you have loving parents like mine. I’m learning now to work on being heard and not being shut down. And that I don’t have to say yes to everything.
Kamisha’s story is one of many who are experiencing growth and freedom through adventure programming. Through access, community, and preparation from our team, Waypoint Adventure is freeing what’s possible. Volunteer, Donate, or Participate today!
00JULIA SPRUANCEhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngJULIA SPRUANCE2023-12-01 10:48:552023-12-01 10:48:55An Interview with Kamisha
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
On November 10th, 2022, families, friends, volunteers, and donors gathered at M&T Bank headquarters in downtown Boston for the special graduation ceremony of 8 young adults from the Waypoint Adventure Leaders-In-Training program. Program Coordinator, Carly Steinauer, led the evening with speeches, memories, and personal awards for each LIT. The joy and pride in the room was palpable – tears were shed and parents requested copies of the speeches afterwards. It was an incredible night!
We are so proud of each and every graduate: Brenna, Joshua, Paul, Brendan, Rachel, Ruby, Will, and Otto. You’re LIT Alumni now and forever!
A huge shout out to the LIT Captains who volunteered on most/all of the programs to help see this group through to the end of the series. Thank you Paul, Malika, Haley, Jill, Will, Tate, and Sofia!
Check out this video of the LIT 2022 Series and pictures of Graduation below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzn15T9T6QI&t=61s
00JULIA SPRUANCEhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngJULIA SPRUANCE2022-11-22 10:46:272022-11-22 10:46:27Leaders-In-Training is BACK!
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.
The Waypoint Adventure Graduated LITs set sail on the World Ocean School‘s 137 foot schooner, Roseway last week and it felt like summer launched alongside them. A 90 degree day turned 75 and breezy on the water and impressive sails against a setting sun over the Boston skyline made for the perfect night. Then add in the mix a bunch of giddy young-adults excited to be reunited and you have one hilariously awesome boat ride. Our Leaders In Training program is up to 19 graduates total now and most could come aboard for this Boston Harbor cruise on July 3rd, the day before Independence Day!
The Sauer family (Johann’s parents) made this happen thanks to their connection with The World Ocean School and other LIT families stepped up to help fund it. Thank you to all! And thank you to the awesome crew aboard the Roseway who taught us navigation skills, knot tying, how to raise and lower the heavy sails, and gave us a tour of their ship and living areas. Thank you for making sure we had a great time!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-07-08 19:57:172019-07-08 19:57:17Leaders-In-Training Set Sail
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
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
When Waypoint staff met this Leaders-In-Training crew for the first time in May at the Ropes Course, we looked at each other and said almost in unison, “….I can’t wait for the backpacking trip.” Five months later, this group of 11 young adults journeyed up to the White Mountains and took part in the type of experience that defines Waypoint Adventure. Immersion in the challenging and restorative power of the wilderness provides for some serious learning opportunities. We believe people discover big, important things about themselves – especially attributes of their character – during adventures, but it’s longer, challenging trips like these that let those skills really develop. Zach, Robert, Shayda, Sara F, Sara Y, Will, Adam, Ryan, Kristina, Tessa, and Chris all stepped out of their comfort zone and learned important life lesson.
It was cold! 33 degrees cold! But facing the challenges of a tough trail and a cold night strengthened our camaraderie and built confidence in each individual. If you can survive this, what other challenges can you face!? This weekend was a BIG deal for a lot of people and it was a joy to not only see these individuals “survive” but really flourish and have an awesome time coming together as friends.
On Sunday morning, each LIT participated in a 45 minute solo and reflected on this quote by Alan Watts:
“To spend a lengthy period alone in the forests or mountains, a period of coming to terms with the solitude and nonhumanity of nature is to discover who, or what, one really is – a discovery hardly possible while the community is telling you what you are, or ought to be.”
Waypoint’s version of this quote is:
“When you spend a long period of time alone in the wilderness, you are also spending time gaining a better understanding of what aloneness actually feels like – without other humans around. When you spend time alone away from other people, and the people on the other side of social media, you are also removed from their opinions or projections of reality. Only then can you discover who you really are!”
