WINDHAM, N.Y. — The Adaptive Sports Foundation will hit the water next week as it welcomes 13 wounded U.S. military veterans to Windham for its Warriors in Motion® kayaking event, scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, through Thursday, July 31.
Robert Campagnone, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is looking forward not just to the physicality of paddling, but also to the meditative aspect the sport can provide.
“Kayaking is a therapeutic tool for me,” Campagnone said. “It can be very physical, but it can also be very relaxing. Other activities don’t have the range that kayaking provides, where it can give you that workout that burns energy, but it also gives you that time to relax on the water and fade away into meditation while you’re taking in the beautiful scenery of the area.”
The veterans are scheduled to arrive at the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Foundation lodge on Tuesday at noon. They will meet with ASF staff and the volunteers assisting with the three-day event before mingling over lunch.
After lunch, the participants will board the ASF shuttle bus and head to Colgate Lake in nearby East Jewett to paddle its serene waters and immerse themselves in the mountain scenery. This first session will give newcomers a chance to learn paddling and safety techniques, while returning participants can refresh their skills. After a few hours on the lake, the group will return to Windham to check into their hotels and rest before a catered dinner back at the lodge.
On Wednesday, the group will depart at 9 a.m. and head east across the Hudson River to Copake Lake, the largest lake in Columbia County, which features an island in the middle and 5.2 miles of shoreline. “Copake” comes from the native Mohican language and means “snake pond,” so participants may spot some interesting wildlife while paddling.
The group will enjoy a morning session on the water, break for lunch, and return to the lake for an afternoon paddle. That evening, they’ll return to Windham to relax, clean up and gather again for dinner at the ASF lodge.
The final kayak outing will take place Thursday morning at CD Lane Park in nearby Maplecrest. The park’s 26-acre lake sits beside eagle nesting grounds, where kayakers often spot hawks soaring overhead amid views of the northern Catskills. CD Lane Park also offers plenty of shoreline for participants who prefer to stay on land and play cornhole near the water.
“The Warriors in Motion program gives a personal touch to all the sports that it offers,” Campagnone said. “Veterans can enjoy the activity without it being too commercialized. It provides an environment that doesn’t overwhelm us or take away from the therapeutic purpose that programs like this are supposed to provide.”
Thanks to grants and private donations, ASF provides all necessary equipment, including kayaks, helmets, water bottles, meals, hotel accommodations, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos if needed, and both digital and printed trail maps.
About the Warriors in Motion Program
The Warriors in Motion program provides injured U.S. servicemen and women with a foundation in wellness and lifelong healthy living. All WIM programs are goal-oriented and empower participants to take charge of their fitness and wellness. For more information, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/military-program.