Have you ever thought about unique ways
to do rehabilitation and group therapy? How can our health promotion strategies
and interventions challenge societal views of access and ability?
Adventure therapy started over 50 years
ago, growing out of the outdoor and wilderness adventure movement of the early
1960’s. It quickly evolved into a mode of practice that made use of natural
settings, such as forests and oceans. Adventure therapy is usually based
on the principles of experiential education. The adventure activities and
associated human interactions are often conducted in groups (Kimball and Bacon,
1993) in which the intervention is based on an integration of principles
derived from psychology, sociology, education and other disciplines that form
the process of human change and learning (Bandoroff 1992). The goals of
each adventure therapy intervention are developed in response to client needs
and conducted in ways to maximise therapeutic outcomes for clients.
Common goals include re-socialisation, independence, treating substance abuse, social
skills training, promoting self-awareness, self-ethicacy, community integration,
and improving clients’ management of their own emotional and social lives (Prouty,
Panicucci, & Collinson, 2007). By using adaptive equipment designed in
collaboration with recreational therapists, physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, engineers and clients, adventure activities or sports become
accessible to clients, challenging societal views on “ability” and “accessibility”
in physical activity.
The nature of the adventure activities that
are conducted as part of adventure therapy programmes vary widely and may
include: walking/hiking expeditions, cycling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding,
canoeing, rafting, sailing, and surfing along with group initiatives such as
cooperative games, ropes courses, or other activities. Power For All™ provides
adaptive kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding along with Zumba group fitness
classes for clients residing in the Fraser Valley. Power For All’s purposes
are:
·
To provide wilderness and adventure experiences for people of all ages
and all abilities
·
To focus on creating new opportunities for people with cognitive,
emotional, social, physical and economical challenges
·
To create a supportive environment for participants that enriches
quality of life and encourages community involvement and participation,
personal development, education and learning
Adventure
Therapy is a viable way of delivering rehabilitation, group therapy and health
promotion interventions to your clients. We hope that you will consider
including this form of therapy as an option in your practice. We will collaborate with you, your treatment
team and design a plan that will engage your clients and help them achieve
their treatment goals. Through our partnerships with organizations such as
Variety Children’s Charity, the Rotary Service Clubs, the Township of Langley
and the City of Surrey, we provide accessible programming for all ages,
including bursaries to make our programming affordable.
For more information check out our
website at:
Contact Alex Thompson, executive
director at:
Email: powerforallats@gmail.com
Phone: 778.885.7953
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