South Shore Archives - Waypoint Adventure MA

Winter Hiking with Brain Injury Support Group

March 2, 2019/in Hiking

Sometimes, noticing that someone has a brain injury is easy. Other times, it’s invisible. You would never be able to tell that someone had one. But regardless, people who have acquired Brain Injuries or Traumatic Brain Injuries experience challenges that are very unique. So when someone with a TBI wants to do something as simple as going for a walk in the woods, he/she may need some very simple support.

Trekking poles for balance
Someone to guide the group so no one get’s lost on the trails
Calls before the program and extra care during the registration process.
And someone to design the day with a strong sense of community and a path to success (quite literally) that leaves no one getting too frustrated or anxious.

The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes the support that’s necessary to be able to provide access to their parks and has sponsored Waypoint’s hiking programs. This was an awesome day with adults who had TBIs in Blue Hills Reservation. Check out pics!

Ocean Paddling with the May Center

September 20, 2017/in Uncategorized

On two beautiful Saturdays late this summer, we explored the southern end of Boston Harbor and Little Harbor, Cohasset with students from the May Center.

In August, thanks to a partnership with the Trustees of Reservations, we paddled from World’s End to Bumpkin Island. In the early 1900s, Bumpkin was the site of a school for students with physical disabilities, but after burning down in the ‘50s, the site is now just a pile of yellow bricks. These facts always provide fodder for good conversations. What do you think of a school for students with disabilities on a beautiful, isolated location like this? This paddle was a good challenge for our group and included navigating boat channels and paddling against the wind for much of our return trip.

In September, we had the very rare opportunity of paddling on Little Harbor in Cohasset. This is a magical spot and is only accessible via a narrow channel from the Atlantic Ocean or from one of the few, fortunate homes built around the harbor. The channel from the ocean would include navigating very strong currents and standing waves – neither of which our group was ready for. But, lucky for us, Waypoint has friends who own a home and generously offered our group the opportunity to launch right from their back yard! It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. Eight stellar volunteers joined us and we enjoyed a perfect day on the water.

In August at World’s End Reservation of the Trustees

In September, paddling out of Little Harbor, Cohasset

Dorchester Boys & Girls Club

August 30, 2017/in Hiking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Ropes Course, Series, Uncategorized

Every August, we host a week of adventuring and life-learning alongside the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester’s Inclusion Program. It was another awesome week with a new and excited group of teens ready to take on challenges and participate in fulfilling summer trips. This group was working on taking more positive risks as individuals and socializing well within constructive teams. Each day involved a discussion at the end about what challenges we faced, the supports that we used to meet those challenges, and then culminated in delivering compliments to everyone in the group.

This group was funny, encouraging, articulated their feelings, supported each other, and participated with full hearts and good attitudes. They were AWESOME to work with for 4 days of adventuring around Boston. Thanks again BGC Dorchester and we hope to see you again next year!

The Ropes Course at North Andover Youth Services

Hiking in the Blue Hills

Indoor Rock Climbing at Central Rock Gym in Watertown

Ocean Kayaking from World’s End Park in Hingham, MA

Spaulding Adaptive Sports Center Climbs at Quincy Quarries

May 10, 2017/in Open Enrollment, Past Programs, Rock Climbing, Uncategorized

Three indoor climbing programs from North Shore to South led up to this final day of a series with Spaulding Rehab – A day of outdoor climbing at Quincy Quarries. It was a beautiful spring day – the kind where a sun burn sneaks up on you – and athletes from Spaulding came for a day to try the sport of climbing or improve on previous experience.

One participant spent a grueling 30 minutes on a route and finally made it to the top! When lowered back to the ground she was pouring sweat and said in anguish, “THAT WAS SO HARD!” and then a pause… and a smile “…but I loved it!”

We’re continuously grateful for this partnership with Spaulding Rehab Hospital’s Adaptive Sports Center and are thankful we get to meet such awesome people. Thank you to all volunteers and participants who came out! Check out pictures of this exciting day and check out our Snapchat story. Follow us on Snapchat at @WaypointAdv for more.

Ready For Spring!

March 22, 2017/in Uncategorized

It’s an understatement for most of us. But for these climbers, “ready for spring” means they’ve taken on the challenge of Indoor Climbing and are now prepared to do it outside. Our annual partnership with Spaulding Rehabilitation‘s Adaptive Sports Center is a dynamic series that offers three different Indoor Climbing sessions and culminates in an Outdoor Climbing day at Quincy Quarries. Check out pictures from last year. We can’t wait for April 29th… (in more ways than one)! Call Spaulding to register for Outdoor Climbing at 877-976-7272 and reserve your slot!

We started this series in January on the North Shore and, since then, we’ve climbed at Central Rock Gym in Watertown and the Gleason Family YCMA in Wareham with incredible people determined to overcome obstacles and discover strengths. Check out pictures of these impactful programs:

Climbing at Central Rock Gym in Watertown:

Climbing at Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham:

Where were YOU on January 7th?

January 11, 2017/in Hiking, Series, Snowshoeing, Volunteer

If you live around Boston and you recall last weekend, it was a snowy one. Some parts of the region got 12 inches in just the course of a day! The Blue Hills Reservation in Quincy was no exception. Snow started there around 10:30am and accumulated almost an inch per hour.

But none of it deterred 20 hardcore, New-England-tough, Waypoint hikers. We braved the conditions and the effort was worth the reward ten-fold. On yak-traks and wheelchairs, we covered over 2 miles in about 2 hours and at one point just stopped and stood still to watch and listen. The forest was filled with wind and falling snow and this reflective moment reminded us of how glad we were that this group had the opportunity and willingness to come together for this moment. It was beautiful.

This was the 3rd of our 4-part hiking series in partnership with DCR’s Universal Access Program and another impactful program for many. Enjoy these pics from our day!