LIFE EXPANDING ADVENTURE PROGRAM
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : i**o@l***********e.o*g
Mission Statement
To create empowering experiences for those facing adversity and trauma by providing wilderness programs.
About This Cause
We began with three families. The Crystals and Weiseths own a whitewater rafting company and were looking for a way to give back through their exclusive access to rivers. The Reimann family had endured an extraordinary tragedy. They collectively supported one thing: that the wilderness provides people who experience trauma and tragedy transformational benefits to move their lives forward again. The wilderness is our classroom. The river is our metaphor. Kayaks are our toolkits. Together in the remote and untamed wilderness of the Pacific Northwest rivers and canyons, our goal is to help participants embrace their strength, recognize their inherent value, and connect with others who share similar life experiences in a highly emotional and memorable immersive program that becomes catalysts for change. Life Expanding Adventure Program (LEAP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to create empowering opportunities for those facing adversity and trauma by providing wilderness programs. Specifically, we provide multi-day immersive whitewater kayaking programs on the Salmon River in Idaho and the Deschutes River in Oregon. We offer reflective programming, community building, and opportunities for connection for individuals who often have felt isolated within their circumstances. All of our programs are at no cost to our participants. From our 15 years of program operations, we know that time in wild places, supported by peer connections, has the power to heal trauma and strengthen the spirit. At LEAP, 50% of the people we serve have faced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, or living with family members struggling with mental health, substance use, or incarceration. The impacts of ACEs are severe and long-lasting, affecting relationships, emotions, and health, often leading to chronic conditions or mental illness. At LEAP, we harness the power of nature and adventure to disrupt trauma responses and foster resilience. The other 50% of those we serve live with post-traumatic stress from illness, injury, loss, or military service. Adventure therapy at LEAP increases self-efficacy, reduces distress, and enhances social connections. Our therapeutic programs provide a vital path to healing outside traditional therapy, offering innovative tools for mental health recovery.