Environmental Traveling Companions - ETC

Amy J. _{on Yelp}

Oct 19th, 2021

My work often partners with ETC for some of our recreational activities. I was a volunteer/worker for our annual kayaking event. We normally go to Tomales Bay. This time, we went to Angel Island.The staff & volunteers were really engaging, enthusiastic and thoughtful with our clients. They accommodated our large group and everyone loved kayaking & camping with their crew.Some of us took the ferry over but even experiencing the great outdoors for a few days left all of us, myself included with lasting memories we won't forget.If you have a chance to go on one of their trips or want to volunteer with them, do it, you will love it!

Jack H. _{on Yelp}

Jun 22nd, 2019

These guys are rad!Just had a kayak trip with them in Sausalito with a bunch of kids with special needs.They were organized, helpful , aware.. but also super intuitive and kind ( each and every one) with my kids,And the whole group Everyone had fun, got out on the water, saw houseboats and harbor seals, ....very cool I can't recommend enough!Thanks y'all

Roberta S. _{on Yelp}

Oct 19th, 2017

Here's my wordy heart-felt review:As so many people have said, ETC (Environmental Travel​ing​ Companions) is a game-changer for those who have some physical limitations and want to explore ​the outdoors and develop outdoor skills.  I don't usually introduce myself​ ​ ​in​ this way but I have M.S. - I've had it for 30+ years and have been incredibly fortunate.  MS is unpredictable: I am now ambulatory and need different degrees of support at different times. ETC staff are so well oriented​ and ​sensitized that they sense when assistance would be valuable and they are right there (checking in first).  I have never, ever,​ ​experienced an assumption of inability and ​have ​always felt recognition of my desire for independence WHILE recognizing my hesitations​ and ​fears​.​I ​can't emphasize enough the amazing​ community​ feeling on ETC trips​ -​ that each of us is ​valuable ​ and important part of the team.  I've experienced other courses​ and ​trips where the annoyance of the other participants at being slowed down or having to adapt, has ultimately caused me to not continue to learn a skill I wanted. I learn better and faster with support​, and ETC provides just the right amount.​   ​I am tremendously grateful for the existence of ETC​ - and did I mention ​that we also ​ ​laugh a lot and eat incredibly delicious food​?​

Nancy F. _{on Yelp}

Oct 7th, 2017

I went on a kayaking And a white water trip with Environmental Traveling Companions. A simple sentence for many people, but not for me because I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and have significant difficulty sitting up straight and walking.  For both my trips, ETC enabled me to perform a miracle and every single staff member from the director to the person who handled my reservation, all the way through to each staff member and volunteers who were there the day of my trips were the people who made it happen. And all of these people treated me with dignity and respect, while we had fun the whole day.  I can't recommend ETC more highly. Perform your own miracle with them and go on one of their affordable and wonderful trips the first chance you get!

Ann L. _{on Yelp}

Sep 26th, 2017

My friend and I, who both have M.S. went on a kayaking trip in Sausalito last June with ETC.  From the enrollment process to the send off the experience was great.  The price was right, the directions and advice were spot on, and the ETC leaders were helpful, infinitely patient, skilled, knowledgeable, and kind.We had every level of M.S. disability present for this trip, and although it took a considerable amount of time, effort and skill to get this large group of people into the kayaks and comfortable the staff got it done without showing any frustration or sacrifice to detail.  Once on the water we were all able to experience the freedom of movement that is denied many with this disease.  We Kayaked around Sausalito for a couple of hours with the wind in our faces, the sun on our backs, and wildlife all around us.  It was wonderful!If it weren't for an organization like ETC many of those on this trip (and others like it) would never be able to enjoy an outing like this again in their lives. Instead of being relegated to the sidelines having to live through the experiences of others, ETC enables us to share our own exciting adventures.  An invaluable service to be sure!Thanks ETC!