Our students who canoe and kayak have a range of adaptations to help them participate effectively. Paddles can be connected to the student's hands or forearms with the use of Velcro or heavy duty rubber bands. Often a beanbag or other seat adaptation is placed inside a canoe to provide comfort and stability to an individual with poor upper body strength. Volunteers are a crucial part of the boating experience . Volunteers help our students feel comfortable in the water, assisting them in getting in and out of a canoe or kayak and working on water and boating safety techniques.
Horseback riding requires extensive volunteer assistance and some physical adaptations.
Volunteers help the individual get on and off the horse, stand by the student as the horse begins moving, assisting him or her in maintaining balance and allaying fears. Orienteering is a sport that involves following an established course, usually in the woods, using a map and compass. Courses designed for MHS are wheelchair accessible. Participants are given a map and compass and a route to follow. Orienteering gives our students the opportunity to learn navigational skills on land, map reading techniques and an added bonus with our lessons, plant and animal track identification.