By Holly Overman
Have you heard of Connect Outdoors? If you haven’t, well, you’re about to…
Connect Outdoors Inc. is an organization that was founded by Scott Perkins in 2010. They specialize in nationwide outreach to blind individuals and veterans. Their mission is to provide life-changing outdoor experiences to the blind and military veterans giving them hope and confidence. They use their weekend camps, local events, as well as their regional hunting and fishing camps to provide blind individuals and veterans the joy of being outdoors.
Through their programs the mentors, guides, and volunteers encourage the participants to reach outside their comfort zone to explore the unknown. They help blind individuals adjust to life without sight and allow the vets a relaxing transition back to civilian life. Above all else, they build relationships with each individual and keep them in the loop so they’re able to continue being involved. They also encourage the fact that they have a purpose in life to keep going.
The founder Scott Perkins, felt there was a void in his life, like there was something that he should be doing. One day he received a call from a friend of his to see if he’d take a blind fella that he knew on a turkey hunt. At first, he was nervous to take a visually impaired guy out in the woods but he was determined to try.
On the day of the hunt, it was early in the morning and still dark as they made their way out there. Scott linked arms with him so that he’d feel certain movements and possibly prevent falls. Scott tried to pace himself for him but the guy stopped and said that he didn’t have to do that for his sake. He was managing just fine with his device called the Omega Sight. The Omega Sight helps to detect objects that might be in front of him. They actually made it out to their hunting blind without incident.
Once they got settled, Scott set the weapon on a tripod with the Omega Sight on top. Two hours later he harvested his very first turkey. This young man turkey had hunted for many years before he lost his eye vision, so this hunting experience made him extremely happy. From that point on, Scott knew exactly what he was suppose to do. This became his mission.
Now how do they help a visually impaired or blind participant harvest game? Well, they can see the screen on the Omega Sight that sits on the weapon and it even ranges wild game. Since you have to remain quiet, they found a way to let them know which direction to adjust to in order to make a good shot. For them to move left or right, they’ll tap that corresponding shoulder. For them to move up or down, they’ll tap the head or mid back. Or if they’re able, they reach around and guide the sling of the weapon in the direction it should be for them to make the shot.
Connect Outdoors actively recruit veterans to partner up with other veterans that have completed rehabilitation from similar disabilities for the Vet 2 Vet Program. Through which they help each other overcome their own struggles. You’ll learn more about that program and others down below…
Connect Outdoors require all veterans to complete a specifically designed training program so that they can begin mentoring others if they choose to. The program focuses on specific training that will be taught by veterans to the blind and visually impaired participants through the VMP program. They retrain them so that they can be stronger than their disability. Teaching them how to overcome obstacles so they learn that they can accomplish anything in life.
Once the participants have completed a program or an event with COI; they become self-confident, self-sufficient, and more independent. They come out reacclimated so that they can cope with their situation better and have an even brighter life ahead of them. Which is the best part of their ultimate mission.
Through this program, they offer a veteran-to-veteran mentoring program. While COI is primarily focused on serving the blind and visually impaired community; the use and support of military veterans is crucial to the success of Connect Outdoors. When developing this program, they could not think of anyone better suited to help a struggling veteran than one who had successfully overcome their own struggles.
In this program, struggling veterans are paired up with a veteran that is coping with the same issue. This program provides a sponsor and mentoring approach for both veterans that extends beyond COI sponsored events. It is supported by the first of the three R’s. Successful completion of this program will provide the opportunity for vets to advance to the VMP program.
Through this program, they offer the blind and visually impaired an unbelievable mentoring opportunity with a specifically selected veteran. It offers a dual benefit by taking advantage of the protective instincts of the veterans with a special bonding opportunity between the individuals in need. Both individuals are able to teach and learn from each other. Each pairing is hand selected based on a thorough screening process to ensure that they match like-minded individuals that are capable of achieving the goals of the program. That process coincides with the Vet 2 Vet Program.
Participants in this program learns how to become more independent as their veteran volunteers will assist but not complete tasks for the VIO participants. The vets will be required to complete a blind education training course that’s been specially developed by a blind, retired US Marine. This program is supported by the Vet 2 Vet Program and achieves the second of the Three R’s. Each successful pairing in the VIO Program is permitted to move forward to the VBM Program.
Through this program they offer the blind and visually impaired exclusive hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the U.S. Their goal with this program is to achieve their mission of offering a life-changing experience for their participants. In this program, their participants are paired up with a guide and videographer to help them along their way.
This program achieves the final of COI's three R’s by successfully retraining and reacclimating their blind participants with their current lifestyle. Blind and visually impaired participants will be granted continued support and will have the opportunity to attend events of their choosing throughout the United States. Participant attendance will only be restricted based on the event limitations.
The Outdoor Adventure Days are a full family event and are not restricted to just the blind or veterans. They go to all communities to put on these events which includes air rifle or .22 rifle target practice, archery instruction, cornhole, fishing, bonfires, sack races, and much more. The main attraction is the "Call of the Wild" show that features different sounds of the American wild from eastern turkeys to howling coyotes. They bring the outdoors to you through this hair raising, heart pounding adventure. They travel to events and venues centered on the blind and visually impaired.
There are some great therapeutic properties that outdoor adventures provide our veterans and visually impaired participants. For starters, it is peaceful being surrounded by nature and listening to the wildlife that is around you. They also receive the comradery with the mentors and other participants. Connect Outdoors tries to challenge each participant to push their limitations beyond their comfort zones, which in turn builds self-confidence and independence. These veterans once had sight but lost it due to injuries. Some also struggle with PTSD. The suicidal rates are high enough with our veterans. Giving them hope and something to look forward to in a peaceful environment is crucial.
The biggest challenges they face is the support, especially financially, and finding the right people to volunteer. It takes a special kind of person to do what is necessary for each individual participant. Another big challenge they have is bringing awareness to a broader audience. They strive to provide the very best experience for every individual and that takes a lot of support and appreciation.
As a Nonprofit organization, Connect Outdoors rely heavily on sponsors and donations to provide the services that they do. Their goal is to provide the participants with therapeutic and rewarding trips at no cost to them. In order to achieve this goal and organize quality events it requires quality products, lodging, and meals for participants, guides, and event staff. They have many things planned and even greater things to come for all involved. If you would like to help to make a difference by donating to this incredible organization, visit https://connect-outdoors.org/make-a-difference/. Also be sure to follow them on social media and check out their website, www.connect-outdoors.com.