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BACKGROUND: THE WILDERNESS INSTITUTE HISTORY
"Celebrating 25 Years of Adventure!"
(A non-profit 501 (c) 3 California Corporation)
"Experience the Adventure!"
Established in 1984, The Wilderness Institute grew out of the need for people to experience nature first-hand, to expand an understanding of the interrelationship between people and the environment and for personal growth experiences in a wilderness setting.
This "Outdoor Adventure School" for the public and special groups has provided recreational, educational, and therapeutic enjoyment while increasing outdoor skills, ecological understanding, and backcountry safety for participants. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California and the Sierra-Nevadas became program sites for learning wilderness skills, environmental awareness, and the pursuit of outdoor adventures.
The Wilderness Institute initially offered courses for youth groups, schools, and the general public in Natural and Cultural History, Hiking, Backcountry Skills, Mountaineering, Aquatic Sports, and Cross-country Skiing through its "Wilderness Guide" publication. In addition, The Wilderness Institute expanded its services to offer a variety of specialized programs for womenonly, men only, couples, families, youth, and other population groups, including corporate team-building.
By Fall of 1985, The Wilderness Institute created the first Wheel to the Sea special event, serving people with physical disabilities. Participants traveled down a 5 mile trail through the Santa Monica Mountains, celebrating their accomplishment with a barbecue at Pt. Mugu State Beach. This biannual event is co-sponsored by California State Parks, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and Kiwanis Clubs of Thousand Oaks, Canoga Park, and Northridge.
Event Background: An instructors with physical disabilities (Bruce Van Horn, a staff Recreational Therapist (Tina Johann), and two volunteers explored several trails through the Santa Monica Mountains to find an appropriate route for a day-long, volunteer supported wheelchair hike. After struggling up difficult trails (sometimes even crawling and dragging their chairs) these wheelchair athletes realized that we needed to find a route that ran mostly downhill, perhaps following a stream to the ocean. We explored Sycamore Canyon within Point Mugu State Park and then offered the first event to members and friends of the Unrecables Outing Cub support group and community volunteers and staff. The Wheel to the Sea event for people with physical disabilities was established and offered to the public and special groups
The Wheel to the Sea event was so popular that in 1987 we expanded its offering to twice a year, spring and fall.
Wilderness Wheelers: These programs were the beginning of a series of special events put on by The Wilderness Institute for the general public and disabled community as part of our Wilderness Wheelers outreach program for people with physical disabilities. In the following years "Aquatics Day -Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing","White Water Rafting", "Rock Climbing (for the Blind)", "Adventure Ropes Courses", "Beach and Tidepool Discoveries", “Yosemite Horseback Trip”, and "Evening with the Owls" were among other successful events.
The Participants:
Today, we are currently serving over 250 wheelchair participants and volunteers each year. A major focus for this year is serving military Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and their families. Many other participants are adults and children living with illnesses, or
past accident patients who are living with physical disabilities and many living on their own or with family. Others include residents of the United Cerebral Palsy, Los Angels, Hillcrest House, as well as other groups.
It is now going on 25 years that The Wilderness Institute has been providing this special biannual Wheel to the Sea event!
The Wheel to the Sea event endures to this day due to its unique combination of community service volunteers, accessible but challenging hiking trail route, multi-agency support and participation, accessible bus transportation, great food, the need for individuals with physical disabilities to get outdoors, to experience fresh air, get help and assistance from other people, to build new relationships and make new friends, see wildlife, smell the ocean, and even get their feet wet in the sea. In addition, it may well be the enthusiasm of the volunteers and their continued support that keeps the event ongoing and who may just get the most returns from their heart-felt investment.
There have been many individuals who have been instrumental in supporting this event over the years. Although too many to mention here, a few need to be acknowledged: Arnie Corlin is The Wilderness Institute Board member who first helped to initiate this event. Arnie Rudman was the initial sponsor representative for the Kiwanis Club volunteer organization and who continues his involvement and leadership. And, Anthony Hoffman, Supervisory State Park Ranger, assisted for many years and currently provides direct support and leadership as the State Parks event partner representative.
Note: Ranger Frank Padilla was the initial State Parks representative and we co-presented a workshop on “Coordinating Volunteer Events” at the California State Trails Conference focusing on the Wheel to the Sea through slides and video.
The Wilderness Institute is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for people to expand their personal horizons, enhance their quality of life, and to contribute to our environment through action.
"Participation in Wilderness Institute programs is a way of gaining greater appreciation for the outdoors and respect for the environment, learning to appreciate your community and enhancing teamwork, while learning more about your own capabilities. Learning in nature offers an atmosphere of fun, support, and growth. Participants experience a wholistic approach to learning which encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components of self-discovery."
Bradley Childs, Founder and President
Visit Wilderness Wheelers home page: http://sites.google.com/site/wildernessinstitute/home
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