Outdoor Pursuits To provide the YMCA family a resource for outdoor recreation while promoting a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. March EDUCATION SESSION: The Bear Necessities – YMCA Virginia Room – Kingsport, TN DATE: March 14th TIME: 6:00p MEMBERS of the Y or Bays Mtn: Free Friends of the Y: $3 Outdoor Pursuits is bringing you a Naturalist from Bays Mountain Park to host an education session! Learn about our local bears, creating bear smart communities, and recreating in bear inhabited environments. ALL AGES. Register at the front desk of the YMCA or ymcakpt.org April HIKE/EDUCATION SESSION: Howl & Hike – Bays Mountain Park – Kingsport, TN DATE: April 7th TIME: Meet 9:15a – Depart 9:30a MEMBERS of the Y or Bays Mtn: Free Friends of the Y: $3 We’re excited to partner with Bays Mountain Park for a Howl & Hike! Start your day with a wolf program at the animal enclosure then finish with a MODERATE 3-MILE LOOP hike around Lakeside Trail. Max of 15 participants. HIKE: Laurel Run Trail – Laurel Run Park – Church Hill, TN DATE: April 14th TIME: Meet 8:15a – Depart 8:30a MEMBERS: Free Friends of the Y: $3 Laurel Run Trail is a 4.3-MILE OUT & BACK trail outside Church Hill. It features a small waterfall and wonderful views of our local spring wildflowers. Rated as MODERATE. Max of 15 participants. SPECIAL EVENT: Earth Day Clean Up – YMCA Facility – Kingsport, TN DATE: April 22nd TIME: 1:30p Everyone is welcome to come out and help clean up the YMCA and Kingsport Aquatic Center property with us! Download the MobileServe app to see upcoming volunteer opportunities at our YMCA. Organization code for app: GKYMCA May HIKE: Laurel Falls Trail – Pond Mountain Wilderness – Hampton, TN DATE: May 12th TIME: Meet 7:15a – Depart 7:30a MEMBERS: Free Friends of the Y: $3 Laurel Falls Trail is a 5.8-MILE heavily trafficked OUT AND BACK trail located near Hampton, TN. Features a beautiful waterfall and is rated as MODERATE. This trail is a small section of the Appalachian Trail. Max of 15 participants. SPECIAL EVENT: BYOK (Bring Your Own Kayak) – Bays Mountain Park – Kingsport, TN DATE: May 25th TIME: Meet 5:30p – Depart 5:45p MEMBERS: $5 Friends of the Y: $10 Embark on a 1 to 2 hour guided tour from of the reservoir atop Bays Mountain Park! Bring your own kayak or canoe and enjoy the beautiful park from a different perspective. Max of 20 participants, register early to guarantee your spot. Register May 1st – 23rd. Watercraft & paddles not provided. June HIKE: White Rock Trail – Buffalo Mountain Park – Johnson City, TN DATE: June 2nd TIME: Meet 8:15a – Depart 8:30a MEMBERS: Free Friends of the Y: $3 This trail is very rewarding with the Rhododendron’s in bloom and the views from White Rock. It is a 4.5- MILE LOOP trail rated as MODERATE, but have a few steep inclines going to the top. Max of 15 participants. SPECIAL EVENT: Whitewater Rafting – Nolichucky River Gorge – Erwin, TN DATE: June 23rd TIME: Meet 8:00a – Depart 8:15a MEMBERS: $75 Friends of the Y: $85 We are excited to collaborate with USA Raft to bring you an adventure of a lifetime! Trek the upper section of the Nolichucky River, which has over 25 named class II – IV rapids along nine miles of pristine wilderness, while witnessing the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River. This full day (5-6 hour) experience includes a riverside picnic lunch and extra fun! Ages 10+ Register May 1st – June 16th $90 value. *Raft Guide tip is not included in pricing. Check out their video! - https://youtu.be/jK0RT330QH4 July HIKE: Rock Creek Falls – Rock Creek Recreation Area – Erwin, TN DATE: July 7th TIME: Meet 8:15a – Depart 8:30a MEMBERS: Free Friends of the Y: $3 This 4.9 mile is an OUT AND BACK trail located in Rock Creek Recreation Area, which is in the beautiful Cherokee National Forest. It’s rated as MODERATE and features a waterfall and a few creek crossings. Max of 15 participants. SPECIAL EVENT: Stand Up Paddleboard– Warriors Path State Park – Kingsport, TN DATE: July 14th TIME: Meet 9:15a – Depart 9:30a MEMBERS: $35 Friends of the Y: $45 We are excited to collaborate with USA Raft to bring you this on-the-water adventure! Take part of an opportunity to see our gorgeous Tennessee State Park right here in Kingsport, Warriors Path State Park. This will test your balance as we learn how to flat-water fitness paddle. Max of 20 participants, so sign up early to guarantee your spot! Ages 7+ Register June 18th – July 8th. Check out their video - https://youtu.be/k8VmfOaXy-E August SPECIAL EVENT: BYOK – Bring Your Own Kayak DATE: August 3rd TIME: Meet 5:30p – Depart 5:45p MEMBERS: $5 Friends of the Y: $10 Embark on a 1 to 2 hour guided tour from of the reservoir atop Bays Mountain Park! Bring your own kayak or canoe and enjoy the beautiful park from a different perspective. Max of 20 participants, register early to guarantee your spot. Register July 9th – August 1st. Watercraft not provided. HIKE: Devil’s Bathtub – Jefferson National Forest – Fort Blackmore, VA DATE: August 18th TIME: Meet 7:15a – Depart 7:30a MEMBERS: Free Friends of the Y: $3 Venture to the bathtub and back, a section of Devil’s Fork Loop Trail. An OUT AND BACK trail that totals around 4.6 miles is rated as MODERATE (for our section) and located in Jefferson National Forest. This is a very scenic hike with gorgeous rock formations within Devil’s Fork Creek. We will make 13 creek crossings so be sure to wear appropriate shoes! Max of 15 participants. NEED TO KNOW We will meet in the front lobby of the YMCA facility at the appointed date and time for a short debrief, check-in, and signing of all paperwork. Please eat before you arrive and be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, snacks or small lunch, plenty of water, plastic bag for your trash, and appropriate clothing for all the activities (rain or shine). If you wish to VOLUNTEER for any of these events as an “adventure assistant,” please contact Dustin. Register at the front desk. Trail ratings based on the AllTrails app for iPhone and Android. QUESTIONS? Dustin Sims: 423.765.9722 or [email protected] .