Welcome to OAS's 'No Boundaries' Newsletter! 

OAS provides life-changing outdoor recreation experiences to individuals with disabilities.  Participants gain confidence, build self-esteem, and strive for independence leading to an enhanced quality of life.  We believe every person plays a part in our great community, yes, this includes you!  We are glad to have you as a part of our community and hope to see you out with us breaking boundaries!

Our eNewsletter goes out every other month.  Happy reading! 
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As we turn the corner into the changing season, OAS is opening new doors f or our participants - literally and figuratively.
 
With the overwhelming success of our summer programs in the third pilot year, OAS is now poised as a year-round adaptive program.  We are opening doors for our participants with our golfing, cycling, paddling and youth programs.   We are opening doors at Elk Lake, the Deschutes River, Smith Rock and everywhere we can.
 
This fall OAS welcomed a new member to the team; our 2008 14-passenger bus that arrived in early September.  The OAS community is so delighted and once again would like to acknowledge the women that made it possible - 100+Women Who Care of Central Oregon
 
And, thanks to all of you who have support OAS through, our soon to be, 20 th year of operations - we will be celebrating all year long.


Sincerely,

Suzanne Lafky

SUMMER RECAP
OAS is officially year-round!  We are cutting the red ribbon!  


After three successful summer pilot seasons, we are pumped with adrenaline to announce we are moving forward into an official status of becoming a year-round organization!

This past summer, we had over 50 volunteers who put in many hours to make the 200 participant experiences possible.  We had  monthly adaptive golf clinics during the summer season with Awbrey Glenn Golf Resort.  Private one-on-one kayak lessons on the flat stretches of the Deschutes River.  Cycling sessions were delivered to groups at Pine Park Nursery.  Two successful weeklong youth and teen day camps were implemented, full of outdoor adventures such as rafting, kayaking, and geo-caching.  Additionally, over a dozen OAS sponsored adaptive athletes competed at Pole Peddle Paddle, Tour Des Chutes, and the Pacific Crest Sports Splash Pedal Dash. 

We are  so proud of our participants, both new and returning who came out and tried a new sport or got back into one they loved. There are so many stories of success this summer.  For an instance, a t the encouragement of her Physical Therapist, one participant decided to try riding a bike for the first time since childhood, was instantly hooked and went on to participant in the Tour Des Chutes community ride. She isn't stopping anytime soon!  

The stories go on and can be heard from the waters of the Deschutes all the way to the McKenzie River, on the bike paths and hiking trails of Central Oregon.  These life-changing experiences are now, tomorrow, in the winter and in the summer because OAS is officially a year-round organization.  Exciting times are here now!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
VOLUNTEER OF THE SUMMER: Alan Teshima 


Alan was a regular volunteer this summer, and by regular we mean a frequent regular!  Some days he even booked himself for two different programs in one day!  Alan was spotted on the river helping with kayak lessons, on the bike paths assisting with the adaptive cycle program, giving pointers on the golf course during the adaptive golf clinics and helping represent OAS at various outreach booths throughout the summer. He was a very dedicated and reliable volunteer this summer, and for that reason we thank you Alan and have named him Volunteer of the Summer 2015!  





ROOKIE OF THE SEASON:  Shannon Vine


While Shannan is not exactly a new comer to OAS programs, she really stepped up her game this summer!  Shannan was an invaluable part of our volunteer force. She brought a calm and professional mannerism to programs and often found tasks that needed to be completed with minimal instruction. She is a natural in a kayak and her expertise was valuable for our paddle sports programs this summer. Shannon helped out with everything from kids camps and senior programs and even stretched her comfort zone slightly to give a hand during the adaptive golf clinics.  


HALLOWEEN WAREHOUSE PARTY
October 30 - Nov 1 






Help support the Deschutes Halloween Warehouse party and raise funds for OAS. 
With the help of 4 0+ volunteers, proceeds are to go to OAS!


OAS is very excited to partner with Deschutes Brewery this year for the Halloween Cross Crusade Shenanigans!  We will be their beneficiary partner for the warehouse bash and will have a booth on the lawn during the races.  
We will be helping Deschutes manage the doors and warehouse party.  Think costumes, music, and crazy festives!  This year's Halloween cross crusade is named "ThunderCross: A Post-Apocalyptic Weekend"  The theme is Mad Max(ish), the world just ended and here we are for a weekend of cyclocross shenanigans!  A lot will be happening, we'll be on fire!  Start planning your costumes now! 
If you'd like to volunteer, please plan to attend the  ORIENTATION on Tuesday, October 27, 5:30 pm  at the warehouse where we'll fill you in on all the details!  If you are unable to attend the orientation, then this party isn't for you - so make it work!   We will send out an email reminder when the time gets closer. 
*All volunteers will gain free admission to the event with the expectation that you show up on time, stick it out, have fun - all with the capacity to do your role.  2 beer tokens will be given to each volunteer, please drink responsibility with the consideration of the role you are doing for OAS & Deschutes.  Wear costumes if you'd like and dress warm!! 


OUR BUS NEEDS A NAME!  

Taking votes until October 31st!

Every cool bus has a name right?  Our new white beauty from 100+ Women Who Care needs a name that compliments what it means to OAS and our community.  
We have taken your suggestions and compiled our top five favorites.  We are now opening up the final selection to our community.  Please help us pick a winning name by voting on our Facebook page


PRAY FOR SNOW SEASON OPENER 

Volunteers!  Save the Date!  December 2nd!

As we transition into our 20th winter season, we are doing a shout out to all experienced skiers and riders.  Why?  We need you!  Join OAS as a volunteer, meet cool people, have fun in the snow, all while making a difference in someone's life.

To learn more about volunteering whether it's on the hill or for special events, please come to our Pray for Snow Season Opener on December 2nd.  If you are new to our community and would like to receive future notifications about volunteering, get ahead of the game by filling out an online volunteer application

LATEST SNAPSHOT 
Learning how to do rolls at the Heroes in Summer August, 2015
Thank you for being a valuable part of helping OAS provide life-changing outdoor experiences for people with disabilities.  

We appreciate you.






Oregon Adaptive Sports
63025 OB Riley Rd. #12
Bend, OR 97701
Many Thanks to Our Partners & Sponsors!