OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

By Mallery Nagle

Springtime is knocking on your door for you to come out and play. With so many outdoor options in the Oklahoma City metro area, the Edmond Parks and Recreation Department has introduced Trail 13, a series of outdoor adventure workshops.

According to Jared Prince, recreation program coordinator with Edmond Parks and Recreation, Trail 13 is an extension of the popular Outdoor Adventure series. “This is more advanced, indepth instruction on certain topics,” he said.

Popular classes in the Outdoor Adventure series include Basic Kayaking, Hike and Brew (a Monday morning hike featuring coffee breaks with samples from local roasteries), 3D Archery, Fishing 101, Off-road Mountain Biking and Fire Building and Campfire Cooking.

The city has partnered with experts, vendors and various state agencies to provide resources and instruction on a host of outdoor recreation topics to outdoor enthusiasts, Prince explained.

For example, Fishing Oklahoma, offered in March, featured a speaker from the Oklahoma Department of Conservation who discussed the different fish species, fishing techniques and fishing locations in the state. In addition, a fishing expert from Backwoods discussed an array of fishing gear.

Slated for April 16 is Kayaking. Steve from Steve’s Adventures local outdoor guide and YouTube adventurer at SAjackson62 will discuss the best places in the Oklahoma City area to kayak, how to register your boat, how to fish from your kayak and how to camp and kayak. Prince pointed out that there are six scenic rivers and more than 200 lakes in the state. “There is a whole other world you can experience from your kayak,” Prince said. “Someone told me that going on adventures with me makes them discover a great part of themselves,” said Steve’s Adventures. “The adventurous part of them that challenges them and makes them feel vulnerable. That vulnerability is where growth happens. It shows them what feeds their body and soul.

“Introducing people to kayaking is sharing my happiness with them,” Steve’s Adventures continued. “It’s like sharing that ice cream you love and want everyone to try because of how good it tastes, and it makes you feel happy.”

Camping in Oklahoma will be the topic of the April 30 class. Prince said representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and from Arcadia Lake will discuss the various campgrounds and camping options across the state. In addition, camping experts from REI will discuss how to prepare for a fun and memorable camping trip.

“The goal for the outdoor series was to introduce an area we hadn’t gotten into yet,” Prince said. “And it’s not just about Edmond. We’re showcasing all of Oklahoma.”

In addition to connecting people with nature, Prince said these “We’re showcasing all of Oklahoma.”

- Jared Prince PHOTO BY STEVE’S ADVENTURES

Erica Moore from REI assists a hiker with backpack sizes in a Trail 13 workshop. PHOTO BY DEANNE YORK

classes are connecting outdoor enthusiasts with one another. “It’s networking, it’s a community,” he said. He also hopes that the courses will encourage people to spend more time out of doors, which could lead to healthier lifestyles.

All Trail 13 classes are held from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursdays at the MAC in Mitch Park. The class is free, but registration is highly encouraged. You may register for classes at http:// edmondok.com/337/Parks-Recreation or by calling (405) 359-4630. For more information on outdoor adventuring follow Steve’s Adventures on YouTube at SAjackson62.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY KINNETT