Nonprofit Organization Celebrates Decades of All-Access Adventuring

Utah Public Radio | By Leslee Dean

Published March 13, 2014 at 5:55 PM MDT

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Martha Ham, first director of Splore, Steve Elam, Work Activity Director and Splore guides in 1980. The Work Activity Center was the first group of brave souls willing to float the Colorado River with Splore.

Martha Ham, Leslee Dean

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Mike Shurtleff with friend on the Colorado River around 2001. Mike was one of Splore's first passengers and continued to float with Splore for many years, eventually serving on the Board of Directors.

Martha Ham, Leslee Dean

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Joy at sunset!

Martha Ham, Leslee Dean

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All smiles at the "put in" on the Colorado River.

Martha Ham, Leslee Dean

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Veterans exploring the Wasatch Mountains.

Martha Ham, Leslee Dean

At StoryCorps, Martha Ham spoke with her friend Janine Donald about the creation of SPLORE, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor adventures to people of all abilities. Janine is the current director of SPLORE, and Martha founded SPLORE as a young woman. When the first river trip took place in 1977, the American Disabilities Act had not yet been passed and the public was not used to interacting with people with disabilities. Martha and Janine discussed the impact SPLORE has had on not only their lives, but the lives of the program's participants.

Nearly 30 years later, SPLORE continues to provide people of various ability levels with access to Utah's incredible landscape. The organization has expanded to include year-round programs in river running, climbing, canoeing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing and aims to serve people with disabilities, low income families, and veterans. To learn more about SPLORE visit the SPLORE website.

SPLORE.mp3

Listen to the full interview