Great Adventures Start Here

Q: Rhonda, tell us a little about yourself.

Rhonda: I’ve been the Life Enrichment Specialist in the village for about 15 years now, and before that I worked 11 years in activities with nursing and assisted living while my kids were growing up. Outside of work, I love to travel, garden, and kayak—I actually just bought my own kayak after one of our trips! I live right here in Bridgewater with my dog, Ellie, and I have two grown boys who live nearby.

Q: What inspired the Adventure Club?

Rhonda: Last year at a conference, I took a class called “Don’t Baby the Baby Boomers.” It really got me thinking—why can’t we offer more adventurous things?

The Adventure Club isn’t about age or limitations. I put out a survey asking [residents], “What’s on your bucket list?” and got the most wonderful range of answers. Some were small, like wanting to visit a favorite restaurant or go blueberry picking. Others were big—ziplining, kayaking, even a hot air balloon ride.

When people retire, they finally have time. And what better way to use that time than trying something you’ve always dreamed of—especially with neighbors and friends?

Q: What kinds of adventures have you embarked on so far?

Rhonda: So many! Blueberry picking, a soak in the Warm Springs pools, fishing at a trout pond, and then a fish fry afterward.

We’ve gone rock climbing on a real rock wall—people there were shocked to see BRC residents climbing! We’ve kayaked on the North River; we went to the Safari Park.

One of my favorites was taking [resident] Carolyn Price ziplining! She had the biggest grin on her face the whole way. Watching her check that off her list was just incredible.

Our biggest adventure so far has been “riding the rails” in West Virginia. You get on these pedal-powered rail cars and go 12 miles through the mountains. I thought, ‘There’s no way,’ but it’s pedal-assisted—like an e-bike on rails. We took 16 people, made it an overnight trip, visited New River Gorge, and stopped at Tamarack. Beautiful trip.

And now kayaking has become one of our newest favorites!

Q: How do you choose which adventures to pursue?

Rhonda: Almost everything comes straight from residents. They bring me newspaper clippings, magazine articles, ideas from friends, things they’ve always wanted to try.

If it’s possible—and even sometimes when it seems impossible—I’ll try to make it happen.

And we (the Life Enrichment Team) also balance big trips with onsite things: art classes, drawing workshops, cooking demos, concerts, and eventually I want to offer hands-on cooking classes where residents make their own pasta, for example.

Q: Derek from Outdoor Adventure Experiences, Inc. has becomea big part of the club’s outings. How does that partnership help bring these experiences to life for residents?

Rhonda: I’ve known Derek Young for years—he works in life enrichment at another community and runs guided outdoor adventures all over the Valley, so partnering with him was a natural fit.

Before taking residents kayaking, he took me out on the river to test everything—how to get in and out of the kayak, what happens if someone tips (nobody did!), how to steer, and how to stop.

He’s been fantastic. He even suggested rafting, so we took a group of team members first just to see whether residents could do it. (They can—it just takes some paddling!)

I’m hoping to partner with him on more adventures down the road.

Q: What does the “adventure dream team” look like behind the scenes?

Rhonda: I’ve received amazing support! Donovan in fitness has helped assess who’s ready for things like rock climbing and has even thrown out big ideas—like a NASCAR driving experience.

Dining, marketing, and maintenance have pitched in on different trips. Team members are eager to volunteer to come along. People love helping residents try new things.

It really does take a village, and I’m grateful for everyone who jumps in.

Q: What does it take to turn a resident’s bucket-list dream into a real-life adventure?

Rhonda: It’s a lot—just like planning a family vacation for 14 people! Hotels, transportation, timing, meals, dietary needs, accessibility, motion sickness, sleeping arrangements—you name it.

For overnight trips, I invite interested residents to meet in person so we can figure out all those details. But for day adventures, I start with residents who originally marked interest, and then we expand from there.

And anyone, anytime, can bring me an idea or hop in on an adventure. Missed kayaking? That just means we’ll plan another float!

Q: What kind of excitement have you seen from residents so far?

Rhonda: They are so excited! They bring me ideas every day. They ask when the next adventure is and help spread the word—someone comes back from kayaking all fired up, and suddenly three neighbors want to try it too.

The two most-requested adventures so far? A hot air balloon ride and, believe it or not, skydiving—yes, skydiving! I told one resident I’d happily drive the van and film the whole thing, but I will not be jumping out of a plane! Fortunately, a team member has already volunteered to go with him.

I even have a big Mississippi River cruise planned for next year—over 20 people have signed up to go already.

Q: What moments have made you stop and think, “This is why I do this”?

Rhonda: Taking Carolyn ziplining and watching her soar—that was unforgettable. She also pedaled the entire 12-mile rail ride without stopping—just incredible.

And then there are the small moments, like teaching people how to make s’mores—some had never made one before! Those simple joys are just as meaningful.

Q: What do you hope residents take away from Adventure Club?

Rhonda: That you can come to BRC to live… really live.

Adventures don’t have to be big. For someone, “energy for life” might be kayaking a river. For another, it might be walking to Maple Terrace for lunch or going to a concert.

What matters is having something to look forward to—and a community beside you. I love watching residents help each other on these trips, link arms, cheer each other on, and share the excitement. It feels like family.

Q: What’s next?

Rhonda: More ideas come in every week—tattoos, ear piercings, cooking classes, clay shooting, hot air balloons, skydiving, and who knows what else.

Honestly, the adventure I’m most excited about might be one I haven’t even imagined yet.

And I want residents to know: my door is always open. No idea is too silly, too small, or too big. Bring me your bucket list, and let’s see where it takes us!