Forest Preserves of Cook County 2022 Fall Brochure

Learn more: For the Camping Leadership Immersion Course or the Day Hiking Leadership Training, email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov . For the Greater Maywood Paddling Program, email experience.kayaking@cookcountyil.gov . library,” explains Kim Meares- Surprenant, program director with Opportunity Knocks (OK),a nonprofit based in River Forest that strives to provide new and exciting educational opportunities for young people—called Warriors—who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to learning critical skills for leading a group outing, adults who complete a training program receive supplemental learning materials, gain access to a set of specific gear for the activity, and more. “These training programs are designed to help reduce barriers to accessing the outdoors,” explains Brian Arnoldt, program coordinator with the Forest Preserves. At Opportunity Knocks, each program fulfills one or more of the five main pillars: voice, interdependence, experience, wellness, and social. “When we think of wellness, there is a physical aspect of it, but there is also that mindful aspect. Being in nature is just a very healthy way to be well. And being in the Forest Preserves is a way for us to explore nature in a beautiful setting,” says Meares-Surprenant. Having completed all three of the Forest Preserves’ training programs, Meares-Surprenant appreciates using the Preserves as a calming setting for OK Warriors to experience new things and considers nature to be a “learning lab.” “We are practicing experiential learning at its best. We are developing our skillsets in working together as a team, planning and preparing. We are learning how to relax in nature; and we’re learning about nature in general by going on hikes and exploring different plants and seeing wildlife,” shares Meares- Surprenant. 36