{"id":21413,"date":"2021-08-02T17:58:20","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T17:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adra.org\/?p=21413"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:47:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:47:11","slug":"news-release-maryland-father-and-son-complete-200-mile-kayak-journey-along-chesapeake-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/news-release-maryland-father-and-son-complete-200-mile-kayak-journey-along-chesapeake-bay","title":{"rendered":"Communiqu\u00e9 de presse : Un p\u00e8re et son fils du Maryland parcourent 200 miles en kayak le long de la baie de Chesapeake"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kayakars used vacation time to bond and support ADRA\u2019s Pandemic Hunger Relief Campaign<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SILVER SPRING, MD (August 2, 2021) \u2013 After facing rough tides, mosquitoes, and battling extreme heat, Hearly Mayr, 49, and his 13-year-old son, Andreas, finally reached the last stop of their 200-mile (320 km) kayaking journey down the Chesapeake Bay on Friday, July 30. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is a world heritage site that spans over 64,000 miles (166,000 km).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Andreas and Hearly Mayr kayak to their last stop of their Bay 200 Challenge.
Photo credit: Pedro Zavarce<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The duo started their adventure on Friday, July 16 at Elk River in Elkton, MD where family, friends, representatives from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the Atholton Adventist Academy where Andreas is an 8th<\/sup> grader, the New Hope Adventist Church where both father and son attend services, the North American Division, and the local community met with them to share well wishes, pray, and cheer them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they kayaked down the Bay, the Mayrs made a few stops to rest. At one point, their trip was delayed due to a rainstorm, and they decided to take a day to weather the conditions. The pair aimed to make the trip in 12 days but completed the journey in 15 days. Hearly Mayr also updated his followers on Instagram and Facebook on almost a daily basis, encouraging people to donate to ADRA\u2019s cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making a Difference by Doing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearly Mayr shared that he and his son did this feat to let the community know that even though the pandemic is easing in the U.S., people around the world are still facing hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Father and son take a moment to rest before completing the last leg of their 200-mile kayak journey. Photo credit: Pedro Zavarce<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have so much to be thankful for. We have jobs, healthcare, access to school, a home, food, and so many other things. Sadly, many people here in the U.S. and around the world can\u2019t say the same. As we counted our blessings, we knew that we had to do something to help others. That\u2019s why we decided to use our summer vacation to launch the Bay 200 Challenge to let our community know that even though the pandemic is easing in the U.S., people here at home and in other countries are still facing very serious COVID-19 related challenges each day, especially hunger,” Mayr says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the Mayrs, Bay 200 Challenge supporters and supporters for ADRA\u2019s pandemic hunger relief campaign, ADRA surpassed its fundraising goal with a total of US$9.9 million on July 31. Proceeds will help families worldwide get access to food and other essentials who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. More information about ADRA\u2019s COVID-19 relief efforts at: https:\/\/adra.org\/update-covid-19-hunger<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe congratulate Hearly and Andreas on this huge achievement. There are so many ways they could have spent their summer, but they chose to raise awareness and funds for communities that on a daily basis travel huge distances to access water, education and healthcare. ADRA thanks Hearly and Andreas for their support but most importantly their commitment to alleviating poverty,\u201d says Matthew Siliga, ADRA\u2019s vice president of marketing and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat Andreas, a pathfinder from the New Hope Nighthawk Pathfinder Club, has done in the last few weeks has been remarkable. He looks like a typical 13-year-old, but his resilience and growing desire to make a difference is an example to many,\u201d says Armando Miranda Jr., North American Division associate director for youth and young adult ministries. \u201cPathfinders are proud of Andreas for the difference and the impact that he and his father, Hearly, were able to make through this challenge. We hope that many more pathfinders realize that they too can be influencers and agents of change, and that they don\u2019t have to kayak or do something big, but they can do similar things in their communities to bring awareness to important issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddling to the End<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters of the father and son, drove hours to the eastern shore in Virginia to celebrate the family\u2019s achievement in person at their last stop. In attendance were the principal, students and staff from the Atholton Adventist Academy, the Mayr\u2019s pastor and members from the New Hope Adventist Church, along with ADRA staff members and a representative from the Cornerstone Seventh-day Adventist Church, locally based in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Supporters drove miles to welcome the kayakers back on the eastern shore of Virginia.
