Outdoor Adventures
About OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
The Synergy Outdoor Adventures Program consists of numerous opportunities to explore the outdoors. We seek for athletes to learn a new appreciation for the outdoors, while learning to access and enjoy nature in new and exciting ways. Activities are held in-person and virtually and have included rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, geocaching, aerial course adventures, skiing and more.
A wide range of adaptive equipment and techniques are utilized to help athletes achieve success in outdoor adventures in a fun and safe way that emphasizes independence.
Dates as Scheduled
@ Various locations in and around DuPage County.
Program details
Most opportunities are offered in a special event, drop-in, or mini-season format.
Hiking
This program is in development and will focus on exploring trails in and around the DuPage County area. Athletes will learn to safely overcome varied terrain while enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt, based in nature, that utilizes GPS coordinates, maps and clues to locate “caches” in forest preserves, parks and other areas. The “treasure” is typically non-value items, though some are collectors items. The Geocaching app will be utilized to select caches for which to search and leave our own notes for each adventure.
Cycling, Kayaking & Canoeing
Adaptive setups are available to for balance and support to allow for safe cycling and kayaking opportunities. Outriggers for boat stability, hand cycles for those who power their bike with their upper body, and trikes for those who pedal with feet, but need additional support are available. Cycling and water activities are typically run in collaboration with Adaptive Adventures and/or Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Sports.
Rock Climbing & Aerial Adventure
Adaptive climbing is open to all ages with a physical disability. Adaptive equipment and instruction is available to help anyone achieve success, including power wheelchair users and those with visual impairments. The adaptive climbing program is facilitated in collaboration with Adaptive Adventures and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Sports.
Aerial adventure activities will take place at The Forge: Lemont Quarries.
“A ship in its harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for.”
– William Shed
Meet the Instructors!

Phil Eide
Phil is a full-time Athletic’s Supervisor at WDSRA and joined the collaborative climbing group in 2017. He attends as many of the regularly scheduled climb days as possible because he just loves it!
He has assisted on the annual Midwest Adaptive Climbing Trip to the Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, IL in 2018 and 2019 and hopes to go on many, many more.
Phil assists with belaying for climbers who need a straight belay, side climbing if the climbers need support on the wall with them for any physical or verbal assistance, as well as belaying and anchoring climbers who utilize the seated arc harness.