Adventure Assistance

By Leigh Savage
Chris Reeves had the kayak, the equipment and the interest, but he wasn’t sure where to go to learn more about his new hobby.

“I’ve been in my boat a bunch, but I’m still very much a beginner,” says Reeves, who lives in Anderson. He then learned about Christine Boush, who is heading up new outdoor adventure programming for the Greenville County Recreation Department, recently rebranded as Greenville Rec.

“She told me about Kayaking 101, a two-day class, and it was great,” Reeves says. He met like-minded people, learned more about area rivers and tackled new skills like the roll (righting a capsized kayak using body motion and/or a paddle.) “I’m already calling her about their upcoming weekend trips.”

That’s exactly what Boush hopes to accomplish through the program, which began in May with outdoor yoga classes. The avid paddler and lifelong outdoors enthusiast is now outdoor recreation coordinator for Greenville Rec, and in that role she hopes to remove barriers for people who may have considered trying an activity but were intimidated or overwhelmed by logistics, equipment or techniques. “People may not know where to go or how to get started, and that’s who we’re targeting – people who might think, ‘That looks fun but how do I do it?’”

The available activities run the gamut: a variety of hikes, lots of water-based trips and classes (including kayaking and rafting), cycling (mountain, road and tandem), rock climbing, and adventure camps for kids. There are even date night adventures on tandem bikes, complete with hors d’oeuvres, and conference bike trips that allow seven people to pedal a 600-pound contraption – an excellent teamwork exercise that often doubles as physical comedy.

But Boush emphasizes that the long list could be much longer, and she encourages anyone with an interest not listed to simply call or e-mail her. “Let us know what adventure you want to have, and we’ll work with you to make it happen,” she says.
Mike Teachey, community relations director for Greenville Rec, helped launch the program after hearing a speaker discuss importance of readily available outdoor activities. “We want to connect more kids and adults with the natural environment through programs,” he says, and the payoffs for doing so are numerous.

“First, it promotes lifestyle fitness,” Boush says. “You can’t get a kid to run on a treadmill in a gym, but get them outside and let them play at adventure camp, and they’ll go all day.” She hopes the activities teach kids and adults hobbies that can help them stay active for life.

Greenville Rec also hopes to foster a greater appreciation for the natural beauty of the Upstate, which offers top-notch paddling rivers, gorgeous hiking trails, popular mountain biking areas and more. “Tons of research is showing that fewer kids have any connection to the natural environment,” Teachey says. “This relates to childhood obesity, but it also creates a generation of kids with no connection to nature, which can really make it hard to protect natural places.”

The final goal, Boush says, is simply to help people have fun. Meeting new friends, getting outside, easing stress and boosting confidence are just a few benefits of learning about a new outdoor hobby.

Reeves, who spent two days on the Green River in Saluda, N.C., learning Kayaking 101, says his new hobby gives him the adrenaline rush of hitting a hard rapid and also pride in overcoming his fears. “Plus, I just like being out in the mountains and in the woods anyway,” he says.

In addition to organizing its own programs, the department is teaming up with resources in the area, including non-profits, schools and businesses, to create classes and serve as a referral source. “If Appalachian Outfitters is already offering a class, we can hopefully expose more people to that and connect people who are interested,” Teachey says.
He understands firsthand what it’s like to have an interest and not know where to begin. He had mountain biking experience, but wanted to try road cycling. “I didn’t know anything about it,” he says. He eventually found his way, but hopes the new program will make the process easier.

Costs for classes and events vary, but are minimal since the non-profit program is just hoping to break even. Teachey says he would eventually like to use grants or sponsorships to reach out to more people – especially kids – who can’t afford to participate.

“Getting outdoors is good for everyone, whether you are six or sixty, experienced or inexperienced,” he says. “When you get away from the TV, it puts things in a different perspective and makes life richer. It really broadens people’s horizons.”