NRS it at is again, helping more people from diverse backgrounds get out on the water. On January 28, after a live premiere at Chicago’s Big Marsh Park, the paddling gear giant released its new film, LEADing the Way with Zorbari Nwidor & Chicago Adventure Therapy. “Leading the Way” is a film series that celebrates and promotes NRS ambassadors, organizations and projects fostering inclusivity and positive change in the outdoors.
This installment centers around Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT), uses adventure and the outdoors to foster a sense of empowerment and positive mental health among Chicago youth— from their first time camping to multi-day paddling excursions. LEADing the Way with Zorbari Nwidor focuses on a recent trip to the Apostle Islands with Chicago Adventure Therapy, telling the story of how Zorbari found her own way to water.
“It’s an amazing mission to be able to bring the healing powers of the outdoors to the young people in the inner city, specifically Chicago,” says Chicago Adventure Therapy Executive Director Zorbari Nwidor. “Healing can be done in multiple ways; you can heal someone physically as a doctor, but you can also heal them emotionally and holistically heal them.”
Zorbari Nwidor knows the transformative power of getting out in nature first-hand. The first time she sat in a kayak, it was inside a gymnasium, as part of a college and careers fair. She knew, even then, that it was the start of something special. Now, as the incoming Executive Director of Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT), Zorbari draws on her experiences from climbing, camping and kayaking with CAT to introduce Chicago youth to the healing powers of the outdoors. She’s introducing a whole new generation of Chicago youth to the healing powers of the outdoors—starting with a multi-day kayak trip in the Apostle Islands while using nature and adventure as tools for healing and self-discovery among Chicago inner city youth and young adults.
“Even if it’s just one young person who walks away and says, this changed my life, that this opened my eyes to something different, to something else—it makes it worth it,” she says.
And the staff and participants are loving it. “The kayaking, the rock climbing… it like, builds character. It helps you overcome fear, it helps you become social… it’s a lot,” says staff and program alumni Miguel Mendez. “A lot of these kids don’t know outside of Chicago. They’re only engaged in negative activities, so that’s all they know… I could say what really helped me, it was the sports, the outdoor adventure.”
Adds Apostle Islands program participant Gio Arrodondo: “The rocks, the caves—everything—the people; the vibes are amazing, the conversations… it’s life-changing, honestly.”
Watch video here:
Learn more here: https://www.chicagoadventuretherapy.org/
You Tube Link: https://youtu.be/jkz8HjfhQS4
Link to blog: https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/2025/01/28/leading-the-way-…dventure-therapy/
#LEADingtheWay #NRSLEAD #LEADathlete #adventuretherapy
