Here are upcoming outdoor news and events for Chattanooga:

Kids Time Thursdays at the TN Riverpark Through July 26

Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host special Kids Time activities at the TN Riverpark every Thurs., 10 a.m. at Shelter #4, continuing through July 26. Different free, weekly programs will feature nature drawing, reading, water activities and agricultural programs. The programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10 when accompanied by an adult. No reservations are necessary.  Groups of 8 or more should call ahead. To learn more, call Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation at 423 842-6748.

Rapid Learning Roll Practice July 3
Come join us on Tues., July 3, at our new location at Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park. Two sessions: 5:30 to 7 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Map of the new program site.) Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 423 643-6888.

Beginner Whitewater Kayak OutVentures July 7 & 8
Outdoor Chattanooga will host beginner whitewater kayaking OutVentures with the Rapid Learning Whitewater Program on Sat. and Sun., July 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The trips will take participants to a regional whitewater stream to learn basic rescue, boat handling and river reading skills. Cost is $35 for Rapid Learning program members or $40 for non members and includes all equipment, transportation and instruction. Pre registration is required. Participants who have not joined a Rapid Learning trip before will have their skills assessed by one of our staff via phone before taking the trip. To reserve a spot or learn more, please email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 423 643-6888.

Downtown Kayak Adventures July 7 & 8
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., July 7 and 8, from 9 to11:30 a.m. The beginner friendly trips take paddlers around the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 423 643-6888.

Downtown History Tour by Kayak July 14
Take a special history tour of downtown Chattanooga by kayak on Sat., June 30, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will be joined by interpretive rangers from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Learn about Chattanooga’s significance in world and life changing events, like the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. Reservations are required. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 423 643-6888.

Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail – Information Meeting July 17
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a public meeting about the Ultimate Hike, a 28.3 mile hike benefitting Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, on Tues., July 17, 6:30 p.m., at our Coolidge Park facility, 200 River St. Interested members of the public are invited to learn how they can train for the Chattanooga Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail, which happens on Sat., Oct. 13, 2012. Leah Bartlett, from Cure Search, will be here to answer questions about training, fundraising and the hike experience. No pre-registration is required for the meeting. Additional information meetings will be held on July 18 at Rock/Creek and July 20 at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

More Events
Free Standup Paddleboard Demo June 30
L2 Boards will host a free demo day and standup paddleboard clinic on Sat., June 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. L2 will begin its free SUP stroke clinic at 11 a.m. to help paddlers improve their technique. Reservations are required for both programs. Please call 423 531-7873 for more information or to reserve a spot.

C.O.W.S. Need Swimmers and Kayakers on Wednesdays
Swimmers and kayakers are invited to join the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers group (C.O.W.S.) every Wed. evening, 5:15 p.m., under the Market St. Bridge for a group open water swim.  The group meets every week through October on Wednesday evenings. Swimmers should have a competitive background and be able to freestyle for at least one mile in a pool. Beginner kayakers are welcome. To learn more, email Karah Nazor Friberg.

Adult Learn to Row Class July 16-28
The Lookout Rowing Club (LRC) will host a Learn to Row Class for adults July 16—28. Former Princeton University rower and incoming Girls Preparatory School Coach Anders Swanson will teach the essential skills needed for sculling (rowing in a boat with two oars). The two week class will include 10 classes, scheduled as follows: Mon. to Thurs., 6 to 8 p.m. and Sat., 9 to 11 a.m. Cost is $200 per person and can be credited toward a LRC membership. Pre registration is required. All participants should be competent swimmers and comfortable in the water. To register or learn more, email Diane Moore or call 423 718-8685.

News
Wilderness First Responder Course Aug. 21-25 in Sewanee
The Sewanee Fire and Rescue Dept. will host a 5-Day Wilderness First Responder Course on Aug. 21-15. The cost is $650 and does not include lodging and meals. The class will be taught by Wilderness Medical Associates and pre registration required. For more information, email Doug Cameron.

Adventures
Young Explorers at Hamilton Co. Parks July 10 – 24
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation continues their Young Explorers program for kids ages 3 to 6 on Tuesdays, from 10 to 11 a.m. and July 10 - 24, at Enterprise South Nature Park. Programs will include hikes, crafts and wildlife activities. Cost is $3 per session and pre registration is required by calling423 842-6748. No program on July 3.
Schedule:
July 10           Show me the Energy
July 17           Water, Water Everywhere!
July 24           Worms!         

Web Hit of the Week
Is a month long bike tour too much for your hectic summer schedule? Try a Bike Overnights trip instead.
Last Week’s Web Hit
“City Cycling,” edited by John Pucher and Ralph Buehler, explains why women are the true “indicator species” for a bicycle friendly world.

Upcoming Events . . .
July
19          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions
22          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic
23-27      TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp

August
4           Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K 
11         Chattanooga Mud Run
     Missionary Ridge Road Race
16         Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
25      Raft for the Cure
26         Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
14/15    Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
20         Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23    Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
22-23    Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships

October
5-14      RiverRocks Chattanooga
6           Swim the Suck
             Rock/Creek Stump Jump
             UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta

             Sequatchie Valley Century

              River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
              SUP Splash
              TN River Rescue
13          Chattanooga Head Race
      Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
18          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21          7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4         Head of the Hooch
10          Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
      Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon

December
15          Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k