Summer is here. And with it a great season to try out something new. With the lock-down of recent months coming to an end (and hopefully doing so for good), many of us are eager to get out and be active. People with limb differences had been hit especially hard in the past year as many of the support organizations were closed or had to cut their services to a bare minimum. But things are slowly getting back to normal - or how ever we chose to call the new situation - and many of the organizations assisting people with disabilities to live and active and rewarding life are back. One of them is Access Adventures, an amazing organization aiming to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities through organising outdoor adaptive camps. So if you fancy trying water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, biking, kiting or the like Access Adventures might be what you are looking for. 

The founders of Access Adventures believe that outdoor activities can be an effective rehabilitation tool, with the potential to improve physical and psychological well-being. All the camps are designed to build self-confidence, encourage participation and inspire hope for the future.

A series of adaptive adventure camps enable groups of participants to engage in exciting outdoor activities that are not easily accessible for people with disabilities. Each camp follows a carefully planned format that provides a safe but challenging environment for participants to push their own boundaries and experience the sense of freedom, exploration and exhilaration offered by these activities.

The charity pulls together all the elements required to enable disabled participants to access the lakes, rivers, forests, beaches and mountains where these activities take place including accessible accommodation, transportation, qualified instruction, able-bodied volunteers and adaptive equipment. 

There’s also such a great sense of community and fun on the camps. Having a disability is not only about the physical limitations it may result in. Some people struggle with low confidence and self-esteem. Being involved with Access Adventures, being around people who understand your situation, can really help improve this.  

Many of the participants go on to become active members of the adaptive sport community. They’re often motivated to try other sports and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Unfortunately, adaptive sports are often far more expensive than their able-bodied equivalent – the mission is to make outdoor adventure accessible and affordable for everyone with a physical disability. 

Access Adventures has a hectic schedule next spring/ summer, aiming to deliver more camps than ever before, therefore introducing as many people as possible to the positive benefits of adaptive sport. There are 16 separate camps planned over the next 12 months, plus various fundraising events to allow us to subsidise the cost for the participants.

Don’t just take our word for it though! These participants had this to say:

"I can honestly say I had the best week ever on the ski camp. The work Access Adventures do is great, allowing you to re-engage with life and other people in a similar situation to you. Being on their camps enabled me to feel it's ok to leave the safety of my own home and gave me the opportunity to meet some great people along the way. It made me realise that my life is really worth living. Keep doing what you do guys so more people's lives can be worth living."

Terry, Ski & Ride Camp participant

“Such a fabulous day, fab weather and even more awesome company.......hanging out, trying new things and pushing ourselves to see what we can achieve and having so much fun and giggles! Part of me wants to keep Access Adventures a secret so I can attend their camps more but I also want to shout out from the rooftops how amazing they are with organising such incredible days/weekends and week-long camps which only promote positive attitudes, infectious energy, camps to suit all and create memories and friendships which can help pull you through the darkest times.”

Hannah, Cable session participant

“Amazing memories from Keros beach learning to kitesurf. Being boldly lead by the fantastic team of Access Adventures, being taught by the coolest of cool teams Surf Club Keros, cannot tell you just how it felt. It was another experience that has really opened my eyes and shown that with the help from really great people, it is not our bodies that limit what we can do... only our minds!”

Tim, Keros Kite Camp participant

It’s reassuring to know that others share our view on the power of adaptive sport.  There’s nothing quite like seeing empty wheelchairs or prosthetic legs in some stunning location, the occupants off enjoying the exhilaration and freedom of another exciting action sport!

Come and join us for an adventure in 2019!