Published: July 18, 2008 11:12 pm            

Outdoor Explorer events ongoing

Huntsville residents have another chance to explore the Huntsville State Park before the summer ends by signing up for the Outdoor Explorer event.

You can learn more about biking, hiking and kayaking safety while enjoying the state park during three more sessions of the popular event hosted by the City of Huntsville’s Recreation Services.

Dates scheduled include July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ages 12 and up can register with an attending parent or guardian. Participants 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Program assistant Megan Crank said the program will be held at the Group Screened Shelter.

“This event is geared toward learning the basics of biking, hiking and kayaking safety,” she said. “We ask that interested participants call and reserve their spot so that we know who is going to show up. We need at least 10 people signed up in order to have the class and it is limited to 30 people.”

During the first hour of the program, participants will have registration and go through the beginner safety briefs in order to earn any of the three certifications available, Crank said.

“If people are coming in and have never taken the course before, they will obtain a one-year certification that will allow them to use the city’s outdoor equipment for free for one year,” she said. “If participants have gone through the beginner safety brief before or have previous knowledge and experience, they will have an opportunity to take the intermediate Outdoor Explorer written exam. This will kind of be like a review test to make sure they know the rules and make sure they are knowledgeable on the safety issues.”

If participants are successful on the written exam, they will obtain a two-year certification, allowing them to use the city’s outdoor equipment for free for the next two years.

Crank said participants who come in with extensive experience in these areas, have gone through the safety brief and taken the written exam will have an opportunity to earn a four-year certification.

“If the participants can display safety techniques and procedures in the water, they will earn certification allowing them to use the city’s outdoor equipment for free for four years,” she said.

The remainder of the afternoon will be full of activities, Crank said.

“The rest of the day participants will rotate through the hiking, biking and kayaking areas on their own,” she said. “There will not be instructors on site to assist participants. We don’t encourage fist-timers who don’t have prior knowledge on, for example, how to ride a bike to participate for safety reasons.”

Crank said Outdoor Explorer is the perfect way to end the summer and encourages families to get involved.

For more information about the program or to sign up, call Crank at (936) 294-5725.

        

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