Director and Founder Pat Pallardy came to La Crosse in the early 1970′s as a college student and earned a degree in Recreation. She enjoyed the area so much she decided to stay. For the past 35 years she has been actively exploring the area so she knows the Coulee Region. Her passions are kayaking, biking, and cross-country skiing and she loves to share her enthusiasm with others. She recognized a need and had a vision of connecting women in the area to be able to safely experience the beauty that surrounds us. Set Free is the way she has chosen to make it happen.
Come join the fun! Contact Pat today for information on Set Free and how to join us.
Check out what KJ Lang had to say in the La Crosse Tribune.
A note from Pat:
“I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found.” This line is from an old Christian campfire song, It Only Takes a Spark, and it rings true for me in every area of life. I have watched the seasons change from a kayak and have wanted to share it with others. The problem I faced, however, was trying to find others who could kayak when I could. So you see, Set Free isn’t just a business for me, it’s a lifestyle.
It’s a lifestyle of women taking time for themselves. In over 30 years of marriage and raising five girls, I’ve learned that I am at my best when I take time for myself and thus am better able to serve my family. Since 2002, I have been taking
women to a Christian camp in northern Wisconsin called Fort Wilderness. Husbands and teen-aged children of these women have thanked me because their wife/mom had such a great time. It’s no secret that when women take time for themselves, it affects everyone around them in a positive way.
It’s a lifestyle about sharing what I know with others, whether it be with preschoolers in my home, leading women’s Bible studies, or introducing the back waters to others from a kayak. I find great joy and contentment in passing on what I have learned. They, in turn, pass it onto others. It begins with a “spark” and grows into a fire. Our Fort weekend grew from 5 to nearly 50 women by word of mouth. I believe Set Free will grow in this sweet way of one woman telling another and inviting others to join us.
It’s a lifestyle about going to new places, doing new things and revisiting the favorites. We live in an awesome area with so many things to do. I love being outside kayaking, skiing and biking. I would ask others to go along, but they either weren’t available or didn’t have the interest. Set Free will change that! It may take three hundred women, but that’s where we’re headed – seven days a week with a variety of possibilities each day.
It’s a lifestyle of curiosity and learning. We can all learn so much from each other. Set Free women want to learn from others, so if you have something to show us, please let us know. On my list to learn is sailing, ice sailing, curling and bowling. What’s on your list?
It’s a lifestyle of soft recreation. It’s as simple as enjoying a cup of tea and good conversation with women. A great way to spend some free time is to go to a Sunday matinee, play a board game, or share a meal with others. The social aspect of Set Free is a blessing and in due time it will be an overflow of the relationships we develop with one another.
It’s a lifestyle of enjoying the outdoors with my sportsman husband. He is the man behind this program. He helps me determine what waters are safe when considering wind and water levels. He shows me new places to go. He shares his “big boy truck” so I can bring extra kayaks with me. Without Gene’s support, I would not be Set Free to do what I do.
My degree is in Therapeutic Recreation; not business, so please be patient with me. Others have stepped into help and without them, the program would not exist. My strengths are practical, common-sense thinking, people skills, planning
programs and having fun. My weaknesses are spelling, attention to detail, computer skills, etc. I thank you in advance for your patience with me.
Set Free became a business because it had to be, but in reality . . . it’s a lifestyle!
Come join us and be Set Free! Let us enjoy the gift of time that we have today!
Pat
Set Free 2 Enjoy Director