Photo credit: Pedro Zavarce<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAndreas\u2019 classmates, school, and teachers are proud of him for paddling this impressive mileage of the Chesapeake Bay under some grueling conditions,\u201d says Miya Kim, principal of the Atholton Adventist Academy. \u201cWhat a wonderful way to help educate others around the world due to the devastating effect of COVID-19. Young people will be inspired by Andreas\u2019 grit, determination and will use his experience as a way to make a huge difference in the lives of others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe prayed for them through the journey and are happy they\u2019ve returned unharmed. We couldn\u2019t be prouder. With incredible endurance and resolve, Hearly and Andreas demonstrated what it means to be a New Hope member\u2014living the kingdom of God wherever you are\u2014empathizing, guarding, and loving their neighbors,\u201d says Marilyn Scott, pastor of the New Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pair were each awarded by ADRA with a blue crystal star trophy as a public expression of appreciation for their creative way of bringing awareness to the pandemic hunger relief and accomplishing the feat despite obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
The kayak duo received numerous awards and were recognized for their outstanding achievement. Photo credit: Pedro Zavarce.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WGTS 91.9 also recognized the father and son with a \u201cHometown Heroes\u201d award during an on-air appearance for \u201cgoing above and beyond to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, 13-year-old Andreas was honored with a kayak patch by Pastor Scott on behalf of the church\u2019s pathfinder club for fulfilling and satisfying recreational requirements for kayaking. Pathfinder honors, which total 693, are awarded to young people, ages 10 to 15, who demonstrate various knowledge and skills that aims to build a young person\u2019s personal growth, spiritual discovery, service to others, health and fitness, outdoor living, and study of nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andreas was also awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Atholton Adventist Academy, along with an undisclosed monetary gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True Overcomers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Mayrs pulled up to the shore met by the small group of supporters, it was Andreas Mayr who finished first, despite the look of tiredness on his face. Father and son embraced each other before sharing a few words of thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Mayrs reach their final stop and embrace each other on a job well done. <\/em>
Photo credit: Pedro Zavarce. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe learned so much about the Bay, met wonderful and kind people, and felt so motivated every day from our social media followers to just keep going and to finish what we started,\u201d says Hearly Mayr, Bay 200 Challenge kayaker. \u201cI encourage more families to find creative ways to spend time with their children and give back to their community. It is an investment worth making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayr adds that though their challenge has been completed, the pandemic remains an ongoing struggle and that the world\u2019s most vulnerable are being hit the hardest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy Dad would do anything to keep me safe and healthy,\u201d says Andreas, \u201cIt is heartbreaking to think of fathers around the world who, through no fault of their own, can\u2019t do the same.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 155 million people in 55 countries were already acutely food insecure in 2020 and in need of urgent assistance, and those numbers could continue to climb, disproportionately affecting women and girls and low- and middle-income communities. Additionally, pandemic-related disruptions, conflict and climate change, hunger levels in dozens of food-insecure countries are projected to increase to a five-year high, according to the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mayrs plan to take a few days to relax and spend time with the rest of their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not sure what the next challenge will be, but we are adventurous, so anything is possible. We\u2019re just happy to do this together for a cause,\u201d Mayr says.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For journalists who wish to secure interviews, email: press@adra.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To schedule speaking engagements with Hearly and Andreas, email: churches@adra.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the #BAY200CHALLENGE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The #BAY200CHALLENGE was conceived in 2020 as a father-son kayaking project by Maryland residents Hearly Mayr and Andreas Mayr to spend more quality time together, to test themselves against the outdoors, and to spark a greater desire for exploration and discovery. They hope that others, especially young people, will be inspired to explore nature and to challenge themselves in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c0 propos de l'ADRA <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

L'Agence adventiste de d\u00e9veloppement et de secours est la branche humanitaire internationale de l'\u00c9glise adventiste du septi\u00e8me jour, pr\u00e9sente dans 118 pays. Son travail permet de renforcer les communaut\u00e9s et de changer des vies dans le monde entier en fournissant un d\u00e9veloppement communautaire durable et des secours en cas de catastrophe. L'objectif de l'ADRA est de servir l'humanit\u00e9 afin que tous puissent vivre comme Dieu l'a voulu. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site ADRA.org<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After facing rough tides, mosquitoes, and battling extreme heat, Hearly Mayr, 49, and his 13-year-old son, Andreas, finally reached the last stop of their 200-mile (320 km) kayaking journey down the Chesapeake Bay on Friday, July 30. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21422,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[284,614,783,11,792],"tags":[741,1099,1139,774,1161,1137],"class_list":["post-21413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-news","category-north-america","category-press-release","category-united-states","tag-adventist-church","tag-adventist-education","tag-community-outreach","tag-covid-19","tag-donor","tag-ways-to-give"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21413"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45852,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21413\/revisions\/45852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}