The summer of “I Can” is all about discovering more. Discovering what you CAN do, what your community can do, what’s possible, and what’s fun. We’re proud to be back for another year of MA DCR Universal Access sponsored programs and are grateful to be using beautiful Walden Pond for most of them. Thank you Walden Pond State Reservation for accommodating us so wonderfully. Participants, Volunteers, and Families, you inspire us every day with your love for kayaking and appreciation for our diverse community. Check out pictures of our adventures!
July 23rd at Walden Pond with Cambridge Street Upper School
“This will be the most memorable trip of the summer!” The staff at Cambridge Public School’s summer program are calling it now. “They did so much better than I ever thought possible!”… To be honest, we were surprised too! In the pouring rain, the bus arrived and every kid got off and was ready to go! Sometimes we forget that the bigger challenges are the most rewarding. Rain probably isn’t your top pick if you could pick the weather for your kayak program, but life’s surprises and a community that’s up for an adventure together create moments to never forget. We could NOT have done it too without the stellar support of volunteers from LogMeIn. Thank you all for your love of adventure and for not being afraid of a little rain 🌧. We all discovered I CAN KAYAK IN THE RAIN!
July 23rd Open Enrollment for kids at Walden Pond
July 30th at Walden Pond with Newton North High School’s Community Connections Program
July 18th was a very special day. Our kayaking program at newly renovated Magazine Beach in Cambridge had some big firsts! Several new experiences and accomplishments added up to one magical night on the water. Here’s the list.
1. Lydia paddled the back of a tandem boat with a participant in the front. This was her first time! Watch her talk about her “I Can” Moment: Lydia Paddles the Back of a Tandem Boat
2. A care-taker that came with a participant had a fear of the water. But he, too, embraced the theme of discovering what you can do and chose to paddle with us. Guess who he paddled with…. Lydia! Watch him talk about overcoming his phobia: Yinka Overcame His Phobia of the Water
3. We had a dog in a boat! This service dog was admirably obedient and brave for scooching all the way down in the cockpit of the boat seat his human was in. It was Sally’s first time kayaking as well! She learned that she doesn’t need ANY specialized equipment or kayak to go again on her own!
4. The Cambridge Police Department volunteered! Thank you Officer LeVecque for volunteering your time and bringing patches!
5. And last but not least, there’s NEVER been a bigger smile and happier-looking combo on a Waypoint program than Zach McLeod and his paddle-partner, Dave Su. Zach has the most infectious love for people and connecting with others than you’ll ever experience. (Zach’s been on Waypoint programs before, so this technically isn’t a first… but you get the idea). The McLeod’s just released a book “Hit Hard” about Zach’s football injury at age 16 and his family’s journey of letting go of what was and learning to live well with what is. You’ll read it in one sitting! Highly recommend. Buy it here.
There were so many more “Waypoint moments” on this trip. There’s just too many to mention. Check out more pictures of the program. And a shoutout to Friends of Magazine Beach, the City of Cambridge, and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation for constructing an accessible boat launch! Waypoint was honored to have consulted on the project so that more people with disabilities can access the beauty and serenity of the water and the fun of paddling with a community. Come down to the park for an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to open the launch on Thursday, August 1st at 9:30am… right before our last Magazine Beach kayaking program of the year!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2019-07-25 17:06:232019-07-25 17:06:23One Program With Many Firsts
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!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2018-04-20 16:12:082018-04-20 16:12:08Hike in the Fells!
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!
Waypoint Adventure makes kayaking programs accessible by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, selecting accessible locations, recruiting & training volunteers, and creating an environment conducive to all styles of learning and socialization. We couldn’t do this without the team effort of a Boston community passionate about creating opportunities for adventure learning accessible to everyone. Thank you community partners and volunteers for long term dedication to renovating docks and put-ins, funding the purchase of adaptive equipment, taking Waypoint kayaking trainings, and more. Scroll through pictures below of kayaking made accessible through Waypoint’s three main ingredients: Community, Access, and Preparation.
COMMUNITY
All of our programs are based on the belief that individuals and teams perform to be best of their ability when people feel a sense of belonging. We strive to create community on every program by stressing the importance of knowing names, discouraging use of cell phones, and relying on our staff’s combined decades of experience in group-forming, and so much more.
