Tales around the Class-Campfire

All while sitting around a cleverly built/homemade campfire, I listened to a representative from the North American Squirrel Association. He talked about the organization, adaptive equipment and showed us very interesting relevant videos on adaptive hunting, fishing and boating. As a divided class, we watched videos and a presentation on adaptive sports and adaptive equipment. Lastly, I was the TRS in a timed tent building activity with various disabilities represented.

After watching a person with visual impairments hunt, a person in a wheelchair do a back flip, and young adults with spinal cord injuries repelling and bungee jumping, I'd like to think that I'd take with me the idea that "anything is possible." With a little creativity the possibilities are endless. All it takes is a shift to a positive perspective and barriers become become challenges. Let's be real, who doesn't love a good challenge?

What I learned about myself was that I am very interested in adaptive sports. Coincidentally, the night before this presentation I was perusing an inclusive camp for spinal cord injuries. I got lost in videos of adaptive bungee jumping, four wheeling, kayaking and zip lining. It was so relevant to the presentation of adaptive equipment and outdoor connection that I ended up sharing them with the group.

To strive for excellence, I reflect on my performance as a TRS facilitating putting up a tent with a group of various disabilities. I took upon a role that would help the participants gain experience. I strove to include everyone. My efforts showed when processing my participant who is visually impaired commented on her tent building experience when she said she felt supported and guided.

Overall, I learned that "Neature is pretty NEAT!" :)