ORCA Program - Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Inc.

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ORCA Program - Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Inc.

Southeast Alaska provides the perfect backdrop for recreation. With trails, mountains and the ocean outside our back door, we find any excuse to be outside! ORCA plans a wide-range of adaptive outdoor pursuits for all abilities and interests.

Our philosophy
Recreation influences all aspects of a person’s life: employment, social life, physical and spiritual well being, as well as a sense of place in community. Challenging recreational opportunities give an individual a chance to recognize their ability to succeed. We believe that individuals do their best in environments where they are included and valued as equal and participating members. ORCA staff work to plan a variety of events and inclusive activities to ensure a wide range of opportunities and access for everyone.

Summer
Alaska provides a myriad of opportunities for recreation. Rain or shine, we offer hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities, as well as biweekly outings for youth and adults that include: fishing, zip-lining, whale watching, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, rafting, outdoor art and swimming. ORCA also offers two inclusive youth day camps for youth 7-18yrs. Overnights trips and campouts include tent and cabin camping in the Tongass National Forest, as well as multi-day trips throughout Alaska, Northern Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and the Lower 48 States.

Winter
As snow begins to fall, our short days are jam-packed with opportunities to get outside. In addition to the weekend ORCA Ski & Snowboard Program at Eaglecrest Area, ORCA offers weekly after-school activities for elementary, middle, and high school students, including: snowshoeing, ice skating, Nordic skiing (cross country), bonfires, snow play and sledding.

ORCA Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program
Every weekend, January through Mid-April, ORCA provides adaptive ski, snowboard & Nordic (cross-country) lessons and ski guides to individuals with disabilities at Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau, AK. The ORCA Ski & Snowboard Program’s certified PSIA/AASI Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Instructors are available to teach children and adults of any ability (or disability). Reservations required. Contact: 907-586-0104 or email info@sailinc.org.

Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Rates
ORCA offers reduced lesson prices, rental equipment and accessible transportation from various locations around the Juneau and Douglas area. Scholarships are available based on financial need. Visit the “Adaptive Program” on the Eaglecrest website or click on the link for pricing details: skieaglecrest.com/adaptive-program/

When it rains…
it pours here in Southeast Alaska. If the weather prevents us from having fun outside, we turn to the many indoor facilities Southeast Alaska has to offer. Swimming, ice skating, indoor climbing, open gyms, tennis and shelter bonfires are just a few of our “rainy day” activities.

Activities

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Alpine/Downhill Skiing

Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis. There are tons of disabled skiers flying down the slopes across the country. Experienced skiers make it look easy as they swoosh and cut their way through powdery (and sometimes not so powdery) snow. While it takes some practice to refine…

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…

Take a Hike! Outdoor Adventure Awaits Everyone is concerned with fitness these days. Many people are also concerned with watching their personal budget, too. So what activity offers fun and fitness as well as being easy on the wallet? The answer is hiking, and almost everybody can do it, whether it’s simply utilizing community park…

When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery? Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…

About Adaptive Rafting Considered an extreme adventure sport, rafting, or white water rafting, is a popular recreational activity. With the help of a guide, you make your way down the river, maneuvering through rapids, and navigating around rocks. You can choose the experience you want, whether it be a relaxing ride down the river or…

One of the things I like about rock climbing is that it always gives you little triumphs. You can reach new levels, you are never out of challenges, and you can do it pretty much anywhere. – Jarem Frye, Climbing Enthusiast and K12 Prosthetics founder Becoming Familiar with Adaptive Climbing For a full body…

All About Snowboarding History Thank you to Lindsay Schultz for contributing information to this article. Pipelines, shredding, jibbers, and boardercross are all part of the colorful trappings of what’s attracting winter sports lovers to the country’s newest and most popular pursuit of things-that-go-bump-in-the-snow. Otherwise known as snowboarding….. Originally embraced by preteen and adolescent males who…

Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the Games’ main sports. The thrill of competition aside, swimming offers many benefits including strengthening the cardiovascular systems and the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. It also develops flexibility in the muscles and joints as…

The people you meet through tennis are friendly, happy, optimistic and outgoing, They just want to have a good time and want others to have a good time. – Steve Kappes, Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and Director of Military Outreach for the San Diego District Tennis Association All About…

It is difficult to find balance without the ability to look inward, whether it is physical balance or balance in our daily lives. Starting the day healthfully can be as simple as breathing and stretching. An important component of a total fitness program is stretching. Add focused deep breathing to a stretch and you’ve entered…