Wilderness Experiences

Wilderness Experiences

Jim & Denis

In June of 1975 my lifelong friend Denis Craine and I fulfilled a dream we had shared for a number of years – the establishment of a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to conducting outdoor educational experiences for youth and adults. Our program was aptly called Wilderness Experiences.

For the next 4-5 years more than 1,500 people shared the sun and clouds, snow and sleet, blue skies and gray clouds, wind and rain, and some of the most glorious environments around New York State and the rest of country, while participating in some of the most exciting adventures available in those locations. These adventures included:

Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania, and other rivers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia
Sailing from Montauk Point on Long Island to Martha’s Vineyard and the surrounding islands
Cross country skiing in New York and Colorado
Horsepacking in Colorado
Spelunking in New York
Rock climbing in New York and New Hampshire
Ice Climbing in New Hampshire and Colorado
Canoeing along the Delaware, Rio Grande, Housatonic, Nantahala and many other rivers

Timeout at Martha's Vineyard

Check out these fun videos...

Promotional "stunt" at the Nassau Coliseum as seen on NBC-TV (1MB)

Introduction to Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River as seen on WOR-TV (852 K)

Whitewater Rafting Part Two (3.2 MB)

Ice Climbing in Colorado

While conducting these trips for the general public, we were also able to provide a number of inner city youth with similar experiences. The most notable of the programs for city teens was our work with adjudicated youth in the South Bronx, New York City. In particular their whitewater rafting trip through Adirondacks remains close to my heart even today.

During all our adventures, participants not only learned about the environment and the skills necessary to participate in the activities, but most importantly, they learned about themselves and the people with whom they were sharing these experiences. Both Denis and myself as well as the various trip leaders - including Odds Bodkin, one of the most wonderful and unique men I have ever met – thoroughly enjoyed the company of a wide variety of men and women including lawyers, photographers, teachers, students, business leaders, dancers, actors, television personalities, police officers, sanitation workers, artists, postal workers and many others.

Mountain Climbing in the Soviet Union

I know I speak for Denis as well as the trip leaders when I say to those 1,500+ people:

"Thank you! Thanks for the laughs, the tears, the joy, the intimacy, the challenge,
the support, and most of all the spirit you brought to all of us."