Amy Flexman's enthusiasm for the outdoors is immediately apparent – it's the first time in more than 10 years as a journalist I've been asked to hold an interview “outside and not at a coffee shop, please.”
It's Flexman's love of the outdoors that led her to create Flexpeditions, and so I'm more than happy to accommodate her request. We meet at the Revelstoke Golf Club and even though it's a tad windy and the skies are threatening to storm at any moment we sit outside.
An Ontario transplant, Flexman moved to Revelstoke five years ago. Prior to her move here she spent 10 years working as an outdoor expedition raft guide. She'll head to Quebec this August to work as a guide on the Magpie River.Before that happens though, Flexman will run four weeks of summer programming through July as a test run for Flexpeditions, the outdoor adventure business she started two years ago. Two of the camps are geared towards teens, while the other two are open to any one aged 13 and older.
“It's exciting to move forward,” Flexman said. “Revelstoke has a plethora of industry experts. It's cool to be able to offer programs that draw on what all these experts have to offer and to be able to share it with people.”
Rather than trying to recreate existing resources, Flexman is teaming up with what's already available in Revelstoke and the surrounding area. For example, the July 3-5 Outdoor Climb and Cook will include local ACMG guides; the Teen-focused Mountain Bike Week and the Multisport Adventure Week includes mountain biking with Wandering Wheels; and local musicians are being sought after to offer workshops during the Outdoor Music Camp.
The camps are open to all levels whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced, but don't have anyone to go with.
“It's important to encourage everyone,” Flexman said. “Everyone is pushing their own limits, but cheering each other on.
“You don't have to have any experience. I got experience by doing things and then learning the areas I got passionate about. If you go with a group with all different levels you don't have to push all the time. Sometimes you just want to chill at your own levels.”
Flexpeditions July camps kick off with the Outdoor Climb and Cook July 3-5. Next is a Revelstoke Teen Multi-Sport Adventure Week July 7 -11. The week is open to teens 13-19 and will feature rafting, climbing, mountain biking and sea kayaking. The Mountain Bike Camp July 14-18 is also a teen-focused camp and will include biking at McPherson and Frisby Ridge. Participants will also work on trail maintenance.
“It's a way to model that when you use the trails you have to give back,” said Flexman.
The Mountain Bike Camp will also be going to Sol Mountain to help open up the trails in exchange for riding on the trails and checking out the Sol Mountain Lodge.
The last week of July camps is an Outdoor Music Camp, open to all ages 13 and above. The week will include a variety of workshops by musicians including the Good Ol’ Goats from Cranbrook, and United Church Minister Ken Jones who will give a workshop on crystal bowls.
Flexman says she plans to run the July camps regardless of numbers.
“I want people to get hooked, whether it's three people or 20 people,” she said.
She is also aware that there are people in town who may not be able to afford the programs. She is currently seeking individuals and/or businesses who would be interested in sponsoring spots for camps.
***
For more information about Flexpeditions, or to register for one of the July camps visit www.flexpeditions.com or contact Amy Flexman at 250-814-8663.