The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation is on a mission to get more kids outside!

The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation is hosting a free OKC Thrive Outside Expo during the Oklahoma Regatta Festival in downtown Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District on Saturday, October 5, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., featuring outdoor fun for the whole family. Partners in the OKC Thrive Outside Expo include Women Who Hike, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, National Park Service, OKC Bike Club, RIVERSPORT OKC’s Stinchcomb Wildlife Experience, Threshold Climbing, Fitness & Yoga and more.

“Thanks to the Outdoor Foundation and the Thrive Outside Grant we are able to provide a free opportunity for kids to get excited about outdoor activities, and hopefully find an activity they’d like to learn more about,” explained executive director Mike Knopp. “It’s also a chance for families to learn about OKC’s Thrive Outside programs and see if they’d like to get involved.”

Activities offered at the OKC Thrive Outside Expo include climbing, camping, hiking, fishing, biking, wildlife and more.

“Every child that attends the expo will get a passport to check off every activity they try,” explained Knopp. “When they have completed the passport, they’ll get a certificate for a free kayak rental they can use anytime in the next year.”

The Outdoor Foundation recently recognized Oklahoma City, Atlanta, San Diego and Grand Rapids with three-year $410,000 Thrive Outside community grants designed to give more families more access to outdoor activities.

“In the first three months, more than 1,000 kids from the YMCA, the Latino Community Development Agency, OKC Parks Department, OKC Public Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and other groups around OKC have participated in week-long summer camps filled with kayaking, adventures and lots of outdoor time – all either free or offered at nominal cost via the Thrive grant,” said Director of Corporate Engagement and Youth Outreach Melanie Borger. “We expect that number to grow as we continue to provide outdoor experiences for youth in OKC.”

The OKC Thrive Outside Expo is happening in conjunction with the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, October 4-6. The weekend will include racing on the Oklahoma River, RIVERSPORT Rapids and Adventures, and deals on RIVERSPORT passes. For more information on the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, visit https://www.riversportokc.org/events/oklahoma-regatta-festival/.

To learn more about the OKC Thrive Outside Expo, visit https://www.riversportokc.org/events/oklahoma-regatta-festival/thrive-outside-expo/, or email info@riversportokc.com.