Calling all outdoor lovers, adventure seekers, and do-gooders! What if your outdoor adventures could also make a BIG impact on a kid’s life?
We know you love to hit the open road in search of your next epic adventure to enjoy all that the Great Outdoors has to offer. What if we told you that some of the best trails can be found right in your own backyard? On October 26th, hundreds of hikers will join forces with Blue Sky Fund for their annual Hike For Kids event in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, to discover the beauty of the James River Park System while supporting inner city kids accessing and learning in the outdoors. Within steps of the concrete jungle of downtown, hikers will be treated to scenes of River City’s natural heartbeat: rushing whitewater rapids, winding wooden trails, and ospreys flying overhead.
Think back to your last outdoor adventure, and the mind-blowing wonder you experienced in exploring a new environment. Many young people growing up in Richmond’s public housing neighborhoods have not ever experienced the magic of the James River, though they live just a mile or two away. We believe that the outdoors should be a part of every child’s life. By participating in the 2019 Dominion Energy Hike For Kids, you have the power to help connect thousands of inner city kids with the transformational power of nature. As you challenge yourself to a 3-, 8- or 14-mile loop around the river, know that with each step you’re paying it forward. In true peak-bagging fashion, toast the end of your hike with an exclusive Väsen Brewing Company brew that kicks back proceeds to getting Blue Sky Fund kids outside.
Event Information
About Blue Sky Fund
Blue Sky Fund makes it possible for kids living in Richmond’s high poverty neighborhoods to experience the joys of our natural world. With both in-school and after-school programming starting in elementary school all the way through high school, Blue Sky Fund provides transformative experiences in nature to over 3,000 students each year. All of the proceeds from the Dominion Energy Hike For Kids directly supports this outdoor education programming for Richmond’s urban youth.
Blue Sky Fund leads school-based, after-school, weekend, and summer programs. Elementary school students can explore the great outdoors through the Explorers program, which helps students engage in their core science requirements through hands-on, field trip experiences in nature. Outdoor Adventure Clubs for middle school students builds character as students are immersed in outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Through the organization’s Outdoor Leadership Institute, a diverse set of high school students bond together to meet the challenges of a week-long wilderness trip and year-round community service opportunities as a team.
The Dominion Energy Hike For Kids is made possible by community sponsors, including Dominion Energy, Capital One, Genworth Financial, the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, One Digital, Outdoor Access, Riverside Outfitters, and Väsen Brewing Company.
© Photography Bridget Williams