When our group came back together after solo, one LIT said “spending time alone helps you form your own opinion. It’s hard to do that sometimes when you’re constantly reading other people’s comments on Facebook.” When asked why it’s important to form your own opinion, he said “because then you can be unique and be who you are.”
These LITs are building their leadership skills, yes. They’re getting a handle on specific attributes good leaders have, sure. But the most crucial lesson they’re learning is how to be themselves – even when it’s hard – even when you have to make decisions. The very best leaders know who they are.
Each LIT participated in a one-on-one check in with a Waypoint staff on the hike down where we asked them to reflect on what attribute they knew they were good at and to decide on a personal goal for the remainder of the series. It was new to many to set a goal directly related to an attribute of their character, but the results were awesome! Can’t wait to see how these LITs will grow further!
The group gathers at Waypoint at 6am to for gear checks and final prep before loading the van. Here, we’re reiterating our goal of learning to be leaders and each LIT picked an attribute of a leader they wanted to set as their personal goal
Even before getting in the van, everyone committed to giving up their cell phone for the weekend and adopting a “Be Here Now” spirit – taking a break from technology, social media, and contact with friends/family.
A bag of cell phones – proof you can really spend a weekend without it!
The blurry, rainy view out our front windshield. The rain in Boston was a bit of a surprise and made us nervous, but once we got into NH, it stopped.
Robert and Zach standing with a life-size stuffed bear found at the Lincoln NH rest stop.
All the LITs at the trailhead suited up and ready to start hiking!
Collette, Skylar, Will, Dan, Sara Y, and Chris crossing a narrow high bridge right at the start of our hike
Zach and Robert posing in the trees – Zach with his never-far-from-reach Mad Libs notepad.
Most of our group taking a break on the trail. Several thumbs are up and smiles are broad.
Sara Y checking out a babbling stream below her from her spot on the bridge
Sara F and Adam R hiking together. Sara was a great sighted guide for Adam.
A view of our group on the narrow trail. Backpacks were huge – carrying ALL of our stuff.
Will and Robert look back at the stream they just crossed.
Chris being an excellent sighted guide for Adam R – leading him around a particularly muddy, wet section of the trail. Adam is using Chris’s backpack to guide him.
Dan, Sara Y, and Will hiking along… almost to camp!
Will, Tessa, and Robert smile at the camera. They’re excited to get to camp and put their packs down.
Robert’s knee got sore just before getting into camp. Zach and Kristina help get him the rest of the way.
With Zach and Kristina and Robert without packs, Sara F volunteers to take another! She’s wearing one on her back and one on her front.
We finally get to Sawyer Pond tent platforms and are getting warm layers on and setting up camp. The girls’ platform is here and the guys’ platform is in the background to the right. They’re setting up their tarp and will come over to the girls’ side after to help while the girls learn how to purify water, hang the bear bag, and start dinner.
Shayda and Will purifying water with a water pump and water from the pond.
Collette and Kristina cooking up some delicious rice and chicken pots!
All the LITs sit around an unlit campfire after dinner and Kristina is telling her life story. Robert is aiming his flashlight at her paper so she can see. Kristina and a few others shared their Life Story that night finishing up our goal of giving everyone a chance to share their Life Story.
It’s completely dark now and we’ve finished dinner, s’mores, and we’ve brushed our teeth. It’s time to put everything with a scent (food and toiletries) up in the bear-bag so no critters can get it! It takes a group of us but we finally haul it up out of reach.
Good morning! We think it was about 36 degrees this morning! A picture of most of the girls still sleeping at 7am under their tarp and snuggled in their sleeping bags. From Right to left (was) Julia, Sara Y, Skylar, Shayda, Kristina, Tessa, and (was) Sara F.
The sunrise coming over the distant mountains and reflecting off Sawyer Pond in the foreground.
After a 40 minute Solo time where each LIT sat alone and reflected on the importance of time spent alone, we start packing up camp. In this picture, Ryan and Shayda work together to stuff a sleeping bag back in it’s sack.
Robert pumping purified water into everyone’s Nalgenes for the hike down.
Zach, Chris, and Ryan have packs on, walking sticks in hand, and are ready to hike out.
