Enabling Explorers

To support children, youth, and young adults with disability — and their families — through engagement in healthy, lifelong recreational activities in the community.

Who are we?

Enabling Explorers is organized and conducted by Pediatric Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists at Gritman Therapy Solutions. The program is open to ALL explorers with disability and their families. We have participants from Moscow, Deary, Troy, Lewiston and Potlatch in Idaho, as well as Pullman, Palouse, Clarkston and Endicott in Washington. We encourage families to participate together.

The Enabling Explorers program is made possible through the generous support of donors to the Gritman Foundation.

Interested in volunteering with the Enabling Explorers team? If you are interested in working with children and young adults of all abilities, we would love your help! Enabling Explorers host monthly activities and events in the region. Come explore with us!

Enabling Explorers began with a small bike group in 2014 at the prompting of parents’ desires for their children to learn cycling. In the years since, the program has expanded from biking to hiking to half-day outings such as rafting and ropes courses.

As the program has grown and evolved, Enabling Explorers has added snowshoeing, kayaking, gymnastics and rock climbing.

To ensure authentic experiences, Enabling Explorers partners with local businesses, guides and instructors.

For more information on how to participate or volunteer, email lori.mages@gritman.org.

Our Goals:

• Encourage exploration of recreational activities for people with disability and their families
• Support positive engagement with peers
• Build confidence through supported activities
• Promote communication and appropriate social interaction with peers and volunteers
• Increase community awareness of people with disability through participation in community events

Zoey, an 11-year-old 4-H student, donated proceeds from the steer she sold at the 2024 Palouse Empire Fair to Gritman’s Enabling Explorers program.

Zoey is the daughter of Jackie and Jeremy Hodson, and an Enabling Explorers participant. Money raised from the sale of Rockstar was split between the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane and Enabling Explorers — a $3,700 contribution to the Gritman program.

Thank you, Zoey, for your kindness and support for our program!