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 Karen LeSage of BaoBab Kids Yoga in 2023, to provide even more groups! We are now offering groups in both Abbotsford and Maple Ridge for our younger adventures and teens! Our groups are led by Karen, Elizabeth, and Brea. We are also excited to have our youth mentors join us on all our adventures, providing leadership and living expertise, these volunteers are an essential part of the team!
In partnership with Alyson Seale and Monique Goerzen, Elizabeth has been leading Adult Adventure Group! This group is for adults with disabilities who are interested in trying new activities, while meeting new people and building connections! This group is self-supporting and we are committed to keeping it as low-cost as most adults with disabilities do not receive much financial support if any at all. The group has enjoyed paddling together, exploring Granville Island, playing board games at the Board Game Cafe, hiking local trails, campfires, and even a day trip to Bowen Island!