ACCESS
Our equipment supplier and partner, Creating Ability makes universal seats, stabilizing outriggers, cushions, transfer benches, and several different types of paddle adaptations. Thank you Creating Ability for your work in this field!
Universal seat-backs have adjustable width, tilt, and cushioning:
Outriggers provide stability and support. The boat virtually can’t tip over:
People learn when they meet the intersection of challenge and support. When they step out of their comfort zone yet have the help to do so, people discover new strengths and abilities, learn, and grow. We find that individuals get to this intersection by feeling thoroughly prepared to do so. Preparation at Waypoint is all about setting goals and providing context. From written schedules so everyone knows what’s coming next, to sending a “How to Prepare for a Kayaking Program” video ahead of time, to checking in throughout the program – our goal is create a sense of trust in our participants so that everyone can fully engage to however they desire.
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2017-06-09 18:03:532017-06-09 18:03:53Kayaking Made Accessible
We started! This Saturday was the first adventure of a year-long series with our LIT program and we were swinging indeed. At Hale Reservation (in perfect spring sun) we spent the morning laying the foundation for our series and building the team; and then dedicated the afternoon to the Giant Swing – where each individual LIT had the opportunity to take on a big challenge.
It’s a theme on most adventures, but the relationship between challenge and learning rings especially true within a series like this where the goal is right in the name – we are training (or LEARNING) to become leaders. Here at Waypoint, we believe that when we step into the challenge zone, we learn. The Challenge Zone and the “Learning Zone” are one in the same. Over this year, these Leaders-In-Training will be encouraged to step out their comfort zone, take positive risks, be given the freedom to fail, learn from mistakes, push through things that are hard, and step up to challenges – all while doing so alongside peers that support them.
The Giant Swing brings it all together. Each LIT steps up one at a time to get hooked into the Giant Swing harness while the rest of the group holds the haul rope. When the swinger is ready, he or she tells the group when to start and when to stop. And with a deep breath and a mustering of courage, he or she pulls the cord and disconnects from the haul rope sending them swinging through the air.
Henry Moses, former Freshman Dean at Harvard University and Founder of the First Year Outdoor Program summarizes it well:
“Learning is hard; learning is messy; learning happens when you’re uncomfortable and would rather be doing almost anything else. But we do learn and we learn most effectively when we face challenges with other people who support us and whom we learn to support. And that’s when learning becomes joyous.” – Henry Moses
Learning became joyous this past weekend. You could see it on the faces of everyone mid-swing and the feeling of being accepted and loved by their group. We are thrilled to work with this fun, supportive, and adventurous group over the course of this year and we hope you’ll follow along too! Check out our vidoe of the day posted on youtube.com and if you haven’t already, start following us on Snapchat at @WaypointAdv (We’re also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram :).
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2017-05-25 15:05:142017-05-25 15:05:14Leaders-In-Training is in Full Swing
With great community comes great opportunity. This community from Newton already has a few Waypoint adventures under their belts, and you can tell that their community is getting stronger and stronger. Earlier this month, the group home of young adults had another opportunity to work together and overcome challenges while hiking in the Blue Hills.
When the decision was posed to the group on which way to go, this group decided to try a new trail and it turned out to be fairly difficult! We realized that we all need each other in order to succeed! Some steep sections and rock scrambles required focus, determination, and lots of support, but the view on top of Tucker Hill was well worth it. When we can feel safe within a community of responsible, bought-in peers and know that we have the freedom to try new things, we have the opportunity to overcome obstacles. Can’t wait to adventure with this group more in the coming months!
Exploring the idea of what everyone brings to the team
Learning how to read the map and stick to it!
We made it!
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2017-04-26 16:55:252017-04-26 16:55:25With Great Community Comes Great Opportunity
Read below for one man’s take on steering a kayak for the first time. Bob Hachey is a member of the Bay State Council of the Blind and has always paddled in the front of a two-person kayak. The day he recounts below was his first kayaking program with Waypoint in 2015 when he finally had the opportunity to sit in the back! The above picture is of Bob and his paddle-partner Andrea taken in 2016 on the Charles River where Bob is practicing his new-found skill for steering despite being totally blind.
