Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

A few weeks ago, some special needs kids had some special fun in the Kern Valley as Leaps-n-Boundz held a rafting and outdoor adventure weekend May 2-3. Kids aged 3-22 who suffer from a variety of disabilities, along with their families, had a great time experiencing some of the wonderful activities the Kern Valley has to offer.

Leaps-n-Boundz is a program which offers adaptive sports and fitness classes for autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, and more in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. The program spans a wide age-range, currently from 17 months to 27 years old, and offers therapeutic movement and recreational sports and activities to kids who are often overlooked for these types of activities. Referrals to the program are by word of mouth; Leaps-n-Boundz doesn’t advertise, but instead depends on relationships with physical therapists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, and speech therapists. “This is something they want the kids to get involved with to supplement those therapeutic interventions,” explained Leaps-n-Boundz Partner Joclynn Benjamin, “It’s in a fun environment, so they don’t feel like they’re doing therapy; they have fun going to gymnastics, or swimming, or music class.”

Four to five times a year, Leaps-n-Boundz offers weekend getaways, and this season they decided to go whitewater rafting for the first time with Kern River Outfitters. In addition, they were able to use paddleboats, kayaks, and wave runners at French Gulch Marina. Because the group was so large, half did rafting on Saturday while the other did marina activities, and then switched the second day. Saturday night, the group camped at the group campsite at Tillie Creek and had a big barbecue and, of course, s’mores, followed by a talent show in the amphitheater with dancing, singing, and skits, for evening entertainment.

“These weekends are amazing,” said one mother at the conclusion of the trip, which was her family’s fourth Leaps-n-Boundz weekend getaway, “Half of the things that are set up we never would have thought we could do individually or as a family. Everything is welcoming and inviting.”

These weekend getaways are offered throughout the year so that families can interact with other families in the same situation. This year, in addition to the Kern River trip, Leaps-n-Boundz is offering a winter ski trip in Big Bear, a boat trip to Catalina Island, a surfing and camping trip, and a train ride to Santa Barbara to go to the Santa Barbara zoo and other activities. Leaps-n-Boundz employees work the trips as volunteers, completely without pay, because for them, it’s more than a job, it’s a calling to help families in need. “Families get a chance to network with each other while the kids get to interact with each other,” said Benjamin of the weekend trips, “It’s so hard for these kids to make a friend. We want to create an environment for these families to make a connection with each other. The typical siblings get left out, since so much energy is focused on the disabled child. We offer a way for the typical siblings to have fun with their family. We want them to feel like they’re a part of something, too; they’re included in everything we do.”

The group had such a fantastic time on their first Kern River trip that they are already planning on coming back next year, and increasing the trip another day to explore more of what the Kern Valley has to offer. “Deb and Bill [Chase] made us feel so at home at the [French Gulch] marina, and hooked us up with so many wonderful vendors, that we are considering making this an annual trip, and would like to move from Lickety Split to the ½ to full day rafting and stay an extra day and night,” said Benjamin, “One night was too short, there’s so much to see and do there.”

To learn more about Leaps-n-Boundz, visit their website at http://leapsnboundz.com.