Ryan Bishop, co-founder of Flannel River, began his talk by reading a letter written by a 16 year old high school student in 1991. The young man was filled with grief after the loss of a friend, and it suggested that the individual was ready to end his life. One day spent outdoors in nature at that difficult time was instrumental in turning that life around, and that is that reason that the title of Ryan’s talk is “1 Life to Live”. The mission of Flannel River is to provide outdoor opportunities to people regardless of their abilities, limitations, or means. Flannel River can fill gaps where people lack skills, confidence, resources, or the knowledge of where and how to access the rivers that we are lucky to have in our area (though Flannel River has not limited its trips to this immediate area).
In 2023, their group took a wheelchair-bound person, the child of a single parent, veterans dealing with PTSD, other veterans, and a student who had been expelled from school. They also provided a father/daughter trip that provided an introduction to fishing. In 2024 have planned trips with a wheelchair user, a father/son, two teenage brothers, more with PTSD veterans, a family trauma victim, an autistic person, a team-building trip, and college sports team. Flannel River has 3 boats: a Wheelchair-compatible boat, a 2-person raft, and a float boat, They also use canoes for some trips.
The “how” is that Flannel River currently does everything by word of mouth. Their longer-term plan is to have an application form available. The organization has received grants to help with the boat purchase, and they also have funds from the Feyereisen Foundation (MLB player J.P. Feyereisen is a former player of Ryan’s). They have plans to obtain local sponsorships.
The “why” of what Flannel River does is that the mental health effects of getting outdoors and being active are well known. Ryan said that he knows how much being outdoors has helped with his own dealing with grief and loss. Statistics on the current state of youth anxiety make it important to do what Flannel River can do.
Not all of Flannel River’s trips are local. They have done fishing trips to western states and on numerous rivers in WI. Ryan said that they have had other schools reach out to see if Flannel River can help. They are trying to keep the scale local, not get beyond their capacity to serve.
About the Speaker: A native of Gilman, WI, Ryan grew up living the outdoorsman's dream in a small farming and logging community. From fishing and hunting, to hiking and camping, his family instilled a love and respect for the outdoors that runs deep in his blood.
A love for teaching and the outdoors has led Ryan to a life of helping others learn and experience various outdoor passions. Ryan has worked the past 25 years at River Falls High School in Western Wisconsin where he teaches Outdoor Education classes and is the Head Baseball Coach. During that time he has guided thousands of teenagers on various outdoor excursions, many involving canoeing, camping, and fishing trips down various rivers across the Midwest. In recent years Ryan has expanded beyond the school walls to a more inclusive venture that involves guiding and providing outdoor opportunities for a wider range of ages and abilities.
Ryan and his wife Renee have three daughters; Kenna, Brooklyn and Bailee. The co-founder of Flannel River is Matthew Chaplinski, a long-time friend of Ryan's with similar family situations; both are married and have daughters.
"There are people that want outdoor experiences. And then there are those who need outdoor experiences. Helping those who truly need the outdoors has turned my life-changing why into a two-way street."
