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| Most of the kids have never been on a lake. By the end of the week, they're seasoned pros. |
The epicenter of Outdoor Adventure Camp is beautiful, cliff rimmed Mead's Quarry Lake and a tent, pavilion and picnic tables nearby. Occasionally, the kids walk to the Visitor Center for an animal presentation or class, but most of the outdoor activities are around the lake and its companion trails and creek. So, the kids spend five days outside in nature away from brick and asphalt.
Every Monday we get a new group and the first day is spent with team building activities. The oldest kids are made team leaders. Week six most of the kids were from Norwood Boys & Girls Club.
Every Tuesday, the kids get their first trip to the lake for some basic instruction on safe practices in the water. Most of these Boys & Girls clubbers have never been in a lake to this extent, but by Friday, they are seasoned veterans.
During the rest of the week there's many activities, but also many trips to the water, especially during the heat of the afternoon. Fridays always end with an ice cream social.
Outdoor Adventure Camp is a confidence builder. It's a new program for Ijams and it's made possible with the help of these 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
Additional food and funding provided by:
• South Knoxville Alliance
Ijams offers camp scholarships for kids in traditionally under-served communities. After the first four weeks we've seen kids from Walter P. Taylor, Western Heights, Middlebrook, North Ridge Crossing, Halls/Powell and Haslam and Norwood Boys and Girls Club.
Here's some highlights of week six:
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