WINDHAM, N.Y. – The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) continues its Warriors in Motion® (WIM) summer programming next week with its WIM Backpacking event from June 25-27.

U.S. Army veteran Ryan Pearson will be in attendance for the event, and he’s looking forward to the challenge. “The last time I went backpacking was 14 years ago. I backpacked a lot in the service, and I took a couple of backpacking trips out of service as well to enjoy some time alone.” Pearson explained. “I enjoyed backpacking a lot, especially for the challenge.”

Pearson and four other U.S. military veterans are scheduled to meet at the ASF’s Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon for lunch and to learn how to pack a backpack properly and effectively for a long camping trip. After everyone is packed and ready to go, the group will get dropped off at the Batavia Kill Trailhead located near Maplecrest’s CD Lane Park. The participants will then start their 1.75-mile hike to the Batavia Kill lean-to where they will spend the night.

The next morning, the warriors will trek 6.5 miles up and over Blackhead and Arizona Mountains, which will include fantastic views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley. From there, the group will continue their hike to the Colgate Lake Primitive Campsites via Dutcher Notch.

On the final day of the three-day event, the WIM group will relax and, depending on the weather, spend some time at Colgate Lake. The participants will then clean up their campsite, pack up and get picked up by the ASF shuttle bus. They will return to the ASF lodge for a hot shower, lunch and goodbyes.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Pearson said. “I want to show myself and everyone else I can handle a three-day, two-night hike and stay in the woods.”

Thanks to grants received and private donations, the ASF is able to provide bicycles (to those who need them), helmets, water bottles, all meals, hotel rooms, snacks, water, sports drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos (if necessary) and maps, both digital and paper copies.

About the ASF’s Warriors in Motion Program

The Warriors in Motion program provides participating injured United States servicemen and women with a basic knowledge and practice of wellness and the importance of lifelong healthy living. All WIM programs are goal-oriented and empower the warrior to take charge of their own fitness and wellness. If you’d like to learn more about the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/military-program.

About the Adaptive Sports Foundation

For 40 years the ASF has been providing sports and recreation opportunities to thousands in the disabled community. Since then, it has grown into what it is today, an organization that provides year-round services out of its own slope-side lodge, the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center. All this has been accomplished over the years thanks to many donors and an impressive legion of volunteers, who can be seen in their iconic green jackets sliding down the snow-white slopes.

The Adaptive Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides profound and life changing experiences for children and adults with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support and community. For more information about the Adaptive Sports Foundation please visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.