By Grace Johnston – Contributor

The barren prairies that separate Ontario from Alberta, combined with the six days of driving across them certainly did not scream dopamine. So, you can imagine my excitement when the striking mountains and dense forests of the Canadian Rockies came into view just past the road sign that read Banff, 90 km. This scenery was mesmerizing for a kid from Ontario, and yet, it was only the preview of a summer filled with adventures. 

The mountains alone make a compelling case for the internship at Rocky Mountain Adaptive. Rocky Mountain Adaptive (RMA) is a non-profit organisation that promotes accessibility in the mountains through adaptive outdoor recreation for people of all ages and abilities living with neurodivergent or physical challenges. 

In the Rockies, the crisp mountain air wafts through Canmore and the sun casts an evening alpenglow on the surrounding peaks as it sets. However, for me, it was the invaluable hands-on work experience in adaptive sport, the tom-foolery with my coworkers turned friends, the development of my passion project and the wealth in adventure that put summer 2023 in a rank of its own. In addition, this internship is also generously compensated with $12,000 from the Olney Family Foundation and six experiential learning credits to tag along. 

In a three-month span, I was launched head-first into the expansive world of adaptive hiking, biking, and kayaking. It was a privilege to witness as someone tests the waters in a kayak; experiments with the throttle on a Bowhead bike, adaptive electric mountain bike; or rediscovers a love for hiking with a Trailrider, a mobility “wheelchair” that can be navigated and climb harsh terrains. During this past summer, I had the opportunity to try every piece of adaptive equipment under the sun and explore every trail, river, nook and cranny in the parks enclosing the Bow Valley. I would rarely get through a day of work without an afternoon glacial dip to cool off or a wide-eyed, scenic-view-inspired “Wow”. There was no end to the amazement I had for this new backyard. 

Each week, I would chip away at my internship project, which culminated in a weekend outreach event in Fernie, B.C., where there is a sizeable gap in adaptive summer recreation. That particular weekend I trained volunteers, met and greeted Fernie locals, offered equipment trials and assessed the market demand for future events. 

To bring this project to life, I secured a full external sponsorship, connected with several partner organizations and trail alliances, secured permits and clearance, coordinated advertisements and combated heavy rain and smoky clouds. At the end of the event, after an equipment trial, one participant looked me in the eyes and said that they had “been waiting for someone to come here and bridge this gap because out here there is nothing.” Knowing that my work was impactful to the Fernie community was the affirmation I needed to validate my project’s mission. 

The summer was brought to a close with RMA’s infamous Friends and Family Camp at William Watson Lodge. Every year, this fully accessible lodge hosts a week-long overnight, adaptive summer camp experience, outside the reaches of cell service. There, we spent the days in the sun hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking around the bountiful scenery of Kananaskis Country. We dedicated our nights to the summer camp classics: s’mores, game nights, stargazing, belly laughs and core memory-making. That last week ended with a family-style BBQ. We laughed, cried, brimmed with gratitude for this experience, and said our goodbyes for the summer. I left Alberta with more memories than I could pack in my carry-on.

If you are interested in this incredible opportunity, the Experiential Learning Office will be accepting applications until Jan. 29, 2024. This internship is made possible due to the generous support of the Olney family, BU alumni. All questions and application packages can be directed to el@ubishops.ca.