Background
All Out Adventures (AOA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was founded in 2001 by two people with physical disabilities and two alumnae of the Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College. One of the Founders continues to serve on the Board of Directors.
Since our founding in 2001, we have paddled, hiked, skied, skated, camped, and more with thousands of people throughout Massachusetts. Our programs are open to people of all ages, experience levels, and abilities. Most of our programs are either no cost to participants or are a very nominal fee. As we break down the barriers to participation in outdoor recreation, we strive to ensure that cost is not a barrier.
Funding
All Out Adventures currently has three major contracts or grants that provide for about 65% of our operating costs:
- Department of Conservation and Recreation's Universal Access Program: Through this contract, we provide low or no cost activities to people with disabilities and their family and friends in state parks and forests throughout Massachusetts.
- Statewide Head Injury Program: Through this contract, we provide 3 - 4 recreational programs throughout Massachusetts for people with brain injuries and their family and friends.
- Veterans Adaptive Sports Grant: Through this partnership with the federal Veterans Administration and the VA Central Western Healthcare System in Leeds, MA, we offer kayaking and cycling programs to Veterans and disabled Members of the Armed Forces.
The rest of our operating costs come from donations, private program fees, grants, and the profits from recumbent trike sales. Over 80% of every dollar raised directly supports our programming.
Meet the Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karen Foster
Karen began as a Program Leader for All Out Adventures in January, 2004 and was appointed Executive Director in October, 2007. Prior to joining the team at All Out Adventures, Karen worked as a 9th grade history teacher, as a middle school-based program administrator, as a coastal kayaking and road cycling instructor for the REI Outdoor School, and as an educational program evaluator. She attended a National Outdoor Leadership School backpacking trip leader course at Mt. Rainier National Park, is certified in Wilderness First Aid, as a Leave No Trace Trainer, and as a kayak instructor with an adaptive endorsement. She holds a B.A. in history from The College of Wooster and an M.S. in Educational Administration from the University at Albany, SUNY.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
SusanTracy
Sue is the Program Director for All Out Adventures. In addition to developing and coordinating AOA’s programs, Sue has led hundreds of adaptive recreation programs including paddling, cycling, camping and winter programs since joining AOA in the spring of 2006. Sue holds a degree in Communications/ Media from Fitchburg State College and is a graduate of the North Quabbin Woods guide-training program. Sue is an ACA certified basic coastal kayak instructor with an adaptive endorsement. Prior to joining All Out Adventures, she worked as a graphic designer.
TRIKE MECHANIC
Russ Mayhew
Russ joined the All Out Adventures team in the spring of 2016. A retired Air Traffic Controller, Russ found a second career as a bike mechanic working at shops in Virginia, Florida, and Oregon. Russ maintains our fleet of adaptive cycles, works with customers interested in purchasing a recumbent trike, and assembles and maintains all of the trikes that we sell.
PROGRAM LEADER
Rowan Gay
Rowan joined All Out Adventures in Spring, 2015 and has been leading kayaking, cycling, and winter programs since. He has worked in canoe and kayak retail sales and is an American Canoe Association certified kayak instructor. When he's not leading programs for AOA, Rowan is working on a degree in biology at the University of Massachusetts.
PROGRAM LEADER
Jacquelyn Brown
PROGRAM LEADER
Patti Dougherty
PROGRAM LEADER
Matt Lucier
WINTER PROGRAM LEADER
Adrienne Phelps
WINTER PROGRAM LEADER
Anna Boysen
Anna has been leading winter programs for All Out Adventures since the winter of 2014. Having grown up in Norway, she brings her passion and experience with cross country skiing to programs. She holds an MFA from the Glasgow School of Art and is a 2010 graduate of Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Leadership program. She has led day trips and expeditions for the Wilderness School in Connecticut as well as for Adventure In Adventure Out, based in Amherst, MA. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid.
WINTER PROGRAM LEADER
Corey Cusson
Corey has been with All Out Adventures since the 2008 Kayak-a-thon, when he volunteered as a tandem paddler. He joined the team in 2009 and has been leading programs since. A graduate of the Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College, Corey has held certifications as a Wilderenesss EMT, ACA Canoe and Kayak Instructor, and as a rock climbing instructor. He has worked as a Program Leader for Rustic Pathways and as a medical officer aboard Schooner Adventures. In 2013 he graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in English and currently works full time as an Editorial Assistant at Storey Publishing in North Adams.
WINTER PROGRAM LEADER
Daniel Sullivan
Dan joined All Out Adventures in the fall of 2015. A 2015 graduate of the Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College, Dan holds certifications as a backcountry guide, Wilderness First Responder, climbing instructor, and canoe instructor. He holds a television and film degree from Desales University and previously worked as a social worker.
Meet the Board
We are actively seeking new members to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more about this deeply meaningful way to give back, please call or email us to learn more.
DIRECTOR
Susan Crawford
Susan, a management consultant to nonprofit organizations in New York City, was a grant maker for two foundations and an executive director for a management firm of nonprofits. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the New School for Social Research, a certificate in strategic planning from Columbia University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management, a B.A. in French literature from Elms College, and is the author of Managing the Future: A Leader’s Guide, published by the Fund for the City of New York.
DIRECTOR
Karen Cartier
Karen has over 25 years of experience in the fields of finance and banking. She is currently employed as the Compliance & BSA Officer at Greenfield Savings Bank and is an online course instructor for the Center for Financial Training, where she teaches Fraud Examination and Accounting Forensics. Karen is certified in Compliance, Bank Secrecy, and Fraud Analytics, and has completed studies at Holyoke Community College, Elms College, and the New England School of Financial Studies through the Babson Executive College.
PRESIDENT
Philippe Galaski
Philippe Galaski is one of the founders of All Out Adventures and its current President. He graduated as a Physical Therapist in France and also worked in Israel and Massachusetts. While in Philadelphia he worked as an advocate for people with disabilities at Liberty Resources, an Independent Living Center, helping people set up their Personal Care Attendants. He had Polio as a child and has therefore extensive experience as a person with a disability, a care giver and an advocate.
DIRECTOR
Ben Levy
Ben is a man with many interests and talents- He is an artisan bread baker at Whole Foods and the owner of Amherst dog wash.
he is an avid bicyclist and down hill skier and enjoys most outdoor activities -You can often see Benjamin walking his dog Luna in amethyst brook or biking with Luna in her bike carrier.
Ben is also involved in community activities and fundraisers -
Secretary
Camille Richards
DIRECTOR
George Heake