After a year plus spent inside on computer screens for virtual education, if there was ever a need for kids to get outside – it’s right now! Blue Sky Fund needs the community’s support to reconnect City of Richmond students with the outdoors. Blue Sky Fund is a non-profit organization that provides transformative outdoor education to primarily youth of color and students from underserved areas across Richmond, Va.
Students will need more support than ever as they return to school this fall, and Blue Sky’s outdoor learning experiences are an essential part of the recovery process. Blue Sky’s programming is uniquely designed to address many of the challenges presented by COVID-19 – from curbing learning gaps after 18 months of virtual education, to helping students process the trauma of the past year and reconnect with their peers – all in the safest space for them to be during a pandemic: outside.
This October, Blue Sky Fund is celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of our favorite fall events – OneDigital Hike For Kids – and aiming to raise $70,000 to support the relaunch of their programming this school year.
Event Overview
OneDigital Hike For Kids is a unique family-friendly event that brings together hikers to raise funds and awareness of Blue Sky’s outdoor education programs. NEW this year – you can choose your own hiking adventure! Either join Blue Sky Fund in person on Saturday, October 23rd to hike on the trails of the James River Park System, or participate virtually by hiking ANY trail on ANY day in October.
Richmond hikers joining in-person will enjoy some of the best urban trails in the country with either a 3-, 8- or 14-mile loop around the James River – and then celebrate the journey at a post-hike party with food from Slideways, beer from Väsen Brewing Company, and live music from local acoustic artists Andrew Alli and Josh Smalls. On tap from Väsen will be the *NEW* Backpack Porter – a rich, velvety smooth porter brewed in collaboration with Blue Sky Fund!
Blue Sky Fund is also offering a virtual option to make this event accessible for anyone that wants to participate. Recognizing that people have varying comfort levels as we emerge from this pandemic, the virtual option enables you to support the youth of Blue Sky Fund from a safe social distance. Virtual participants can choose to hike any trail – any distance – on any day during the month of October, and are encouraged to post a photo from their hike using the hashtag #TakeAHikeForKids and tagging @BlueSkyFund for a chance to be featured on social media!
Both in-person and virtual participants will snag a sweet swag bag featuring a reusable cutlery set (perfect for camping!), exclusive 10th Anniversary sticker, and more outdoor products! In honor of the 10th event anniversary, the first 100 Virginia hikers will win a free day pass to Virginia State Parks, and all registrants will unlock a special offer to fuel your hiking journey!
Hiker Challenges
Participate in one of Blue Sky’s Hiker Challenges to compete for sweet outdoor prizes!
Riverside Outfitters Thru-Hiker Challenge – Most # of Miles Hiked:
Think you’ve got what it takes to hike the most miles from October 1st-23rd and be crowned the Thru-Hiker winner? You could win an Osprey backpacking pack – it’s not too late to start!
TrueTimber #SquadGoals Challenge – Team With Most # Hikers:
Rally your friends near and far to join your team for the chance to win super cool water bottles from Hydroflask to keep your squad fully hydrated for all of your outdoor adventures!
VA Department of Wildlife Resources Explorer of the Wild – Featured Photos:
For all you virtual hikers – post a snapshot from your hike, tagging @BlueSkyFund and #TakeAHikeForKids, and follow along to see if your photo is featured! You’ll win an exclusive “Explore the Wild” goodie bag, including items such as an outdoor notebook, sticker pack, wildlife identification guide, and calendar!
Kaléo All-Star Supporter Challenge – Hiker With Most $ Donations:
Hike above and beyond for our students by raising funds for Blue Sky! The hiker that raises the most amount of donations will score a stellar prize pack from Black Diamond, featuring a daypack, headlamp, lantern, and hiking poles.
Your support of OneDigital Hike For Kids will directly help Blue Sky Fund relaunch in-person programming this fall and reconnect students with the restorative benefits of nature to heal from this pandemic.
Cover photo by Bridget Williams
