Two guys who just keep showing up
Bill Swanson (left) and Jerry Schulte.
This month, I want to brag about two of our board members: Jerry Schulte, who's served since 2018, and Bill Swanson, on board since 2016. I'll share a few stories here, and let you hear a bit from them about what keeps them saying yes, no matter what curveball we throw their way.
Bill traces it back to childhood:
"I grew up as a free-range kid,” he said. “Whenever I told my mom I was bored, she'd say, 'Go outside and find something to do!' So I'd grab my dog and head off to explore the rivers, creeks and woods wherever we happened to live."
That's exactly what Adventure Crew opens up for hundreds of city teens who might not get the chance otherwise.
Jerry sees the same thing happen, kayak stroke by kayak stroke. "Nature is the great equalizer,” he said. “Adventure Crew's programs teach students they're responsible for getting themselves down the river in their kayak, down the slopes on their skis, or up and down the climbing wall, and they end the day with the confidence to open up to others facing the same challenge. That's Adventure Crew."
Both are deeply woven into Ohio River Paddlefest, our largest annual community event, which turns 25 this August.
Quick reminder: this year we're attempting a Guinness World Records title for Largest Paddle Craft Party! Register here and be part of it!
That same energy carries over to the Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim each year. Between the two events, they help raise the funds that keep every Adventure Crew program free for our teens.
Jerry donates his photography skills to document our programs all year, teaches our program staff how to haul our equipment trailer, and lends his stage presence and radio voice to Paddlefest promotion on all the morning shows each year. Bill has helped deepen our partnership with The Bridge Adaptive Sports, expanding inclusive participation in Paddlefest, and has worked year over year to ensure another strong Adventure Crew partnership with the Little Miami Conservancy, where he serves on the board.
And then there's the Crew van saga. Keeping our fleet safe and running means someone has to spend hours combing listings for the right vehicle, and then more hours actually driving to fetch it. Jerry's the one who tracked down a nearly new 15-passenger van up in Wooster, Ohio. He and Bill made the trip together to bring it home, including a not-so-fun surprise: a 5-hour delay on the highway due to an accident ahead of them. They did it again when our 28-year-old cargo van finally gave out, finding a barely driven Ford Transit at a price we had to jump on right away — time our staff simply didn't have to spend researching and driving to retrieve it.
Bill and Mark Smith during a recent driving lesson.
Most recently, they've turned their attention to Mark Smith, a former Crew teen from Hughes High School who came back to volunteer after his six years as a student with us. Mark is now an essential member of our outdoor specialist team, helping run the very programs that helped shape his love of the outdoors. Cars and driving lessons aren't easily accessible for everyone, so Bill and Jerry stepped in, tag-teaming Mark's driving lessons and helping him build toward a lead outdoor specialist role, where he’ll continue to invest in the next generation of young people that he’ll go on to mentor.
Curveballs, van trips, driving lessons — Bill and Jerry just keep saying yes. We're endlessly grateful for them, and for everyone on our board who shows up in their own way to make Adventure Crew what it is. Thank you, Bill and Jerry!
– Libby Hunter