Ijams finishes inital week of new Outdoor Adventure Camp!

 At Ijams, we believe playing outside is a vital part of childhood. Most of the staff are here because of magical memories they have of catching fireflies in jars, looking for tadpoles in the creek or just gazing up at the sky, imagining shapes in the clouds. Kids today are getting farther and farther away from these experiences.

This summer, Ijams is embarking on an exciting new program for East Tennessee children. Outdoor Adventure Camp!

We're talking hiking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, biking, creek exploring, dip-netting, sweep netting, rock climbing.

With the help of generous partners:

          • West Knoxville Sertoma Club 
          • Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley 
          • Grassroots Outdoor Alliance 
          • Horny Toad Activewear 
          • Pelican International 
           • River Sports Outfitters 

Ijams will be able to offer camp scholarships for kids in traditionally under-served communities. 

After all, if we can open the doors to nature with just a two-hour field trip, imagine what we can do with the kids for 40 hours, having fun and exploring over 300 acres of forests, meadows, creeks, ponds and rivers! What if we can teach them exciting and safe ways to enjoy nature, while also inspiring them to want to care for it?

- By Jennifer Roder, photos: Stephen Lyn Bales. Photos SLB.

Ignite Greatness!