-Splore, Get Outdoors Program Winner
In the heart of the Wasatch mountains lies East Canyon, a local’s favorite for everything from snowshoeing and cross country skiing to swimming and biking in the summertime. On a bright Saturday afternoon, Splore took a group of families affected by early onset Dementia on a snowshoe adventure.
The journey started with an opening circle to make introductions, talk about the day and outline all the safety details, followed by instructions for how to walk in snowshoes. Everyone enthusiastically took to the snow and began exploring the mountains and enjoying a day in the sun.
Most of the families had never met before but everyone immediately felt a bond once the trip started. People from different backgrounds and locations were suddenly joined by an invisible force: a family member who has dementia. During frequent breaks to take in the beautiful scenery and fill up on water, endless conversations were happening: wives comparing notes on obstacles with school, kids sharing snowball fights or fathers discussing the latest Jazz game. It’s one of the mysteries of nature that being in the outdoors together has a way of deepening relationships and sparking new communities.
One of the spectacular things about Splore adventures is that entire families or groups of friends are able to experience the thrill of adventure together instead of being separated for ability-specific opportunities. Everyone who was part of the trip was a spouse, parent or child to someone else on the trip and was able to experience something completely new and bonding.
By the end of the trip, we heard things like “We have never done something like this as a family,” and “It’s amazing to get out and do things that people would normally say I’m not capable of.” Here at Splore, we are grateful to be able to provide trips for people of all abilities and their families.