From BayLines Fall 2015 Newsletter for Bay State Council of the Blind:
On a perfect July day, I embarked upon a kayaking trip with an organization called Waypoint Adventure. The boats were launched into the Charles River in my home town of Waltham. I had been on many kayak trips before and was looking forward to a relaxing time out on the water, and, perhaps a bit of power kayaking.
But this trip went far beyond my expectations. My usual trips consisted of one to two hour treks through various waterways. But something felt different right from the start on this day. Others on the trip included four persons with a variety of disabilities and a number of volunteers as well as two representatives of Waypoint Adventure. The organizers asked all of us to introduce ourselves, lead the group in a stretching exercise, and tell the group what we might like to learn about kayaking on this date. I latched onto the third of these requests. All of my time spent in a two-person kayak was spent at the front of the kayak as a power paddler. The person in the back does the steering and I’d always wanted to learn how to steer a kayak. Upon mentioning this during my introduction, I was happy to hear encouragement from the trip organizers. One of them came up behind me with a paddle with a couple of unusual tactile markings which made it very easy for me to be sure that my paddle would always be in the optimal position for best results. This was something new for me as keeping the paddle in the correct position had always been a bit of a struggle. He then showed me in detail two methods for steering a kayak. At first, I said that maybe I should let my sighted volunteer steer until we got out into open water, but he assured me that I could steer the boat right from the start.
So, off we went. I was surprised how easily I caught on to steering the boat. After I got comfortable steering the boat, they asked me to try to follow one of the other kayaks by listening to the sound of the person’s voice. At first, this was difficult; it seemed like I was not able to turn the boat quickly enough to stay on track. But after a bit of trial and error, I was able to follow the boat just by listening to the voice. I was never told when the other boat was going to turn. Within one hour, I actually mastered the art of steering a kayak! At one point, we all gathered in the middle of the river and the organizers demonstrated how to roll the kayak without falling out and how to recover if you do fall out of a tipping kayak. On the way back to our launch point, I did get in a bit of power kayaking.
From now on, when I go kayaking, I’m going to be sitting in the back and steering the boat with instructions from my wife or my sighted volunteer. My wife will be happy that she no longer needs to steer the boat. The next time we go out, I’ll be teaching her some of the techniques I learned that day. When I stepped out of that kayak, I felt like I was walking on air. For those of you who enjoy boating, hiking or mountain climbing, I highly recommend Waypoint Adventure.
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2016-08-19 13:34:072016-08-19 13:34:07“Steering My Way Toward Boating Accessibility” by Bob Hachey
Leaders-In-Training Series concluded last Friday and our awesome group of leaders walked away with new friendships and real-life decision-making experience. We started with a hike in the 90 degree heat – deciding on which route to take in the Blue Hills and discussing the role a leader has in any group or team – assisting the group reach an agreed-upon goal. Thursday, we talked about the qualities of a leader and how they help – what decisions we make to ensure the group is safe, needs are met, and everyone feels supported. At the boat launch, each LIT then paired up with one of our volunteer students and made sure they were ready, safe, and having fun as we paddled in tandem kayaks. And on Friday, we revisited our goal: Learning to be leaders requires courage and the willingness to take a risk – to try something you’ve never done before. ALL LIT’s took the final challenge of rappelling off a 40 foot cliff! It was a really impactful week for everyone and Waypoint looks forward to utilizing the fabulous leadership of these LIT’s on future Open Enrollment programs!
Believe you can achieve! At Perkins School for the Blind, Camp Abilities’ motto this year is all about taking on challenges and BELIEVING you can overcome! We’re thankful that we got to climb with these stellar groups! It was awesome to see how challenging ourselves and encouraging one another can help us believe that we can achieve! Check out last year’s Camp Abilities video to get a feel for what these nights are like: http://www.perkins.org/get-involved/events/camp-abilities
00waypointhttps://ma.waypointadventure.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waypoint-adventure_logo_457x152.pngwaypoint2016-04-21 22:54:062016-04-21 22:54:06Rock Climbing with Perkins Camp Abilities
