The Clearwater Conservancy, along with many partnering organizations, this week launched Centred Outdoors, an open invitation to free guided adventures at nine outdoor destinations around Centre County during the summer of 2017.

“We applaud this new program, which is directly in line with an objective in our statewide outdoor recreation plan connecting being active in the outdoors to health and wellness,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said.

Outdoor recreation can be viewed as a way to address societal health care issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health. Scientific research links health and wellness to those who are participating in outside recreation.

Making outdoor recreation a part of regular routine can be a “prescription” for wellness, Dunn noted.

On June 11, the public is invited to a Family Fishing Picnic from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Tussey Mountain to mark the official kick-off of Centred Outdoors.

It will feature fishing and food, children’s activities, fly tying and fly casting stations, kayaking, and guided and other wilderness workshops. Please RSVP by sending email to: info@centredoutdoors.org.

Beginning June 18, Centred Outdoors events will take place every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., and every Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., until August 20.  

Events will feature guided hikes and additional outdoor activities for everyone to explore, appreciate, and discover the natural locations in Centre County.

Participants who track their progress will earn credit on the Centred Outdoors website and be eligible to win end-of-summer prizes for taking the “Centred Outdoors Challenge.”

Locations include Black Moshannon, Bald Eagle, and Poe Paddy state parks.

Emily Gates, Director of Strategic Partnerships at PA Recreation & Park Society explains, “Centred Outdoors, establishes the platform needed to unite various partners in health, conservation, and recreation to achieve a common goal with immediate and long-term effects.”

For more information, visit the Centred Outdoors website.

(Photo: Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, Centre County.)

(Reprinted from the May 31 Resource newsletter from DCNR.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

[Posted: June 1, 2017]

6/5/2017