Volunteers Needed - Hoosier Outdoor Experience – Sept 15 & 16

[Steve King]

Location, Fort Harrison.
This event consists of many different types of outdoor activities, but our section concentrates on the mountain biking aspect. Last year, we offered an obstacle section with everything from small rock gardens, to wooden stairs that we built. We also offered the participants a chance to experience a real mountain bike trail in a small section of the woods.
 
 What can volunteers expect?
Volunteers are a huge part of this event, and last year was very demanding. We will need a total of around 30 volunteers per day, why do we need this many people per day? If you're not a avid rider, or have never rode on anything except a sidewalk this event is a very new experience and most kids (and some adults) needed assistance with the skills course and trail.
 
 Last year was a very long couple of days for the volunteers and this year I would like to split the days in half and rotate people from one station to another.
 
 What you can do to help:
 
 - Volunteer for starters!
 - Send me your email address, I will be making an online spreadsheet to show a list of stations, number of people needed, and some type of actual schedule that moves from one station to another.
 - Spread the word! After you confirm this event on Facebook, I will make you an Admin on the event page so you can spread the word to your friends.
- Note, plenty of ways non-mountain bikers can help.
- Give me and ideas or suggestions. To all those who were part of the event last year, I need your ideas.
 
 Go to register for volunteer spots:
 
 http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/6923456310425080107
 
Facebook Event link:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/466755440010410/466769193342368/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Please feel free to contact me directly
 
 justinawhitaker@me.com
 
 Thank you!
Justin

[tjuillerat]

Dang!  Once again this falls on a weekend where we already have plans!

[Steve King]

Come out and support mountain biking at Fort Harrison.
We need A LOT more volunteers!
See above details and link to sign up.
THANKS!

[deanarammalamma]

Signed up for Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for the reminder!

[garydzeb]

I signed up for both days too.  I've helped out the last two years and this is really a great event!  Everyone should help the HMBA out for a shift or two, and then be sure to spend some time checking out all the other fun stuff!

[Steve King]

Volunteers are still needed.  See first post above.

 Below is a Press Release for the Hoosier Outdoor Experience.

Fourth Annual Hoosier Outdoor Experience

Fort Harrison State Park

September 15^th and 16^th, 2012

Bring out your inner Outdoor self!  The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is the largest annual hands-on recreation event in Indiana.  This year promises to bring even more groups and events to encourage Hoosiers of all ages to pursue new outdoor interests.  “The whole point of this Experience is to get people to embrace the outdoors.  It’s about taking people who have little outdoor knowledge, or even no outdoor knowledge, and showing them what’s available around the State and how to do it” according to Bourke Patton, Director of NRF. 
 
This Experience will include opportunities to learn from experts in more than 50 events:  from rock climbing to mountain biking to shooting pellet guns to orienteering to riding ponies to crossing a rope bridge to archery to fly fishing to canoeing and kayaking to birding to mountain bicycling to hiking and camping to gold panning to becoming a Friend of Fort Harrison to making s’mores.  It is not a trade show, sport show or commercial event.  In addition, there are special exhibits at the renovated Park Headquarters offices near the stables. 
 
Last year the Experience drew an estimated 20,000 visitors with 150 volunteers from conservation and recreation groups.  Since Fort Harrison covers 1,700 acres, there are trolleys between these free events throughout the park.  Shuttle buses take visitors from the Bean Finance Center to the Park. 
 
This family-oriented weekend-long event is sponsored by the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Natural Resources.
 
This is a FREE event with FREE entry to this beautiful State Park this weekend.
 
For a map and more information, contact HoosierOutdoorExperience.IN.gov

 Go to register for volunteer spots:
 
 http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/6923456310425080107

Facebook Event link:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/466755440010410/466769193342368/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

[laneuiowa77]

Awesome time volunteering Sat. Gorgeous day, cool skills course, sweet single track and lots of happy riders.

[Steve King]

Another successful Hoosier Outdoor Experience.  This year 24,000 people attended.  Again looks like mountain biking was one of the most popular activities.  We had people lined up and waiting both days, all day!  Make sure and put next year's date on your calendar, mid Sept., no firm date at this time.

Quote from Justin Whitaker (our Hoosier Outdoor Experience leader).
Sucess! Couldn't have asked for a better weekend and a great group of people. There are so many people to thank, I may not be able to do it in one post... Thank you sincerely to Hoosier Mountain Bike Association Paul Arlinghaus, Steve King, Mark Finney, Heather Conner, Brian Downs, Dean Hoover Nikki Solis, Gary Degler John Maren Timothy Blair, Mike Hufhand, Jason Hilt Geoff Chambers, and many many more! Truly a great event and even more rewarding. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year. Thank you again.

And a quote from Paul Arlinghaus.
Great Job everyone.  Justin did a great job organizing the HMBA part of the event and HMBA volunteers did another great job.  Also thanks to the IDNR for putting on the event.

[bikeguyrd1]

Hi, I went to the Fort, and your club put on a great event. I am writing to see if you might be able to put on a much smaller version for out cub scout fall campout at nameless creek youth camp in greenfield. I know the boys would love it. The event is Oct.20th. Thanks for any help. Brian ph 317-496-9151

[Steve King]

Hi, I went to the Fort, and your club put on a great event. I am writing to see if you might be able to put on a much smaller version for out cub scout fall campout at nameless creek youth camp in greenfield. I know the boys would love it. The event is Oct.20th. Thanks for any help. Brian ph 317-496-9151

PM sent