Hike encourages outdoor exploration ahead of the holiday season
By The Friends of the St Clair River
Friends of the St. Clair River and St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission are teaming up to offer a unique way to participate in an alternative to Black Friday shopping. The OptOutside Hike is planned for Friday, November 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Columbus County Park, 1670 Bauman Road in Columbus Township. Families are encouraged to pull on boots for an adventure and discover why people are opting outside on Black Friday.
OptOutside was started by outdoor retailer REI in 2015 to reduce over-consumption. On Black Friday, REI closes its brick and mortar stores, pauses online payments, and gives employees a paid day off. For five years, St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission and Friends of the St. Clair River have been following in these footsteps. Friends Education Manager, Melissa Kivel, said, “This outdoor event offers a relaxed alternative to the pressure holiday shopping sometimes brings. We are encouraging people to kick-off the holidays with a guided hike set in this beautiful 400-acre county park.”
The hike culminates with a large bonfire with smores and hot cocoa. The event is free. For more information, contact Melissa Kivel, at 810.531.6906 or melissa@scriver.org.
Founded in 2007, Friends of the St. Clair River is Michigan Thumb Coast’s largest environmental organization committed to protect and restore the St. Clair River watershed through community education, environmental monitoring, hands-on stewardship, and advocacy. Visit www.scriver.org and “Friends of the St. Clair River” on social.
