Driven to Kinect

Access to AdVENTURE with Adam Peronto

Access to Adventure focuses on connecting people who may not have access to exploring Wisconsin's outdoor parks, nature

reserves and public lands due to possible barriers such as membership cost, transportation issues and disability accessibility. The program works by connecting with other organizations in Kewaunee and Door Counties and taking care of the planning and transportation for groups to get outdoors while building a network of people. Access to Adventure is thrilled to already have some early partners locally including Crossroads at Big Creek, The Ridges Sanctuary, Horseshoe Bay Farms, Door County Land Trust, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Kewaunee County Parks & Recreation Department, Algoma Venture Academy, Sturgeon Bay School District, HELP of Door County, Boys & Girls Club, Turning Point, EastShore Industries and Sunshine Resources.

"We're working with several diverse groups that we're bringing out to enjoy some of these spaces for the first time," said Adam Peronto, the Executive Project Director for Kinect M1 and the Grant Administrator for Access to Adventure. "We're really focused on adults and children of different abilities. A lot of these kids and adults have maybe never been able to access the outdoors because they do not have the accessible opportunity,"

Thanks to a grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was awarded to only five communities throughout the nation, Access to Adventure will be able to also provide some basic needs such as food and clothing resources. Studies show that when children's basic needs are met they have a grea

ter chance at success. They're also working with Options for Independent Living in Green Bay to possibly purchase a hiking wheelchair which is an all-terrian powered wheelchair built for every type of adventure so hiking is more accessible for all.

"This is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I've been coaching the Special Olympics for the past few years and I've always put a huge focus on trying to help out individuals with different abilities because they tend to be a population people don't often think about," explained Peronto.

Access to Adventure will continue to look for new ways to support new opportunities for the local and surrounding communities to experience the beauty of the natural world. Peronto says the program has multiple benefits they hope to see expand and last long into the future.

"Our hope is that we're building the capacity of these organizations that we're partnering with so they can have success long into the future. We want to show them that there's a way forward and inviting these groups is possible and an opportunity that they can continue to work on, to be inclusive, to be accepting of other populations, to be diverse and have a shared community vision." explained Peronto.

Kinect M1 and Access to Adventure are excited for future projects and are interested in networking with all people. If you're interested to connect, learn more or would like to donate email the team at kinectm1@gmail.com.