Seniors Outdoors! History

In the Spring of 1998, Charlie Speno, director of the Durango Area Agency on Aging, developed the concept for an outdoor outings club for seniors in the Durango area. Charlie was concerned that many seniors were not getting enough exercise; he felt that an organized club might encourage individuals age 50+ to get outdoors more often and stay in shape. Starting with a newspaper announcement, Charlie facilitated development of the volunteer group and began doing public relations.

At the first meeting on April 14^th, eight interested people met at the 55-Plus Center in Durango to organize the group and plan some hikes. The first hike into the Bisti Wilderness near Farmington, NM was on May 1^st. The group welcomed people from southwestern Colorado for the fun, challenge and companionship of pursuing outdoor activities in the mountains and deserts of the Four Corners Region.

The May 12^th meeting, attended by sixteen people, produced a “real” organization; participants selected the club name and elected Dell Manners as president, Mary McGee as secretary, and Carolyn Smith as Treasurer. Program/Hiking Coordinators were Mary Lou Church, Sally Johnson, and Marsha Scanlon. Annual dues to cover mailing costs were set at $10 for individuals and $12 for couples, and members scheduled monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at the 55-Plus Center.

By the onset of summer, word had spread to many “over 50’s” hikers in the Durango area and enthusiasm for the new organization was growing! Twenty-four people showed up for the June 9^th meeting and 39 came to the meeting in July. The Durango Herald ran a feature article in the Outdoors/Recreation section in August and by September the club had grown to 46 paid members; seventeen outings were planned for the fall. Members drafted John Martin to be hike coordinator, Sally Johnson became the first newsletter editor, and Marv and Pat Dworkin volunteered to be the first club historians. The club was always aware of safety issues, so members purchased walkie-talkies and acquired a first aid kit to be carried on all outings. A Holiday Party was set for December 8^th, and the rest is history!