In March alone, the local branch of Luke5Adventures logged more than 700 volunteer hours as they hiked the trails of Tucson.
But it wasn’t as simple as it sounds.
The volunteers were carrying extra weight up these trails.
The group’s volunteers assist people with disabilities on nature hikes using special equipment that helps carry them. This often requires more than one volunteer.
Their goal is to give those who wouldn’t be able to experience the outdoors an opportunity to get outside.
But they need more help to continue their work.
If organizers have their way, they hope to increase the hiking opportunities they provide those facing accessibility challenges in the upcoming months.
It all started when founder Kevin Schweiger went on a hike and wanted to share his experience with fellow church member, Debi Rosen, who was wheelchair bound after a devastating car accident.
Schweiger loved the outdoors and frequently enjoyed going on hikes in his spare time.
As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Schweiger hoped to share the beauty of the outdoors with everyone he knew.
His love for the outdoors motivated Schweiger to start Luke5Adventures in 2019, an organization that works to give those with disabilities the opportunity to go on hikes.
He hoped this would allow those with disabilities to be able to experience the outdoors as freely as he did.
Luke5Adventures originally began in Cincinnati, Ohio. Soon after, Schweiger expanded and is now organizing hikes all over the country.
The name of the organization was inspired by the gospel of Luke Chapter 5 when Jesus’ followers carried a paralyzed man to see him.
“Fast forward to today, and we’re coming up on our 2,000th hike in the last five plus years, and now we have 11 chapters that are spread around the country.” Schweiger said.
The Tucson chapter is one of the most prolific.
The Tucson chapter started in 2022 and now has over 40 hikers and 100 volunteers who support those with disabilities on the hikes.
“99% of the world that we live in is not accessible to people with disabilities, because it’s where the sidewalks end, so to speak,” said Tucson Chapter Director Janet Hale. “And so his (Schweiger’s) goal was to try to get as many people with disabilities out in the hiking environment.”
Hale is eager to continue leading the Tucson chapter and is hopeful at the idea of expanding.
“We had our best month we’ve had, as far as having the number of hikers we did. We actually did 20 hikes in the month of March,” Hale said. “Our goal is to just grow as far as being known who we are and what we do in Tucson, and just providing an opportunity to make the impossible possible, and those who would not otherwise be able to hike, our beautiful hiking trails in and around Tucson”
Their work is not possible without donations from the community and volunteers, which the organization calls “sherpas.”
The Tucson chapter has a base of over 100 volunteers, but they are looking to expand so they can increase the number of hikes they go on.
This past month, they logged a total of 714 volunteer hours that were contributed by the Tucson community.
“We can’t function without our sherpas, our volunteers, no doubt, but there’s a lot that’s costly behind the scenes,” Hale said, citing “the Rosie” — a device used to transport individuals facing mobility challenges – which costs more than $8,000.
To get involved, visit luke5adventures.com for more information.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
