Adaptable Outdoors seeks continued support

Adaptable Outdoors, the Pincher Creek–based charity offering outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all abilities, has wrapped up its fifth and most successful season yet, delivering more than 300 outdoor experiences to over 200 participants in 2025.

The local non-profit runs accessible kayaking, hiking and fishing programs that pair adaptive equipment with trained staff and volunteer support, offering those living with disabilities a chance to enjoy outdoor opportunities that may otherwise be inaccessible. 

This year, Adaptable Outdoors saw program delivery increase sharply, a trend the group has tracked over its five seasons as program delivery has expanded by 300 per cent. In addition to the hundreds of outdoor experiences provided to hundreds of participants, 49 volunteers contributed roughly 400 hours toward getting people out and about.

“To be honest, this sounds super cliché, but we hear that it’s life-changing so often from so many different people using those exact words,” says Sara Holly, co-founder of Adaptable Outdoors. 

While numbers can certainly be telling, the organization’s impact goes well beyond them. As Sara explains, many participants come to the program after sudden health changes, such as a stroke or brain injury, and find their world has shrunk.

“One of my favourite things about being a part of something like this is being part of that moment when their world expands again,” she says.

One such example came from Mike Grisnich, a Fort Macleod resident, who joined Adaptable Outdoors this summer after contracting Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, leaving him with lasting impairment. PML is an often fatal brain disease caused by JC virus, attacking white matter of the brain and damaging the protective coating of nerve cells.

Prior to his PML diagnosis, Mike regularly enjoyed the outdoors, particularly fishing and hiking. Now, due to his condition, Mike has difficulties communicating verbally, while the right-hand side of his body lost a great deal of function. 

His caregiver and family friend, William Guliker, says the chance to return to familiar activities made a radical difference in Mike.

“We heard about [Adaptable Outdoors], and then we started looking into it, and were of course interested, because Mike wanted to be outdoors. That’s what he did in the past all the time, so this was pretty much up his alley,” William says.

“These were things that he used to do all the time, and now he gets that chance to do it all again. When he went the first time it was like, boom, I want this, this is what I like.”

Mike is brought up to Drywood Falls on a trailrider with the help of volunteer Niall Donaghy, Adaptable Outdoors co-founder Steve Holly and Jarem Earl.

William remembers Mike’s first fishing trip vividly. Although his motor skills are no longer what they were, thanks to the help of adaptive equipment and volunteers, Mike was once again able to return to an activity he cherished deeply.

“I will always remember the smile on his face the first day that we went fishing. He never thought he’d go fishing again, but he caught a fish on the first day and it was just literally a perfect picture,” William says.

For Mike personally, the highlight of his summer came in the form of one of the adapted hikes he took part in. The hike was to a waterfall that he had wanted to trek up to previously, but hadn’t had the chance to complete prior to his diagnosis. To have made it up with his newfound struggles meant the world to him.

“Seeing him with happy tears up at the top, if you would have looked around, you would have seen multiple people with tears in their eyes,” William says.

In addition to support from William, Mike is cared for by his supportive wife, Stephanie, who is grateful to see her husband have opportunities to experience the joys of being outdoors. 

“It’s been a great program, and we feel very fortunate to have found out about it and that Mike can participate in it because otherwise, there’s no way he can do these activities,” she says.

Stories like Mike’s are quite telling of the overall impact that Adaptable Outdoors has on hundreds of individuals, from participants to their families to volunteers. However, it would not be possible to provide adapted programming like this without continued community support.

The charity launched its Adventure Challenge fundraiser over the summer, encouraging supporters to take on personal challenges to raise funds, and is currently running a WestJet raffle for a round-trip flight for two to any destination the airline serves.

“All of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to supporting our adaptive programs, so it’s a great chance to support a local charity, help us keep doing what we’re doing, and maybe win a trip,” Sara explains.

Tickets for the raffle are $25 each or five for $100, on sale until Sept. 30, with the draw taking place Oct. 10 at The Annex in Pincher Creek. Proceeds support adaptive equipment, safety gear and staff wages.

“The equipment on its own can’t do nearly as much as a trained and qualified staff member. Personnel is absolutely essential,” Sara adds. 

Looking ahead, Adaptable Outdoors plans to resume programming in May 2026, with registration opening in April. Sara notes that the organization’s momentum would not be possible without local backing.

“I really feel like it’s not possible without the support of the community, that’s what helps sustain the work we’re doing,” she says.

Make a donation to the Adaptable Adventure challenge or purchase a ticket for the raffle to support Adaptable Outdoors.