What S.O.S is all about?
Open Air and Open Minds
The Serenity Outdoor School fosters an environment where all participants come together as one. Each participant, staff member and volunteer, has their own experiences to draw upon, yet our experiences are often times, very similar. We all have, at one time or another, traveled a journey which required us to look for the good things in life in order to continue to move forward and to grow. The journey of recovery for any individual, whether from drugs and alcohol or from issues of mental health and the multitude of life’s stressors, is made easier when we accept, support and encourage each other as a community. We have a unique opportunity to instill in each other a sense of value and of purpose. To see the good, to be grateful and to embrace the hope and promise of a bright and positive future for all.
Adventure Therapy: a healing of the mind, body and soul:
Whether on the water, around a campfire, or hiking in the woods, nature allows us to step back, relax and reflect. As a participant in an outdoor adventure, we learn that the very “nature“ of the experience, allows us to realize that so long as we are here, that we should be grateful for all that we have and for the people around us who love us, care about us and most importantly support us, through all of life’s challenges. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Anonymous.
What it is not, is a“Therapy Session on the water.” To be kayaking, hiking or biking, to be laughing and enjoying the sight and sounds of a wilderness lake, river or the woods: is rejuvenating and therapeutic in and of itself. Often times, there is a moment of enlightenment when we come to the conclusion of, “Why didn’t I think of this before!”
For individuals who are in recovery, adventure therapy opens up the spirit and proves that there is more to life than the seemingly overwhelming experiences of the past. It’s a chance to do something different and to travel a different path. And this could hold true for any one, regardless of their own past.
The S.O.S. Community: We can’t do this alone
Participating in one of our programs will officially make you a part of a bigger community dedicated to delivering high quality events for both people in recovery, as well as for friends, family, co-workers and peers.
If you are in recovery, keep it up! Sharing is an important part of the healing process. Participate in some of the programs dedicated to relapse prevention. Volunteer and get involved. Get another person in recovery or a sponsor, coworker or friend to join you in future events.
If you have a loved one, friend or someone who you are supporting who is in recovery, this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize their efforts to maintain a sober lifestyle or to get help for their mental health concerns. Learn from the other participants. Host an event. Donate and support the program. Every little bit helps us as we move to building a community dedicated to the recovery of those around us who may have suffered from addiction or mental health issues in the past.
You want to have fun, we all do! What a fantastic way to experience the joy of a sober activity. Participate in any one of our events and we welcome you to ask questions and be a part of the growth of the Serenity Outdoor School. Most of our activities are open to all members of the community whether you consider yourself to be a person in recovery or not. There are certain activities that will be exclusive to members of the recovery community, due to concerns of anonymity and privacy.