Tessa and Kristina are bundled up and ready for the hike down.
Collette and Ryan working together to get Ryan’s pack fitting correctly.
One big group shot of 11 LITs, one PCA, and three Waypoint staff/volunteers before our Sunday morning hike back to the van.
And obviously a silly one…
Will, Sara Y, and Dan on their way out of the Sawyer Pond area amidst beautiful greenery, dark blue brook, and lighted sky with a mountain in the distance.
Adam R and Julia so close to the end – doing the final stretch without bags. Adam R is stepping over a big rock.
Will, Sara Y, Dan, Skylar, and Ryan cross the narrow bridge again to get back to the parking lot. Blue skies are behind them and stream below them. Leaves are beginning to change color.
The whole group eating lunch before loading in the van – pitas with hummus, cheddar cheese, and pepperoni.
One of our two vans all loaded up and ready to get home!
Leaders-In-Training 2017 kicked off in May on the Ropes Course and, now, at the end of the summer, they are halfway through and rocking it. Our big theme has been leadership – picking up leadership skills (both soft skills and practical ones) through repeated opportunities to take challenges – but the gleanings outside of leadership are innumerable. Read examples:
Sense of Belonging is strong: Every person has become a key component to the group. This group of young adults who didn’t know each other before the program are already becoming good friends. Texting each other, hanging out outside of LIT, and when one person can’t make an adventure due to a conflict, everyone notices and says how they miss that person. On one van ride, someone said “I miss Robert. He’s the funny one.” And everyone agreed. Another chimed in, “But Zach is the one who tells jokes.” And it was decided that these two had those roles. But then another, “I’m the one who likes cartoons.” and everyone laughed and agreed. Another said, “And I’m the one who’s into cars!”…a chorus of agreement. Each individual has a role – whether serious or silly that contributes to this team.
Trust and vulnerability is evident: Every LIT is getting the opportunity to share their “Life Story” with the group. Each person gets the floor for 6 minutes, usually around lunch, and shares about their upbringing, a person they admire, and between 1 and 3 big life challenges or events that have shaped them. The response from the group is striking – every team member listens with care and asks follow up questions. You can feel a change in the group dynamic as people get to know each other more intimately.
People’s big leaps are contagious: When one person really steps out of their comfort zone and challenges themselves, it makes others want to do the same. One young woman on our recent kayaking program was very nervous about being out on the water. She got to overcome that fear, but then was asked to assist in a “T-rescue” the process of getting someone back in their boat if their boat happens to tip over – a crafted scenario and not an emergency. She took on that challenge and later, the group was encouraging. One young man said he was inspired by her willingness to step up and do it even when he knew she was nervous. “It made me want to try something challenging too!”
There are countless more stories and exciting things that are happening on each program. Our lessons are taking an in-depth look at what a leader is and what they are not. I.e. Leaders look different; They are not always the ones who are the loudest, the ones in front, or the most confident in front of a group; They can be any one of us. And now we’re in the midst of looking at specific attributes of leaders. I.e. Leaders are caring, thoughtful, bold, willing to share about themselves, good listeners, and more.
Last weekend, our LITs got to practice their leadership skills with an authentic audience – STUDENTS who came to go kayaking (all between ages 6 and 12). Each LIT got a chance to practice their leadership skills – taking our group through a schedule for the day, giving specific kayaking instruction like how to put on a life jacket, keeping everyone feeling safe and happy, or just making sure everyone had on sunscreen and had full water-bottles. It was awesome to see them in their element and executing everything they had learned so far. Check out pictures of our last three adventures: a hike in the Blue Hills and two kayaking programs – one in Harold Parker State Forest, and one on the Charles River in Waltham.
6/25 Hike in the Blue Hills
Sara and Jessi (Volunteer) work together to support their team mate Sara
Jessi, Sara and Tessa are all smiles while posing for a picture at the top of the mountain!
Group picture at the top of the mountain. Beautiful blue sky’s and a view of the surrounding valley behind the group
Mike and Adam are helping Sara come down the mountain. Mike is in the front and has a big smile!
