Happy New Year!

I hope this finds you in good health and spirits! It is also my hope that 2012 brings a great deal of joy your way.

In starting the New Year, I’d like to take a brief look at a few of Survivor’s Outdoor Experience highlights of 2011.

The biggest accomplishment for the past year was achieved during our “Healing Adventure Program.” The weekend long retreat that was held in April at Olympic Park Institute (OPI) provided affirmation to the ideas and goals of helping people to move forward after a cancer diagnosis.

For our first retreat, a group of 16 participated in activities including: journaling, wellness, nutrition, cooking and exercise sessions along with hiking and canoeing with OPI staff. Perhaps the results can best be described by the folks that attended -video and photos of the event are available here.

Stay tuned for news on our second retreat slated for spring of 2012.

Another highlight was “Running for a Reason,” a fund-raising tool I created along with two good friends, Annie Ferris and Jeason Murphy. Jeason ran Western States 100, raising money for SOE. Needless to say, while the gift of money is important, it was Annie and Jeason’s efforts that mattered the most.

Using “Running for a Reason” as a springboard, we hope to host other “For a Reason” events to raise more funding in the future.

We continue to receive monetary gifts from other supporters including one whose donation was matched by his employer. Moving into 2012, I look forward to your support and suggestions in other fund-raising endeavors.

In October, one of the retreat participants and friend of SOE, Sky Heatherton, hosted “Embracing Life through Art…the Journey Back,” an art show. Sky, a survivor of breast cancer, along with other cancer survivors, displayed their works of art – congratulations to Sky and the other artists for a very powerful and moving display.

In SOE programming, our next event is the Third Annual Snowshoe Clinic at Swain’s on Saturday, January 14 at 11 a.m. followed by a Snowshoe Nature Walk with park personnel at Hurricane Ridge on Sunday, January 15at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the lodge. I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to attend both events!

SOE looks forward to a productive 2012 with your help and support.

Jack Ganster
Executive Director