Atlanta Outdoor Club

benjt · by **benjt** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:57 am

Paula was talking about "giving back" and it gave me an idea. Who would be interested in taking needy children, such as inner-city kids, for a hike? I need to do some research about how this may work, but here is what I envision. Either we lead the hike or perhaps some other organization is already organizing this type of thing and we will participate. We would have perhaps 8 kids and 8 AOC hikers. We can start with a talk of the basics of the outdoors such as wildlife and leave no trace. Then we would hike of course. Let me know what you think!

kattmartin · by **kattmartin** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:52 pm

You could talk to the Boys and Girls Club in Midtown. Their focus is similar, and they would probably appreciate the assistance.....

ucfhocky55 · by **ucfhocky55** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:13 pm

i think that this is a brilliant idea, and i'd be more than happy to be a part of it.

patrick · by **patrick** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:49 pm

A few organizations exist like this exist and you can help. In fact, a few friends have worked (and volunteered) for them. They call it Hoods 'n the Woods :wink:

Try http://www.sierraclub.org/ico/ and many more like 'em.

nic13g · by **nic13g** on Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:16 pm

I like the idea of the AOC helping out. I would suggest taking the route of helping out an existing orgainization though rather than taking the task on alone. Such as the Boys and Girls club that Katt mentioned. I say this because the AOC will be taking on alot of liability if we were to go it alone.

Michelle492 · by **Michelle492** on Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:11 am

Sounds great. I'd be interested as well.

Kevin · by **Kevin** on Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:58 am

If you need help orgainizing something like this, let me know. I have had experience with setting up a trip for 20+ kids to the GA coast...

tcollins · by **tcollins** on Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:26 pm

I'm glad this came up. It was one of the things on my list I wanted to do. I've already been in contact with one group here in Atlanta called Camp Twin Lakes. They have a 300 acre camp site for kids with medical problems. They will do one week for kids with cancer, another week for kids with AIDS, another for kids with transplants, ...

This allows kids to attend camp who would otherwise not be able to go. They also have one of the best scores for managing money in that 85% of all money raised is spent directly on program service. (United Way only spends 33% on the needy.)

I have volunteered my time with them before and am signed up to help again. I have also contacted the director of special events, where they do all their fund raising, about getting a group of AOC'ers to help out. I haven't had a chance to get everyone's else's input. Here's some of their fund raising events this year. If we can get enough people to help out, we'll even get some free advertising. Here's the last reply I got from them. Let me know what everyone thinks.

You can learn a lot about them here: http://www.camptwinlakes.org/index.php

Thanks

Tom

We would love to have a group from the Atlanta Outdoor Club volunteer with us. Perhaps the ING Marathon or Spin for Kids would be particularly appealing to your group? Or even the 790 the Zone Radiothon (we would definitely give you an on-air mention at that event!) or a Volunteer Work Day? We would love to create a relationship with your group. Just let me know what type of volunteer opportunity you are looking for and/or what you think would most appeal to the group and we can go from there!

Best of Atlanta Party**: Monday, March 10 at the Cobb Galleria
Ticket Takers, Will Call, Raffle Ticket Sellers, Silent Auction

Run for Kids** (CTL team at ING Marathon): Sunday, March 30
Camp Twin Lakes Water & Cheer Station

Camp Dance: Saturday, April 12 at Zoo Atlanta
Registration & Will Call

Golf Tournament: Monday, April 21 at TPC Sugarloaf
Registration, Raffle Tickets, Silent Auction, Contest Judges

Dunwoody Beer Fest: Date TBA (Saturday in May)
Ticket Takers, Beer Pourers

790 the Zone Radiothon: Thursday, July 17 at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge
Answer Phones, Process Credit Cards, Mail Pledges

Chili Cook-Off: Date TBA (Saturday in late September)
Ticket Takers, Chili Runners

Silent Auction Reception: Date TBA (Saturday in early October)
Registration, Silent Auction

Spin for Kids: Date TBA (Sunday in late October) at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge
Registration, Drive Supply Vehicles, Finish Line

Partners Card: November 1-9
Various opportunities available throughout the year.

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gunghonia · by **gunghonia** on Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:12 am

I second Nick's view that we should help an existing organization to avoid incurring any heavy liability.

That being said, I'm in! I think it'd be great if we could make it an even ratio of members to kids (or as close as we can get to it) so they could have a hike-mentor on the trail.

hikergirl · by **hikergirl** on Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:04 pm

I am totally excited for us to work with a children/teen organization, looking at what Twin Lakes is offering it looks like us working their fundraising events. I am all for helping them in that capacity. I would like to see us getting involved with organizations that we interact with the kids.

We could see if there are days at Egelston/Scotish Rite Children's Hospital where we could get a group to visit with the kids there, reading stories, face painting, balloon animal making etc.....

brian · by **brian** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:57 pm

I don't have any advise but I will be more than happy to help out in any capacity I can.

Atlanta Outdoor Club

Idea for an event: who would be interested?

Idea for an event: who would be interested?

Idea for an event: who would be interested?

Camp Twin Lakes

helping out kids

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