The mission of Waypoint Adventure is to challenge youth and adults with disabilities to discover their purpose, talents and strengths through the transforming power of adventure.
Waypoint Adventure is a non-profit educational organization founded in 2010 that uses quality experiential and adventure-based programs to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities and their communities.
These programs are not just about having fun on a boat ride, climbing high on a rock or sliding down a zip line – They are about positive individual and group development. They’re about building social and character skills, forming teams and transforming people’s views of themselves and their abilities. Waypoint believes that all people, regardless of ability, will have opportunities for adventure, and through them realize their personal value, strengths and abilities. The challenge faced and support discovered in these experiences challenge people to become stronger individuals and community members.
MEET OUR TEAM
of passionate exploration leaders
Our team is made up of professionals in the fields of disability, special education, adventure education, adventure trip leading, and wilderness medicine. Our programs are for people of all ages and abilities.
- We specifically have extensive experience working with people on the autism spectrum, those who have anxiety disorders, who are deaf or blind, have Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities ranging from moderate to severe, and Aspergers Syndrome.
- We have worked with participants who have Cerebral Palsy or other physical disabilities ranging from moderate to severe, Limb differences, para or quadriplegia, Epilepsy, Spina Bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injuries, learning or speech disabilities, and social-emotional challenges.
- We are constantly learning more about trauma, chronic illnesses, schizophrenia, Williams Syndrome, OCD, and so much more.
We love learning and believe that every person we encounter is treated with the utmost respect and given the authority to show us who they are as a full person. This is not an exhaustive list that represents all our experience. Ask us if you don’t see what describes you!
DAN
MINNICH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(CO-FOUNDER )
JULIA
SPRUANCE
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
EILEEN
TURPIN
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
STEVEN
DASMAN
PROGRAM
MANAGER
NANCY
NATOWITZ
BUSINESS
MANAGER
MIRIAM
TALAMINI
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
JIM
BRADLEY
EQUIPMENT MANAGER & TRIP LEADER
BRENDA
KENNEDY DAVIES
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
MICHELLE
HOFFMEISTER
PROGRAM REGISTRAR & TRIP LEADER
TBA
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
WILL
HAAS
ADVENTURE TRIP LEADER
BONNIE
DENIS
ADVENTURE TRIP LEADER
DAVID
SU
ADVENTURE TRIP LEADER
We have advanced training in outdoor leadership and Special Education through the following institutions: University of New Hampshire – Outdoor Education, Gordon College – Recreation, Sport and Wellness, Boston College – Human Development, Severe Special Needs, American Mountain Guide Association, SOLO Wilderness Medical School, National Outdoor Leadership School, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and the American Canoe Association. They build daily on their extensive experience and are dedicated to their craft of designing life-changing adventure programs.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Keyes (Chair)
Head of PCH Boston
PCH Digital
Ellen Cohn, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA (Vice Chair)
Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy
BU, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Services
Tom Rollins, CFA (Treasurer)
Fidelity Investments
Charley Gould (Clerk)
Attorney
Kevin Clark
Sales Director, Coupa Software
Deborah ‘Dubs’ Dickey
Health Professional
Dr. Claudia Guiterrez
Former Principal Boston Public Schools
Liza Mills
Mom and Advocate
Janet Wade
Director, Boston Ability Center
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Juan Martin Botero
Software Engineer, Adventurer, Mentor
Cherise Bransfield
Mom & Advocate
Amy Choi
Chief Growth Officer, T3 Advisors
Richard Helstein
Former Vice President of Marketing, Kraft Foods
Benjamin Marcus
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Stonehill College
Anna McKeown
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Town of Concord, MA
Matthew Morizio
Private Client Advisor, Beck Bode
Sarah Perry
President, SP Non-Profit Consulting
Carl Robinson
Wells Fargo Bank
Wealth Advisor, Senior Vice President
Jessica Solomon, MD
Developmental Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Martin West, PhD
Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Jean Whitney
Philanthropic Advising
THANK YOU TO OUR TOP SUPPORTERS
We're so grateful for you!
FOUNDATIONS
CORPORATIONS
AFFILIATIONS
