YOUR WILDERNESS

Our major goal is to improve the quality of life for those living with paralysis;
-To make people living with paralysis smile enjoying something they never imagined they could do, where they never thought they could go.
-For those physically able, to experience independent adventure.
-For those not physically able to control the equipment, to see and experience the natural beauty of the wilderness in first person, and excitement as they come along for the adventure.

The true underlying benefit of our activities is improving quality of life through inclusion, access, independence, opportunities for community engagement, and other life-enhancing benefits. Exploring your wilderness creates a sense of independence and allows for more social interactions, as group riding adventures can be a very social activity.

Our ability to drastically improve the quality of life for both children and adults living with paralysis is monumental. In fact, the opportunity for them to be included and able to participate in the exact same activities so many of us work all week to enjoy is right in front of our faces! Perfectly able-body individuals utilize UTV's for recreation, work/military operations, family outings, and even competitive racing. Yet these incredibly fun recreational vehicles do not require an able-body because they can be driven with hand controls and even joystick operation. These vehicles are especially capable, fun, and safe as they are equipped with 4-point safety harness seat belts, roll cages, doors, and adjustable speed limiters. UTV's are especially useful for those living with paralysis as they are easily capable of hauling additional equipment such as mechanical ventilators.

Side x Sides, also called UTV's, are small 1-4 person four-wheel drive off-road vehicles that are capable enough to go almost anywhere, but most importantly provide an enjoyable outlet for those restricted by their physical status. Once the UTV's are adapted with hand controls, any disability a child, adult, or wounded veteran has will simply vanish. Participants will forget about what they doubted possible of themselves and realize they simply do things differently; with hand and joystick operation. Cognitive and sensory skills will be stimulated; ultimately improving with each use, as navigating through trails and obstacles requires attention, multitasking, reflexes, memory, and reasoning. The true underlying benefit of this project is improving quality of life through inclusion, access, independence, opportunities for community engagement, and other life-enhancing benefits. Exploring your wilderness creates a sense of independence and allows for more social interactions, as group riding adventures can be a very social activity. We highly encourage group participation with other able-bodied enthusiasts as well in their own Side by Sides to join us on the trail and camping. Our goal is not for participants to temporarily forget they have a disability, but to realize they are simply able.

By welcoming enthusiasts with disabilities into our shop, Your Wilderness shall educate the public on subjects useful to individuals and beneficial to the community through mechanical training and project management that is as applicable in the field, as in the corner business. This type of vocational therapy is achieved when participants come down to our shop to learn the mechanics of the vehicles used in our events and race program while simultaneously completing projects and necessary maintenance. There are no services in our geographic area similar to Your Wilderness in the way of giving those living with paralysis the opportunity to independently explore and experience the outdoors without limits for outdoor and off-road enthusiasts alike.

Cory Starr, President of Your Wilderness, Inc. Board of Directors.
Cory Starr is a United States Army veteran, a certified aviation technician, studied engineering and business management at Mesa Community College and Edmonds Community College, has volunteered in motorcycle clubs in Washington and Arizona to assist with duties involved to promote off road racing and family oriented poker runs, as well as an avid overland hobbyist. The Your Wilderness, Inc. bylaws indicate the following duties of the President:

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the Board. Subject to the approval of the Board, the President shall appoint and fill vacancies on committees. The President shall have such additional duties as the Board may provide from time to time.

Cory Starr also performs all maintenance and repairs on equipment used by Your Wilderness, Inc. He works approximately 85 hours per month on behalf of Your Wilderness, Inc.


James Patzer, Vice-President of Your Wilderness, Inc. Board of Directors.
James Patzer is retired United States Navy, a former board president and business owner, has more than 30 years of management experience, an avid sailor, as well as a trained overland expert. The Your Wilderness, Inc. bylaws indicate the following duties of the Vice-President:

The Vice-President serves as the presiding officer in the absence of the President at meetings of the Board and Executive Committee, and assists the President. The Vice-President shall have such additional duties as the Board may provide from time to time.

James Patzer also provides guidance on the various volunteer programs of Your Wilderness, Inc. He works approximately 45 hours per month on behalf of Your Wilderness, Inc.


Steven Huft, Volunteer & Adviser of Your Wilderness, Inc.
Steven Huft is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Wellness. He has volunteered and worked with organizations that promote recreational therapy and injury rehabilitation/prevention.

Currently, Steven works at a Physical Therapy clinic as a technician. This work involves taking patients through exercises prescribed by the Physical Therapist. Within this environment, patients are in need of assistance when moving from one area to another and Steven is well experienced with the procedure. He thoroughly enjoys being part of the rehabilitation process and getting to know the patient on a personal level.

The outdoors have always been a part of his life. Often you will find Steven camping, hiking or competing in trail running and obstacle course races. It is difficult to think of an activity outside he wouldn't do.


In addition, 5 more volunteers also having extensive personal experience with the equipment we utilize in our events makes our organization extremely capable for doing this and handling multiple groups of participants per day.

We were determined exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) effective September 22, 2015.