Adaptive Adventures Military Operations (AAMO)

Empowering Wounded Warriors through Sport

Adaptive Adventures Military Operations (AAMO) Program 

Leading the way in progressive adaptive sports, the AAMO program provides Veterans the opportunity to gain back a level of fitness and activity that they had prior to being wounded. The programs feature elite instructors and experienced staff and volunteers, including world-class athletes who have competed nationally. Individuals with disabilities are lead coaches and instructors providing expertise and mentoring to Wounded Warriors ("WW"). This guidance provides the veterans with role models to help them regain their freedom through mobility, while also providing a valuable resource for emotional and social rehabilitation.

Adaptive Adventures provides a multi-tiered approach to all programs that address the veterans current abilities and helps build physical and mental strength. promote Health and wellness are promoted by encouraging participants to use the skills they have learned to advance to a more aggressive program.

Adaptive Adventures’ programs include the veteran's family, friends and caregivers, creating a community of support that encourages health and wellness beyond our programs.

“Attending this kayak pool session has empowered me to do more. I haven’t been this active since I was wounded.” - WW statement after learning to kayak in our Chicago progressive pool sessions in January, 2012.

Adaptive Adventures believes in promoting and fostering the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history. Adaptive Adventures will continue to serve the adaptive sports communities beyond Illinois and Colorado, traveling the country to support a variety of programs and veterans in an array of settings. As experts in adaptive sports, Adaptive Adventures enhances the veterans components of other adaptive sports programs through technical and organizational support and provides a valuable contribution to empoweringveteran's nationally.

Adaptive Adventures’ programs are structured to enhance overall fitness and build skills in its core sports offering each veteran a progression of opportunities that encourage participation in more advanced programs.  All programs will serve WW with a wide range of injuries including amputation, spinal cord injury (SCI), visual impairment (VI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The following specific programs will be implemented with this grant:

Fitness and Skill Development Program (FSD)

Alpine Skiing:  
AAMO will continue to offer signature ski clinics in Wisconsin for veterans in the Chicago area which offers eight sessions of skill building, balance and conditioning through skiing and/or riding. A heavy emphasis is put on working toward independence so that veterans can ski with family and friends.
AAMO will continue to train staff and volunteers at other adaptive ski programs in the Midwest and nationally who do not have access to proper equipment and knowledge but are trying to serve the needs of their local WW. These local programs will serve as a source of participants for our Rocky Mountain camps.
AAMO will host four ski camps that are designed to take veterans to the next level of skiing. Multi-day camps allow for a greater degree of skill development and fitness. Camps include intensive instructor training, skiing on variable terrain, and opportunities to socialize and learn from peers. NASTAR racing will be offered at the end of each camp for a fun, competitive experience and to provide opportunities for those interested in ski racing.

Cycling: 
Military personnel will be served through existing cycling clinics in Denver and a new weekly clinic program in Chicago. The program will also develop a progression to advance riders’ fitness and skills through endurance rides and organized multi-day cycling tours. To enhance motivation and fitness, a team environment will be created for advancing athletes who are motivated by their peers and coaches.

• Ongoing health and wellness opportunities in the spring, summer, and fall will be provided by cycling clinics that allow for interaction with non-veterans, youth, and the local communities in Chicago and Denver. Cycling opportunities for any ability will be provided with customized adaptive equipment and training.
• Veterans interested in joining Team AAMO (see Team AAMO information below) will train for and participate in Adaptive Adventures’ Jam the Damz 50K course. Family members, caregivers, and friends will be encouraged to participate as part of Team AAMO. Additionally, participants from the Midwest will be offered the opportunity to train for and participate in RAGBRAI (Ride Across Iowa) as part of Team AAMO.

Kayaking: 

Veterans will be served  through the existing and expanded kayak program. New multi-day kayak sessions in the Midwest will be offered during summer and winter.

• AAMO will provide ongoing fitness through drills and exercises at a weekly and monthly clinic in both Chicago and Denver.  
• AAMO will continue to build on the successful pool kayak series, implemented in Chicago this winter.
• AAMO will work with each WW to build skills, balance, strength and conditioning. Those who set and reach personal goals will be encouraged to attend one of the new adventure trips, such as a multi-day kayak experience in Wisconsin or Minnesota (See AAMO Adventure Program below).

 AAMO Adventure Program

The Adventure Program acknowledges and rewards wounded and injured service members who have committed to the FSD program. It differs from Team AAMO in that it is about challenge and growth through adventure and recreation. Some of the events offered include destination kayak trips, whitewater rafting trips, overnight camping, and multi-day bike tours.

    Water-ski/Wakeboarding:

• Veterans will have the opportunity to participate in a series of 4 water-ski/wakeboard clinics within 90 minutes of Chicago to build skills and conditioning in this challenging sport.
• One week of the Lake Powell Houseboat program will be dedicated specifically to a veteran. The trip is 5-7 days on a 68’ fully accessible houseboat on Lake Powell, UT. Primary activities on the trip include water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking.

   Whitewater Rafting

Two single day clinics and two new destination trips will be offered exclusively to veterans, with several other opportunities available for wounded warriors to join all of our rafting opportunties.

• The new rafting program focuses on team building exercises that create a community with other veterans, family, and volunteers.
  • One wounded warrior Family Trip will be hosted this season
• Special use permits from the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service  have been awarded to Adaptive Adventures allowing for unique experiences for veterans.

Team AAMO Program 

Veterans will be served  through a new program that builds on the skills learned in the FSD Program. Team AAMO supports all WW from entry level to experienced experts who continue to challenge themselves and grow through sports. The Team integrates WW as well as able-bodied individuals including their family, caregivers, and friends. Cycling, skiing and kayak opportunities will be offered in a group setting with goals focused on specific sports. Examples of Team AAMO events are the Steamboat All Mountain Camp, Steamboat Powdercat Trip, Steep and Deep Clinic, RAGBRAI- Bike Ride Across Iowa, Chicago Bike the Drive, as well as recreational kayak racing opportunities in Illinois and Colorado.

One-on-One Training Program

Veterans will be served through a new program that focuses on serving the needs of individuals that are not wholly met by group programming. WW will be identified from our current database of participants, existing programs, and personal referrals for individuals who do not perform well in a group setting, especially those afflicted with cognitive impairments.  AAMO will offer WW the opportunity for one-on-one instruction and coaching in a highly personalized setting for those needing ongoing individual attention. A combination of staff and highly trained volunteers will work with these individuals to develop skills in cycling, kayaking, skiing and waterskiing. Family members, caregivers, and friends will be included in this one-on-one program to provide additional support and encouragement.

Program Collaborations

In addition to our own All Mountain camp series, Adaptive Adventures provides organizational and technical support to many other adaptive sports programs providing sports and recreation opportunities to our nations Wounded Warriors. Our collaborations are spread out across the country and cover all of our major program areas including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, cycling, kayaking, water-skiing and wakeboarding. Research shows that people who participate in daily physical activity experience enhanced self-esteem and improved peer relationships, which correlate to increased achievement, overall better health and a higher quality of life.

• Balboa Naval Medical Center
• Brooke Army Medical Center
• Bethesda National Naval Medical Center
• Wounded Warrior Project
• Paralyzed Veterans of America National Veterans Wheelchair Games
• Disabled Sports USA
• Adaptive Sports Foundation
• Disabled American Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
• Hines VA Hospital 
• Milwaulkee VA Hospital
• National Ability Center
• Team River Runner 

AAMO Director - Chris Werhane