BLAST AND CAST FOR WELLNESS 2021

BLAST AND CAST FOR WELLNESS

2021

BY DANIELLE DE LEON WITH EVOKE CHANGES OUTDOORS NONPROFIT

During the last week of January, Evoke Changes Outdoors Nonprofit invited a small group of veterans and first responders to Baffin Bay in South Texas for a long weekend filled with duck hunting and fishing. Baffin Bay is world-renowned for its trophy trout fishing opportunities, while slower seasons can offer down time for hunting. As the alarms went off at 5am, an underlying tone of excitement motivated everyone to get the day going. Hot breakfast and coffee scented the air in the kitchen of Baffin Bay Rod and Gun lodge. It was

Captain Sally Black’s generous donation of her lodge rooms that brought comfort and restoration to attendees before embarking on adventurous daily activities.

Before long, the group was off to the boat docks- packing their shotguns and fishing poles.

We hit the water before daylight, listening to the salty waves splash along the side of the boat as we charged to the duck blind. On arrival, decoys were set, seats tucked into the duck blind, shotguns loaded - all with big smiles of anticipation across everyone’s face. While the overcast skies began to light, everyone was fixated on watching the horizon for any movement. Yet this focus didn’t distract from the laughter and joking commentary among the group. The camaraderie and memories being made are a primary mission of the nonprofit. We want our veteran and first responder attendees to feel as though they have a group to relate to that is easy to connect with. We want them to feel as though they are a part of something larger. It didn’t take long for the first few groups of ducks to fly over. “It sounds like Gettysburg over there,” called Captain Bo Patrick over the radio. “There’s another group coming your way.”

The sun kept rising, hours clicked by, shotgun shells littered the ground. After a quick clean up and walk back to the boat, we were ready to hit the other side of the bay. Everyone munched on snacks and drank some water while we traveled to a prime fishing spot.

Background:

Landscape photo of a cloudy afternoon fishing in Baffin Bay, Texas.

Left: Veterans waiting for ducks to fly close enough for a successful hit at the duck blind in Baffin Bay, Texas

Jumping into the shallow waters with a wading belt around our waist and fishing pole in hand, we were ready to catch some fish. We all spread out to sink some lures in our own area. Trout, redfish and flounder were on the menu. As everyone went their own way, stillness moved through the group. It was a perfect time for calmness and reflection. Soon enough, it was time to head back to the lodge to clean up and get ready for dinner. Every evening we arrived to the sight of food being cooked by Michael Deering from Celanese Bishop Facility and Veterans ERG. From a traditional Louisiana shrimp boil with string beans and brussel sprouts, to shredded chicken, pork shoulder, giant steaks and bacon wrapped potatoes. The food was superb. Michael’s generous donation of food and his time cooking was greatly appreciated. It was the meals and the lodge that created a space for everyone to bond over delicious food and share recounts about the day. The largest differentiator to Evoke Changes Outdoors Adventure Therapy trips is the mix of clinical therapeutic knowledge that is interlaced into the various adventure trips. A workbook that focused on emotional coping skills and building Emotional Intelligence (EQ) was provided at the beginning of the weekend. During the evenings before bed, the group reviewed specific sections of the workbook with clinical therapist Sean Patrick. He focused on connecting the daily activities with opportunities of reflection and self-analysis. What was a hope for the trip? Did you have any fears? Was anything uncomfortable that influenced our mood during the weekend? How did we physically feel during those times? The discussion centered around building self-awareness and identifying any triggers that might have shown up or influenced experiences with others. It also encouraged taking time to journal and reflect on various quotes provided in the workbook before bed or prior to starting the day. By using the excitement, fatigue and focus brought by engaging in new experiences, the concept of therapy expands beyond sitting on a couch in an office- a type

On left: Veterans and First Responders proud of their morning hits while duck hunting in Baffin Bay, Texas. Below right: Veteran Steve loading his shotgun to prepare for some duck hunting in Baffin Bay, Texas. Below left: Group of veterans, first responders, and guides posing with their morning duck hits.

of therapy that can deeply improve one’s overall quality of life in a very effective way.

Evoke Changes Outdoors currently offers annual trips in Texas and Montana specifically for veterans and first responders. Adventures range in focus yet generally include hunting ducks, deer, or elk, fly-fishing, hiking and rafting. Every trip teams with a clinical therapist who reviews a therapeutic workbook and is trained to provide care for those seeking mental wellness. Sean Patrick (LCPC) is a clinical counselor who is also a licensed guide in Montana. As the president of Evoke Changes Outdoors, his goal is to put his experiences and knowledge towards healing those who have served our communities and country most. This unique combination of therapeutic care is paving the way for a new type of therapy: Adventure Therapy.

By the end of the weekend, many were reluctant to leave. Some were excited to share their experiences with others because it was memorable, while others were excited to connect with other friends who also enjoyed these hobbies through duck hunting and fishing. Yet everyone was excited to take home some leftover food and vacuum sealed packs of fish and duck. It was the heartfelt good-byes, grateful smiles and overall connectivity amongst the group displayed that Evoke Changes Outdoors had accomplished their goals with the first annual Blast and Cast for Wellness Adventure Therapy trip. Evoke Changes Outdoors is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that provides therapeutic outdoor adventures to veterans and first responders. These adventures aid in the development of the tools used to improve an individual’s emotional coping skills, daily functioning abilities, and overall quality of life. We are already excited about next year and can’t wait to share this opportunity with more veterans and first responders. Visit www.evokechangesoutdoors.org for more information on upcoming trips and adventure therapy opportunities for veterans and first responders. ★

Danielle de Leon Evoke Changes Outdoors Nonprofit danielle@evokechanges.com (406)291-6526 PO BOX 1371 Kalispell, MT 59903

Above: Guide Trey collecting duck decoys before heading out to fish in Baffin Bay, Texas. On right: Veteran Steve sharing his two plates of dinner at Baffin Bay Rod and Gun lodge in Baffin Bay, Texas: steak, bacon wrapped potato and Texas toast that was cooked by Michael Deering with Celanese Bishop Facility and Veterans ERG. Below: Captain Bo’s boat pulling into our afternoon fishing spot in Baffin Bay, Texas.