Outdoor Explore! June 8, 2024 event report – HCKC booth coordinator Judy Thompson

Outdoor Explore! is an annual free event designed to introduce people to outside activities, put together by the Tippecanoe Co. Park & Rec. Dept. HCKC has manned the paddle sports portion of this event for several years. We give people a very basic overview of paddling basics and safety, fit them with pfds, and then let them experience the fun of kayak and canoe paddling in a small onsite lake. We also assist with getting in and out of the boats, and provide on water safety support. This event has grown through the years. Most participants signed in as a family, so the exact number of participants in paddle sports this year is not known, but in the 110 – 130 range. Please consider volunteering for this in the future – it is a rewarding time introducing new people to our beloved sport. We were extremely busy with five volunteers, and could have easily used twice that many. A BIG THANK YOU to Dwayne James, Dainon Wray, John Lawrence, and Greg Ubelhor.