SOUTHWICK – Todd Crevier feels at home in “wild places” from the Berkshires to the coast of Maine and his dream of sharing that passion with fellow veterans and their families is becoming a reality with the help of volunteers including Kevin and Rebecca Padberg of Westfield.
Crevier, a Sergeant First Class with the U.S. Army, retired in October of 2014 and the next month founded the nonprofit New England Adventures.
Kevin and Rebecca Padberg of Westfield are volunteers with New England Adventures, led by Todd Crevier, on right. The couple discuss an upcoming program for veterans and their families with Crevier.
“New England Adventures began out of a passion to help connect veterans and their families with the wilderness of New England,” said Crevier during a recent brainstorming session at the Padberg home. “With an all-volunteer staff, 100 percent of all money raised goes directly to the veterans and families we serve.”
For Kevin Padberg, a U.S. Air Force veteran, a bear hunt expedition last year gave him the “reset” he was seeking and now as a member of the board of directors, he wants to use his expertise to help other veterans.
“The great news was that I had been selected to go on the 2016 bear hunt,” said Kevin Padberg. “The acceptance, the experience and the folks I met couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Padberg explained that after spending almost 20 years in Utah serving in a variety of Air Force roles, including as a Wingman Advocate, when his family relocated to Westfield he found himself as a stay-at-home dad to Cameron, 9, and Kathryn, 6, while Rebecca Padberg, LCMHC, U.S. Air Force/OIF veteran, started her work at the Springfield Vet Center in West Springfield. Rebecca Padberg also serves as executive secretary of New England Adventures.
Padberg noted that last summer was a difficult time after leaving long days invested in work, friends, co-workers, clients, neighbors and a familiar home.
“Frankly, I was bored, lonely and I could never have afforded to go otherwise,” said Padberg, who is now pursuing a degree in social work at Westfield State University. “It is now my good fortune to be involved and focused on getting others a similar experience and great-spirited fellowship.”
Rebecca Padberg, a readjustment counseling therapist, echoed those sentiments.
“I recognize the importance of vets connecting with other vets in their community and continuing to find the camaraderie most vets discovered while in the military but may have since lost,” she said.
For the couple, enjoying the great outdoors has always come naturally to them, Rebecca growing up in the wilds of New Hampshire and Kevin in California.
“The programs are also especially important for women to participate in,” said Rebecca Padberg, noting that men and women support each other in all endeavors. “The programs planned can be therapeutic and beneficial to one’s psychological, spiritual and physical well-being.”
Along with the couple, Crevier is joined on the board by Bruce Crevier, executive vice president; Mathew Danforth, U.S. Navy veteran, executive treasurer; and board of director members David Binford, U.S. Army combat veteran; Walt Lamon, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Jason Couture, U.S. Air Force veteran.
“We all work with any honorably discharged veterans and their immediate family members,” said Crevier. “We believe that any veteran who has served in any capacity is worthy of honor and respect. So if you have served our great country in any branch of the U.S. military and received an honorable discharge you can apply to attend any event.”
As the calendar season gets underway, Crevier noted that the successful Wild Game Dinner and Silent Auction in February at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield is allowing the organization to host more programs this year.
“By having our key fundraiser early in the year it helps us to determine funding for the remainder of the year,” said Crevier, adding that $15,800 was raised thanks to the sold-out crowd and the vendors who participated in the event.
The offerings at press time include an early spring trout flotilla on April 29; a late spring climb up Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire on May 31; an early summer tuna fishing trip with Nate Olsen and Co. on Cape Cod, slated in July; a bass flotilla in Western Massachusetts on July 19; a Rangeley Lake Retreat in early August in Rangeley, Maine; a black bear hunt with George Ferro of Red Oak Outfitters in Old Town, Maine, on Aug. 23; a fall pheasant hunting trip on Sept. 1; a whitetail hunt in November in Pennsylvania, and a sea duck hunting trip before the end of the year on Cape Cod.
Several of the programs are geared for families including the trout flotilla, the hike up Mount Monadnock, and the bass flotilla. Additionally, a mid-August Family Day at Camp Shepard in Westfield is planned that will include activities for children including archery, a presentation by the New England Reptile Show, and a barbecue.
“We encourage local veterans to get in touch with us about these programs because our military experience binds us,” said Kevin Padberg, adding programs are not about hunting and fishing – it is about relating to others and creating special moments. “It’s the gift of community that we create for each other which will be long remembered.”
For more information on specific trips and how to get involved with the organization, visit www.newenglandadventures.org or send an email to Crevier at [email protected].
On a related note, businesses or individuals wishing to make donations may do so in a variety of ways, from monetary funds to donations of tents, cots, sleeping bags and other camping necessities.
“We would love to partner up with local organizations which will allow us to continue to create a community of veterans who are as passionate about the wilderness as we are,” said Crevier.
