About the Outdoor Adventure Group
The Outdoor Adventure Groups began in response to the global pandemic and a desire to connect with children, youth and their families while maintaining social distancing and adhering to Public Health Orders. Elizabeth met with families, armed with a camp chair, a blanket and a shared sense of flexibility and desire to connect, in parking lots, church lots, backyards and community parks. Sharing her own adventures in nature, hiking and camping, youth became curious and wanted to create their own adventures, so outdoor consultation began along local trails, waterways and in community parks. As word spread, and health orders changed, Outdoor Adventure Groups began!
Research has demonstrated the positive and powerful effects of nature on mental wellness, as well as physical health. In fact, BC Parks is now supporting the Park Prescriptions (www.parkprescriptions.ca) to encourage and support families to access nature on a regular basis. Time in nature has shown to lessen cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increase dopamine, while remaining low-cost and low barrier. All you need is some trail shoes and a sense of adventure!
Elizabeth and Andrea Hersog, one of the original co-facilitators began taking a small group of adventurous youth into nature in the Spring of 2021. Armed with the packs on their back, this original group of youth, with feedback from families and most importantly, the youth themselves, help to create the template of the group. This has led to further collaboration, with BaoBab Kids Yoga in 2023, to create an After-School Outdoor Group in Maple Ridge, BC. We now have two groups running and are excited to launch a third in 2024!
The groups are fully inclusive and accessible, with Adventurers in wheelchairs, limited mobility and other health needs. We are proud to say that there has not been a barrier to participation that we have not been able to breakdown! The groups are guided by practices of risky play and are child/youth-led, allowing for individualized interests to be developed and honoured. In this safe and inclusive space, the Adventures can challenge themselves with new skills and abilities, whether an individualized desire or part of a group activity.
You will find us climbing trees, building shelters and dens, carving/whittling, building fires and cooking trail meal! We have artists and photographers that capture our adventures! We have botanists who share their knowledge of fungi and flora around. We have engineers who explore and test our structures, creating shelters and dens with various materials.
Most importantly, you will see the group members showing respect for the environment, helping each other and sharing some laughs and smiles! We hope to see you on the trails this year!