Ryan Petersburg dedicates his efforts to The Outdoor Adventure Foundation

The Outdoor Adventure Foundation is a non-profit foundation that fulfills hunting and fishing adventures for children and young adults with cancer, or other life-threatening illnesses, and combat disabled veterans who have lost a limb or are wheelchair-bound due to an active service injury.

Recently, Ryan Petersburg, of Warroad, who has many ties to the Grygla area, became a Director of the foundation, while his friend, Scott Baumgartner, was named Co-Director.

After that fishing trip on Lake of the Woods, the two quickly found out that starting their own handicapped-accessible fishing service costs too much given the fees, the lawyers and everything else related to beginning a non-profit. A family friend referred Ryan to the founder and president of The Outdoor Adventure Foundation, Brian Solum. Solum grew up in the Argyle area and started the nation-wide foundation in Fargo in 2009. After talking about getting a new chapter started in northwest Minnesota, Solum thought Ryan would be the perfect fit as director for this corner of the state. The foundation previously had only one chapter in Minnesota, down by the Minneapolis area. Solum and Petersburg started talking in January of 2018; by February the plan was in place with Ryan being named the Director of the NW MN Chapter of The Outdoor Adventure Foundation.

As mentioned, this foundation sends kids and young adults (under the age of 40) on outdoor adventures at no cost to them at all. Similar to how the Make A Wish Foundation works, this foundation fulfills dream hunts for individuals who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses or are disabled. Outdoor adventures include big game hunts (deer, elk, moose, bear), small game hunts (duck, goose, pheasant, quail) and fishing trips that may include fresh or salt water!

“Really the sky’s the limit when it comes to the outdoor adventure,” offered Ryan. “We actually just sent a group of about 30-some kids down to the cities for a Minnesota Twin’s game!” Because the NW MN Chapter is so new, no recipients have yet been awarded from this area. Ryan’s focus is on the entire northwest Minnesota area and he encourages people to give him a call if they have a recipient in mind. “We are focusing on this corner of the state, but if someone is a Minnesota native, we’re definitely open to that and are willing to discuss it,” he added.

As Director, Ryan’s duties the last few months have included setting up the new website, finding volunteers to help on future excursions, seeking out recipients to award, in addition to sponsors to help on the funding end of things. (10% of all funds go into the general account for fees/insurance/etc.)

Funds for The Outdoor Adventure Foundation come from sponsors and private donations; Ryan is also applying for multiple grants, as well. He and Scott have been busy in this corner of the state securing funding from sponsors that include Bon Bon’s Guide Service, Angle Outpost Resort, Trails ‘N’ More Landscaping, Nelson Construction, Hovda & Associates, Inc., DLS Farms, Inc., Argyle, Fleet Supply, Coast True Value, Mattson Pharmacy, Vigen Construction and Streiff Sporting Goods, to name a few.

You can help fulfill a dream by making a tax-deductible donation today. Donations of money, resources, services and even Frequent Flyer miles are gladly accepted. For more on contributions, visit the website www.nwmnoaf.org. You can donate to a disabled veteran’s outdoor adventure, a youth outing, goods & services or nominate a youth that could benefit from this foundation. With your help, this group can continue making many more dreams come true for others in this area.

Besides the newest Warroad-based chapter, there are also chapters in North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Nevada and Utah, Ryan explained. Each chapter works together and shares equipment or items, even funding, although each chapter is in charge of their own fundraisers, banquets and volunteers.

Ryan is an avid outdoorsman. He grew up in northwest Minnesota and laughed, saying, “There wasn’t much else to do up here!” In 2012, Ryan was in an accident that changed his life. He broke his neck at the C6 level, which left him wheelchair bound as a quadriplegic. But because of his love for the outdoors and his strong-will, he didn’t want that to affect his favorite hobbies. He admits, “After my accident, I realized how hard it is for people with disabilities to get out and enjoy the outdoors and feel comfortable, safe and in good hands. Just because I’m in a wheelchair doesn’t mean these things have to be out of reach.” Ryan explained how a lot of resorts around the Lake of the Woods area aren’t set up to handle people in wheelchairs. That’s why he is striving to make a difference.

He is looking into getting adaptive equipment for outdoor activities. That equipment would ultimately include a portable lift that would assist in boat transfers, a floating dock that is wheelchair accessible and possibly a cabin set up that’s all accessible, including a roll-in shower. “Right now, we just use man power. People don’t realize how hard and unsafe that is,” Ryan acknowledged.

A volunteer for the foundation, Jason Goulet, owns the Angle Outpost Resort. That’s where Co-Director Scott Baumgartner keeps his boat. Ryan said the private resort would be the perfect place to get their dock set up for the foundation. In addition to the accessible fishing, there are many other pieces of equipment that would be of great use. “Some of these wounded warriors only have one arm, so we had to get a special fishing rod holder. Or there’s gun rests that people with no movement can use to shoot – they’ve also got a gun mechanism where you just blow into it and it pulls the trigger – we’re hoping to get more stuff like that,” Ryan says.

Ryan and Scott are planning a future banquet for the foundation, but still working on establishing their major sponsors first. Ryan admits this has been taking up a lot of his time, but quickly added, “I love it and do it with a smile. I’ve always been into helping others.”

In addition to all of his work with the foundation, Ryan is also in charge of the Grygla Fall Fest Demolition Derby and has been a member of the Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club for the last 17 years. He will soon be back out on the road driving again, too. He is looking at purchasing a Ford Explorer, but the entire process has taken about two years. He’s had to go down to the cities to do initial assessments, as that is the only place in the state where they have a vehicle you can drive while being in a wheelchair. But after doing his ‘behind the wheel’ lessons, Ryan is just about set. He’ll have to buy the vehicle of his choice, but vocational rehab out of Roseau is helping with the conversion of it.

It’s no wonder he is committed to giving back, as Ryan has first-hand experience with receiving, as well.

His mission as a new director for The Outdoor Adventure Foundation is to pass it on – to break down the boundaries for others or help fulfill outdoor dreams for others who share the same passion as him.

You can learn more about this life-changing foundation by visiting www.nwmnoaf.org, or stay up-to-date by “liking” NWMNOAF on Facebook. Ryan Petersburg can be reached at 320-815-1996 or by email at ryanp@nwmnoaf.org