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Outdoor Initiatives


Outdoor Initiatives provides adventure trips, outdoor recreation programs & education at an affordable price to the community. Leave No Trace guidelines are followed on all excursions. Scholarships may be available, call 833-8647. Office location: Valley Water Mill Park, 2450 E. Valley Water Mill Rd.

  2. Spring Hiking Series


    Attention
    This event has been canceled due to concerns of Coronavirus. Read more on Coronavirus related closures here.


    13 yrs. & up (13-17 yrs. with an adult)
    Feb. 22: Roaring River State Park
    with campfire & s’mores (2.7 miles)
    April 18: Devil’s Well & Cave Spring (4.6 miles)
    Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    $20/Person

  3. WOW School at Lake Springfield Park


    Attention
    This event has been canceled due to concerns of Coronavirus. Read more on Coronavirus related closures here.


    4 yrs. and up
    April 17-18
    Fri., 5 p.m. -Sat., 5 p.m.
    $32/person or
    $102/family of 4

  4. Spring Backpacking Trip


    Attention
    This event has been canceled due to concerns of Coronavirus. Read more on Coronavirus related closures here.


    15 yrs. and up (15-17 yrs. with an adult)
    April 25-26
    Sat., 8 a.m.-Sun., 7 p.m.
    $60/Person


  3. Adventure Days - Hike & Milkshake


    If you are ages 11-14 and like all kinds of outdoor adventure, these day trips are for you! Each day is packed full of different outdoor activities that include hiking, cave crawling, kayaking, and more. Sign up for one day, or for the ultimate adventure, all five! Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion. Limited to 12 kids. Register by Monday prior to each program.

    AGE
    11-14 yrs.
    DATE
    Wed., June 3
    TIME
    8 a.m.-5 p.m., (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. & Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)
    LOCATION
    Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion
    FEE
    $35/Day

     


  4. Adventure Days - Kayaking on the James River


    If you are ages 11-14 and like all kinds of outdoor adventure, these day trips are for you! Each day is packed full of different outdoor activities that include hiking, cave crawling, kayaking, and more. Sign up for one day, or for the ultimate adventure, all five! Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion. Limited to 12 kids. Register by Monday prior to each program.

    AGE
    11-14 yrs.
    DATE
    Wed., June 17
    TIME
    8 a.m.-5 p.m., (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. & Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)
    LOCATION
    Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion
    FEE
    $35/Day

     


  5. Adventure Days - Hike & Swim at Lake of the Ozarks 


    If you are ages 11-14 and like all kinds of outdoor adventure, these day trips are for you! Each day is packed full of different outdoor activities that include hiking, cave crawling, kayaking, and more. Sign up for one day, or for the ultimate adventure, all five! Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion. Limited to 12 kids. Register by Monday prior to each program.

    AGE
    11-14 yrs.
    DATE
    Wed., July 1
    TIME
    8 a.m.-5 p.m., (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. & Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)
    LOCATION
    Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion
    FEE
    $35/Day

     


  6. Adventure Days - Rock Climbing Skills & Climbing at Zenith Climbing Center


    If you are ages 11-14 and like all kinds of outdoor adventure, these day trips are for you! Each day is packed full of different outdoor activities that include hiking, cave crawling, kayaking, and more. Sign up for one day, or for the ultimate adventure, all five! Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion. Limited to 12 kids. Register by Monday prior to each program.

    AGE
    11-14 yrs.
    DATE
    Wed., July 8
    TIME
    8 a.m.-5 p.m., (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. & Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)
    LOCATION
    Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion
    FEE
    $35/Day

     


  7. Outdoor Trailblazers Camp


    Does your child love the great outdoors? This outdoor skills camp will feature all the best outdoor activities the Ozarks has to offer and more! Each day will include an outdoor adventure that is centered around an outdoor skill. Campers will learn all about these outdoor skills through fun games/activities and then get to go on an adventure with certified staff. Trips will include a kayaking trip on the Niangua River, rock climbing skills with a trip to Zenith Climbing Center, cave exploration, a trip to Fritz’s Adventure, and to cap it all off parents are invited to join us for an optional overnight campout at Ritter Springs Park on the final night of camp. Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion. Limited to 13 kids. Register by Aug. 14.

    AGE
    9-12 yrs.
    DATE
    Aug. 17-22
    TIME
    8 a.m.-5 p.m., (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. & Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)
    LOCATION
    Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Family Center outdoor pavilion
    FEE
    $225