The entire LIT group is sitting around listening to Ryan tell his “life story”
Tessa and Adam are helping pull and push Sara’s chair and the rest of the group is behind them. Everyone is hiking down the trail through a beautiful sunlit forest.
Kristina is being a sited guide for Adam R. as they hike through a beautiful sunlit forest. Adam C., Sara and Mike are walking right behind them.
Adam, Sara and Mike are walking along the top of the mountain as they begin their descent. A view of the valley below them is beautiful and the sky is blue with white puffy clouds.
The group making their way across the rocky hilltop. Views towards Quincy and the South Shore are spectacular!
Adam and Kristina stepping carefully down the rocky descent
7/29 Kayaking in Harold Parker State Forest
Shayda and Chris partnered up to paddle together are getting their life jackets fitted correctly
Adam zipping up his life jacket while Sara F makes sure it fits right
Chris, Julia, Adam, and Sara F are in Group 1 – ready to learn about how to put on a life jacket, get in and out of a boat, and how to fit the boat to yourself
All the LITs partnered up and standing next to their boats listening to Adam talking about how to get in safely
The group paddle halfway across Field Pond and now take a break to eat lunch and a few will tell their Life Story
Sitting on a floor of pine needles eating lunch overlooking the pond and the pines
A description of our life story structure (1. tell us about your childhood, 2. Tell us about a significant person in your life, and 3. tell us about some major events that have shaped you)
Zach, Tessa, Robert, and Kristina in Group 2 learning about Paddle Strokes
Adam and Zach’s boat getting the lunches packed in the hatch
Adam Combs testing Group 3 on what they learned about paddle signals. If he points his paddle to the left bank, Sara Y is answering correctly… we should all paddle that way!
Sara Y and Robert’s kayak – all ready and on the water! Robert starts paddling away from the shore.
A view from the shore of all the boats out on Field Pond. Big tall pine trees set behind a deep green lake with blue skies and wispy clouds overhead.
8/12 Kayaking with Students on the Charles River in Waltham
Ryan and Zach are boat partners in the morning. They’ve got their life jackets on and they’re all smiles.
Adam and Chris are boat partners in the morning. They’ve got their life jackets on and they happen to match outfits!
Zach and Adam are helping Dan put tighten his life jacket straps in the parking lot.
Adam and Eileen are paddle partners in the afternoon. Eileen is paddling the back and Adam is paddling the front. They’re on the water with a thick row of trees and blue skies overhead.
Shayda and Dan are partners. Shayda is paddling in the back and Dan is paddling in the front. They’re long tandem, red kayak is just leaving the launch.
Shayda and Dan’s boat are doing a T-rescue. Julia’s boat did a purposeful capsize and now they’re pulling the boat on top of theirs to turn it upside down and empty the water. Julia holds the front the rescue boat as she waits.
Back on shore during lunchtime, Julia is talking about attributes of a leader and Tessa is adding her word to the board.
A picture of the board: It says, “A leader is… encouraging, caring, helpful, open to challenges, willing to share about themselves, keep everyone safe, fun, and aware.”
Our students have arrived! We’re all standing in a circle and Zach is going over our schedule for the afternoon. The students are kids between age 7 and 12.
4 students listening to Zach talk about how to adjust your footpads when you get in a boat. He’s sitting in the boat on land while the kids listen and crouch down next to him to see the foot pegs.
2 students peak way down into the kayak cockpit down at Zach’s toes to see where the foot pegs are
Everyone helps bring a heavy tandem kayak down to the launch! Ryan, Josiah, Shayda, Ellen, Tessa, Chris, and Sam all lift the boat together.
Josiah and Chris paddling together in the afternoon.
Sam and Ryan are paddle partners in the afternoon. Ryan gives a thumbs up to the camera.
Ryan and Sam back on land arms around each other – psyched that they got a great day out on the water.
Zach and Natalie are back on land and arm in arm. They were paddle partners and had a great time too!
A big group shot back on land with Josiah out in front holding a Goal of the Day: “to have a fun and safe kayaking experience!”
A group shot again and everyone making silly faces
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2017-08-14 19:33:382017-08-14 19:33:38Leaders-In-Training 2017, A Progress Report
