GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. — In this week's "Let's Get Out There," we head to Government Camp to join a snowshoeing event put on by nonprofit Adventures Without Limits.
Trying something new starts with a first step. A day on the mountain usually starts on the snow.
“Today, we're on Mount Hood. We're about to go snowshoeing on the Crosstown Trail near Government Camp,” said Jennifer Wilde, the director of outreach and development with the nonprofit Adventures Without Limits (AWL).
“Our goal is to break down barriers to access in the outdoors and facilitate meaningful outdoor recreation experiences for folks who may face barriers otherwise,” Wilde said.
This particular outing is AWL’s first with partner organization Pacific University’s Unified Sports Club. It’s a Special Olympics program partnering students with and without disabilities.
The day started with a welcome circle and safety talk. Most of the people in this group have never snowshoed.
Shaun Ludford is both an AWL guide and a Pacific student. Ludford got involved with Unified back in high school.
Group member Paul was just one of the personalities who shone in the snow.
“You see this huge growth of friendship,” said Ludford. “And seeing people try something new that they may have never done before, or they may have thought they couldn't do before, so it's really exciting to create these new opportunities.”
“A lot of outdoor recreation is gear-intensive,” added Wilde. “It's expensive to get started, and so when we can provide that warm introduction for folks to get that experience, a lot of folks can have success with a first-time experience.”
In all, the outing wandered around two miles along the Crosstown Trail adjacent to the Timberline Summit Pass ski area. Snowball fights and snowman-building competitions added to the experience.
AWL also offers several community outings each year. These events are posted to their website. They’re open to anyone who wants to try a new activity, build relationships and get outside.
“My journey into outdoor recreation started with an invitation, someone inviting me to do something or go someplace I've never been before, " Wilde said. "And so if I can just continue extending that invitation to new folks so that they get the opportunity to experience all that Oregon has to offer."
“When somebody gets to try something for their first time, and come away smiling, it’s all you can ask for,” said Ludford.
Let's Get Out there airs once a week on KGW's 4 p.m. newscast and The Good Stuff, which airs Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. We're including viewer photos for this series. You can text your photos to 503-226-5088 or post them on the KGW Facebook page.