Meet Katie Heckert aka Sprout!
Sundance Kayak School and First Descents Alumni
Since 2013, Sundance Kayak School has been running kayak programs with our partners at First Descents. In 2024 we launched our first ever First Descents Community Adventure on the Rogue River, a kayak school for First Descents alumni and their family and friends.
Set in the historic Riverhouse lodge where our classic First Descents programs take place, this retreat follows much of the same itinerary and accommodations as our legendary FD programs, featuring exceptional meals by a professional chef, 4 days of world class kayak instruction on the Rogue River, and cozy accommodations in the Riverhouse Lodge. By popular request, this offering is an opportunity for the First Descents alumni community to renew their sense of connection and adventure in a full-immersion adventure vacation. Katie Heckert was a participant with her mom. This is her story.
Having started my involvement with First Descents shortly after my multiple sclerosis diagnosis, including an incredible surf trip to the Outer Banks, I was anxious to have another opportunity to connect with young adults going through serious health challenges while also pushing themselves to do things we never thought possible.
“I was thrilled when I found out that Sundance Kayak School was hosting a First Descents alumni program on the Rogue River. I was excited but a bit nervous to take on a week-long adventure with rapids, off the grid, under the stars.”
But as I spent more time on the water, my nerves quickly faded, replaced by a sense of wonder and excitement.
Each rapid was a challenge, a test of my courage and skill. I learned to trust my instincts, to read the river, and to react quickly to changing conditions. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once – even when you end up upside down! But with each run, I grew stronger, and more confident.
Beyond the kayaking, I treasured the opportunity to gaze at the stars, listen to the river, explore my artistic side, and once again join the incredible community of young adults who understood what I was going through. We shared stories, laughed, cried, and supported each other.
Just weeks after my adventure, Hurricane Helene struck, flooding my home.
In the chaos and confusion, I found myself drawing on the lessons I’d learned on the river. I remained calm under pressure, assessed the situation, and took action. I helped my neighbors, coordinated relief efforts, and navigated the overwhelming bureaucracy of disaster recovery.
The river was an incredible reminder that all of us have to embrace uncertainty, adapt to changing circumstances, and that we can find strength in adversity. These skills proved invaluable as I faced the challenges of a natural disaster.
My FD alumni experience with Sundance Kayak School once again gave me more than just a week of adventure.
It gave me a renewed sense of purpose, and a lifelong bond with amazing people. I’ll never forget the feeling of conquering a challenging rapid, the camaraderie of my fellow paddlers, and the transformative power of nature. It empowers me to navigate not just the rapids of a river, but the unpredictable currents of life.
-Sprout
For more information about the lifechanging organization First Descents, visit the First Descents Website.
To learn more about First Descents Community Adventures with Sundance, visit our Community Adventures Page.
