Organized outdoor adventures foster physical health, community connection
In a valley known for its wilderness, the Gunnison Senior Center connects older residents to outdoor adventure and one another.
What started as a few community-led programs has blossomed into a network of outdoor adventures, educational offerings, and vibrant social opportunities that support seniors’ physical, mental and emotional health.
Since she began in 2018, Gunnison Senior Center Coordinator Elizabeth Gillis has seen the Center evolve into a full-time community anchor, a change driven by both grassroots advocacy and strategic investment.
“We didn’t do outdoor programs until we had MetRec funding,” Gillis said. “Once we had the grants, we could pay for hike leaders, guides, ski instructors and rental equipment. That changed everything.”
The Senior Center first applied for and received MetRec Recreation Grant funds in 2021, This year, they received $11,627.
Outdoor adventures: Health, confidence and safety
MetRec’s support allowed the Center to introduce a suite of outdoor programs—hiking in summer, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in winter—now core to its offerings. These programs aren’t just about physical activity; they provide a lifeline for seniors who are looking to re-engage with active lifestyles in a safe, supportive environment.
“Many of our participants used to ski or hike when they were younger but gave it up due to work, family, or health concerns,” Gillis said. “These programs make it possible for them to start again, safely, affordably, and with expert guidance.”
The grant covers instructor pay and equipment rentals for those who don’t have their own gear. To ensure continued safety and quality, the Senior Center also uses funding to provide first aid and wilderness training for all outdoor leaders. Many activity leaders are retired park rangers and experienced backcountry guides, bringing decades of expertise to every excursion.
“Safety is paramount,” Gillis said.
“It’s easy when you get older to stop doing things,” participant Chris Sorensen said, who credits the organized activities with motivation. “I think participating in programs like this, it makes you challenge yourself more physically than you would just on your own.”
Building a social safety net
Beyond the physical benefits, the Senior Center’s programs create a vital space for social connection. Many older adults in Gunnison have lost long-time social circles due to relocation, retirement, or the death of a partner. Some seniors relocate to Gunnison for retirement, or to be closer to adult children and grandchildren, but find themselves socially isolated beyond immediate family.
“These programs create community,” Gillis said. “I see people who didn’t know each other start hanging out, going to coffee, forming deep friendships. That’s just as important as the activity itself.”
Social design is intentional. Staff and guides are trained to understand the unique dynamics of older adult learners, especially around communication and group inclusion. Activities are tailored to all ability levels, and new participants are required to start with entry-level hikes to ensure safety and acclimatization.
“it’s good to have friends, people to talk to,” participant Teri Pearce said. “You can be having a down day, and then you go to one of these group activities and it lifts your spirits.”
Sorensen said the group activities help foster connection and makes the initial stages of getting to know new people a bit easier.
“It gives me a sense of connection in the valley,” Sorensen said. “If you go to the grocery store and you see someone you met on a hike, you have a shared experience and a stronger connection. These activities help you build a closer bond with people faster.”
Expanding access, equity
One major barrier for many seniors is cost—especially when it comes to skiing and snowshoeing. MetRec grants address this head on by covering ski rentals and lessons for participants with outdated or no equipment.
“We had 80-year-olds skiing for the first time last year,” Gillis said. “They wouldn’t have tried without the gear and confidence that our programs provide.”
For these outdoor activities, Gillis carefully matches guides to participants’ abilities, ensuring no one feels left behind.
“No one feels like they can’t keep up,” Gillis emphasized. “The excursions are part lesson, part adventure and fully community.”
Since the outdoor programs launched in 2021, participation has skyrocketed. While the Senior Center once struggled to fill all slots on a hike now has waitlists for nearly every outing. The Senior Center has responded by adding more hikes, half of which are new trails, and implementing structured policies like cancellation rules and required introductory hikes.
A model of community
The Senior Center’s community-first model is visible in the relationships it fosters. Guides know flora, fauna, and local history. Participants learn not only about health and movement but about the valley they call home.
“People care,” Gillis said. “We’re not just going on a hike. We’re building something bigger—a resilient, joyful, connected senior community.”
With continued support from MetRec, the Gunnison Senior Center shows what’s possible when strategic funding meets passionate leadership. Aging doesn’t mean slowing down, it means stepping into a new chapter of connection, vitality, and purpose.