Recreation, fun, challenge and access to the outdoors are an essential part of a fulfilling life
Our goal is to offer opportunities for social and recreational interaction for disabled people, and thereby encourage:
Personal growth, development, and self-confidence
Cooperation, decision-making, and leadership skills
Outdoor skills and environmental awareness
Improved quality of life and level of happiness
We are the only program in Santa Cruz County that offers a year-round calendar of recreational events that is completely inclusive! We cater to people of all walks of life, including age, disability, and our veterans.
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Founded in 1994 by Foster Andersen, a quadriplegic survivor of a spinal cord injury, Shared Adventures has provided hundreds of life-enriching recreational and social activities for people with special needs.
What is your primary product or service?
Founded on the belief that recreation, fun, challenge and access to the outdoors are an essential part of a healthy and fulfilling life, Shared Adventures is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with disabilities.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Foster has been running the Shared Adventures program in Santa Cruz for the past 21 years. Moving here after the earthquake in 1990, he wanted to help fix a broken community. After arriving he enrolled in a computer graphics drafting program at Cabrillo College where he finished in 1992. While attending school he had been involved as a community leader with the independent living center, was a board member for the commission of disabilities and after graduating got a job in his field of study in Los Gatos as a computer graphic drafter. After 6 months as computer graphics drafter he realized it was not the career he wanted to settle for and decided to start the Shared Adventures program on the west coast. While attending the physical education class at Cabrillo, Terry Simms and a group of surfers asked if anyone wanted to go surfing; this was his queue to establish a board of directors and get the organization off the ground. In 1994, Shared Adventures became a nonprofit 501 c3.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are the only program in Santa Cruz County that offers a year-round calendar of recreational events that is completely inclusive! We cater to people of all walks of life, including age, disability, and our veterans.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accepts cash, check made to Shared Adventures and credit cards over the phone and at some large events.
Which areas do you service?
Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay Area
What are your hours of operation?
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11am to 5:30pm are our office hours. We have activities throughout the week and weekends.