Columbus to Matagorda Beach – Tentatively Nov. 2 - 11
Purposes
Provide an outdoors venue for emotionally &/or physically wounded vets to use wilderness-oriented nature therapy to promote inner peace and healing.
Create a mutually beneficial partnership with communications professionals and media outlets to disseminate critical information related to suicides and their prevention by skillfully weaving such topics into reports of the team’s adventurous exploits (before, during & after this ambitious trip).
Establish a model template for other states to potentially follow in 2023 and beyond and, thereby, expand awareness and prevention efforts throughout the nation
Trip Details
Limited to a six-person expedition team - max (set to effectively manage the logistics).
Interested vets will be thoughtfully evaluated to determine their physical and mental confidence as associated with fruitfully completing this mission.
Unseasoned/inexperienced paddlers selected will be provided kayaking skills and related kayak-facilitated (restricted carrying capacity) camping training and conditioning opportunities (i.e., adequate experience in expedition kayaking is not a pre-requisite) such prepping activities will be by provided by qualified members of HASK (Houston Association of Sea Kayakers).
The trip will cover +/- 140 miles over an estimated duration of 9 days (+/- 14 to 15 river miles/day).
Supportive events involving advocates pursuing day and shoreside encouragement from friends, family members and other suicide-prevention advocates are likely to be held at the start and end of this aquatic trek.
Shore-based volunteers will be recruited and assertively engaged in:
*Media communications & liaison with local riverside communities
*Emergency management
*Shuttling
*Resupplying
*Related ancillary event planning & implementation
* Equipment & supplies procurement (i.e., needed kayaks, camping gear, food/water, etc.)
Contacts
Overall mission coordination: Willie Younger, w-younger@att.net or 979-240-4872
Expedition leadership : Phil Salvador, phil.salvador@gmail.com or 713-591-2974
