CRIS Adaptive Adventures

What CRIS Adaptive Adventures does

CRIS Adaptive Adventures operates as a community-based adaptive recreation organization headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Founded in 2001 as a Canadian non-profit under the name Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS), the organization delivers outdoor recreation programming tailored to individuals with disabilities and adaptive needs. It runs two principal program lines: an Adaptive Outdoor Recreation program offering local, day-based outings, and an Adaptive Wilderness Expeditions program delivering multi-day backcountry trips across British Columbia. The end-user population consists of people with disabilities and their support networks, with service delivery mediated through healthcare and disability-service partners, community referral channels, and direct outreach.

Operationally, the organization relies on a small paid staff of five to seven personnel, supplemented by volunteers, and on a specialized inventory of adaptive equipment that includes water skis, sit-skis, kayaks, and handcycles. Programming is concentrated geographically in the Okanagan Valley for day-based outings, with wilderness expeditions extending across multiple backcountry venues throughout British Columbia. The model is fundamentally labor- and equipment-intensive rather than technology-mediated.

The revenue model is a diversified non-profit funding stack combining individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships (including legacy relationships with Scotiabank and Sun Life Financial), and modest participant program fees of approximately $25 per outing. No subscription, licensing, or commercial revenue lines are evident; the operation is funded by philanthropic inflows rather than market-rate service contracts. Distribution of programming is direct-to-participant and through partner referral, with no evidence of reseller or franchise channels.

Name

CRIS Adaptive Adventures

Legal name

Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS)

Website

https://adaptiveadventures.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CRIS Adaptive Adventures is a Kelowna, BC-based non-profit founded in 2001 that delivers adaptive outdoor recreation day-outings and multi-day wilderness expeditions for people with disabilities across British Columbia, funded through donations, grants, and modest participant fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure & Outdoor Local Operators (Trekking/Safari/Diving) (THAKAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ), Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

Keywords

• Adaptive outdoor recreation
• Adaptive wilderness expeditions
• Accessible adventure programs
• Disability outdoor activities
• Adaptive equipment fleet

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelowna

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Small program fee of $25 per outing for Adaptive Outdoor Recreation programs. Membership-based model where participants become members before joining activities.
2. Donations & Charitable Contributions: Primary funding through Canada Helps platform. Individual donations at various levels ($50-$75,000+) that fund equipment, scholarships, volunteer training, and expedition support.
3. Expedition Fees & Scholarships: Expedition participation with subsidized and scholarship spots available. Pay-your-own-way options alongside full scholarship opportunities.
4. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors fund specific programs, gear, or events. Partners include fire departments, realtors, outdoor brands, and community businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Adaptive Adventures operates adaptive outdoor recreation day programs and multi-day wilderness expeditions for people with physical, cognitive, intellectual, and sensory disabilities. Services are delivered through trained staff and volunteers using a specialized fleet of adaptive equipment including trail-riders, adaptive cycles, modified watercraft, and sit-skis. Programs span cycling, hiking, paddling, snow activities, heli-hiking, rafting, and hunting/fishing across British Columbia.

Product overview

CRIS Adaptive Adventures operates as a two-program organization offering adaptive outdoor recreation services. The core offerings consist of Adaptive Outdoor Recreation (local day-based activities including cycling, hiking, paddling, and snow outings) and Adaptive Wilderness Expeditions (multi-day immersive wilderness trips). The organization maintains a fleet of adaptive equipment including trail-riders, adaptive cycles, watercraft, and winter gear to support participants. Additional offerings include adaptive events and the Limitless documentary produced in partnership with Angry Whale Media.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adaptive Outdoor Recreation: Local, day-based outdoor recreation programs including cycling, hiking, paddling, and snow activities designed for improving physical and mental health and connection for people with and without disabilities.
• Adaptive Wilderness Expeditions

Products and services

• Adaptive Outdoor Recreation

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2001, thousands of individuals with disabilities have participated in adaptive outdoor experiences
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• West Kelowna Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirefighters volunteer on Fire in the Mountains expeditions, providing hands-on support during hiking, paddling, and camping activities. Partnership combines wilderness expertise with community service.
• Kelowna Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembers join Clearwater Whitewater Expedition to assist on the river, ensuring participant safety and exceptional experience. Combined with COR sponsorship.
• Angry Whale MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToronto and Kelowna-based boutique production company producing the 'Limitless' documentary about adaptive athlete Clayton March competing in Raid the Rockies expedition race.
• Riverside AdventurescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert whitewater rafting guide company partnering for Clearwater and Nass River expeditions. Provides professional rafting guides and expedition logistics.
• BC ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial parks partner for Fire in the Mountains expeditions at Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park, providing access and support for adaptive wilderness experiences.
• City of KelownacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner collaborating on community events and supporting adaptive outdoor recreation in the Okanagan region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Move United: National umbrella organization in the U.S. for adaptive sports, providing network, funding, and certification support to member programs. Not a direct competitor but a broader-incumbent reference point for adaptive recreation funding and policy.
• Disabled Sports USA: National non-profit network providing adaptive outdoor recreation and sports programming across member chapters. Operates in the same adaptive-outdoor recreation space as CRIS through a federated model.

Direct peers

• Adaptive Sports Center: Crested Butte, Colorado-based non-profit offering year-round adaptive outdoor recreation including cycling, skiing, rafting, and rock climbing. Closely mirrors CRIS's dual day-program/expedition structure with a comparable equipment fleet.
• Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based non-profit providing adaptive outdoor recreation and wilderness experiences (skiing, rafting, hiking) for participants with disabilities. Comparable to CRIS in its mix of recreation and immersive wilderness expeditions.
• Outdoors for All: Seattle-based non-profit providing year-round adaptive and inclusive outdoor recreation (cycling, skiing, hiking, paddling). Directly comparable to CRIS's day-program Adaptive Outdoor Recreation arm in mission, equipment model, and volunteer-driven delivery.
• National Ability Center: Park City, Utah-based non-profit delivering year-round adaptive recreation and outdoor adventure programming (skiing, rafting, climbing, cycling) for people with disabilities and their families. Closest U.S. analog to CRIS Adaptive Adventures given its multi-sport adaptive recreation + wilderness expedition model.

Regional players

• Rocky Mountain Adaptive: Canmore, Alberta-based non-profit providing adaptive outdoor recreation (hiking, cycling, paddling, skiing) in the Canadian Rockies. Regional peer with comparable program mix and adaptive equipment focus.
• Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS): National Canadian organization supporting adaptive snowsports programs across member clubs. Adjacent to CRIS on the winter/adadaptive equipment axis (sit-skis, pulks) and addresses an overlapping participant population, though sport-focused rather than general recreation.
• Whistler Adaptive Sport Program: Whistler, BC-based adaptive sport program offering alpine skiing, mountain biking, and trail programs. Same Canadian geographic footprint as CRIS and overlapping adaptive equipment and volunteer model, though snow-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/adaptiveadventures_
• Facebookfacebook.com/61553995571643
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cris-adaptive-adventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CRIS Adaptive Adventures