Access to Adventure for People with Disabilities

Hello!

Each summer our program team thoughtfully selects a theme for the summer that connects our activities to a larger goal. This summer has been the Summer of Play at Waypoint. Play is something we choose to do for fun. It is not just important for children; play is important for everyone. Though there are many benefits of play, at Waypoint this summer we are focusing on three in particular:

• Learning – Play helps our brain learn about the world around us. It helps us learn new skills faster and helps keep us motivated and engaged when we are learning something new.
• Creating connections with others – Have you ever played peek-a-boo with a baby, or fetch with a dog? Play allows us to connect and socialize with others, especially when we can’t communicate with words or language.
• Feeling Good and Reducing Stress – When we do things that are fun, it helps our brains release chemicals that make our bodies and minds feel good. It helps us regulate negative emotions like stress and anxiety.

We have had an awesome summer playing with our friends and building a stronger, more inclusive community. As we prepare for going back to school, cooler temperatures, and autumn colors, we look forward to taking our many fond memories and lessons learned into our next fun filled season of adventure!

In other news,

We want to send heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who joined us at our August Ambassador Reception! We were thrilled to welcome Travis and Patch Saunders, whose remarkable journey cycling across America not only showcases their adventurous spirit but also highlights their invaluable advocacy for the Autistic community. Travis' North American tour is a thrilling exploration of how we can build robust support systems that enable autistic individuals to access and enjoy hiking. We are excited to learn the insights from his upcoming project report and share with you all!

https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/travis-saunders-sa-2023/

https://www.thestoryspeller.com/

Also, the 2024 Rodman Ride for Kids is coming up on Saturday, September 21^st, starting at 7:00 AM at 38 Neponset Avenue, Foxboro, MA 02035. Please join our team, #WaypointRiders! We are looking for 25-mile or 50-mile riders or volunteers to join and fundraise for the #WaypointRiders! The proceeds from the Rodman Ride will go directly towards making the outdoors more accessible for all. https://rodmanrideforkids.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=760

Also, please check out:

Penn State Engineering Students Design Adaptive Gear for Waypoint Adventure

Last month, Ben from Penn State Engineering made a visit to our office, bringing with him the prototypes for an adaptive climbing harness and a canoe transfer bench, which he and his classmates designed this past spring for Waypoint Adventure. Shoutout to Ben and his team for their dedication and ingenuity in creating solutions that promote outdoor access for all. Their work has been featured in Penn State Engineering's latest blog post, check out the link below!

https://www.psu.edu/news/engineering/story/rock-climbing-dining-students-use-engineering-improve-accessibility/

 And

Grab your FREE Snowbound Expo ticket!

 Summer is in full swing but Snowbound Expo is just around the corner and ready to kick off the winter sports season November 15-17, 2025 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center in the Seaport Distrct. We've got FREE tickets with your name on them and only for a limited time!

 Snag your FREE tickets today before the offer ends, August 31st.

https://snowboundexpo.seetickets.com/event/snowbound-expo-2024/boston-convention-exhibition-center/2926543?OfferCode=WAYPOINT

Links:

• Waypoint Adventure Website
• Waypoint News Blog