They’ve been doing events since 2008. Became efficient with their setups. Everything is in boxes/shelves in a trailer. Food is adjustable/modular based on the volume of people they expect. Events are adult and kid oriented, and they are self-guided since they focus on unstructured play. They always have a them, and then people are free to do what they want. They can explore and enjoy the outdoors. They try to remove the barriers to getting outside. A lot of times parents are hesitant to take their kids fishing because they don’t know how to fish. There are people there that can help them bridge that gap. Encourage the kids and their parents to explore.
The events are held in town. They find the bits of nature in town and introduce people to those parks. Since it’s in their backyard, it makes it really easy and accessible for more people.
It’s called TAKO, but it’s really more so Take an Adult Outdoors. The kids are used to it, but the parents aren’t always used to it. When they first started in Northeast Iowa, they found that the people coming to the events were already outdoorsy people. They were preaching to the choir. They weren’t reaching a new audience. They then decided to reach out to Big Brother Big Sister. They knew that they didn’t do things outside. So they offered free lunch for BBBS and their kids, and they could do things outside. They then brought it to these more urban areas that are surrounded by apartments and single family homes.
Once they started doing more activities, she realized that cities have events, but the events are very structured. TAKO decided to be the opposite of that. You need the structured events, but you need the unstructured programs too. At TAKO, they have no goals/no curriculum. If their event is about frogs, but you go collect leaves…good! It’s been difficult at times to get funding because cities/counties don’t understand the program. What they really need is mentors that can help people engage in the programs. They don’t need stuff. They need people to help the participants to engage. They try to bring in nature loving families out there with them at programs to allow other people to be more confident and comfortable. Getting fully muddy is ok!
One of her favorite comments at an event for stargazing, that ended up being completely cloudy. They decided to just hike through the woods. Some of the kids were kind of scared because they had never been in the woods at night. There was a mother with two kids about 4 or 5 years old. The ground was a little uneven, the kids don’t have far to fall, so they don’t care. The mom was concerned about it, but the next day she emailed saying, “I never thought about taking my kids for a walk in the woods at night. The kids got home and fell right asleep. I’m going to do this every day.” That’s one of her favorite parts.
She likes to be in the woods near water. That can be anywhere. She likes to be somewhere that’s quiet but there’s something going on. In the woods, but near a pond, a wetland, a creek, whatever it might be.
Being mentors at events. Talking with people at events and helping them to explore nature. Showing up early to set up tables/tents, cooking. Staying late to help with tear down. The more volunteers the better. They always need funding. Paying for a volunteer coordinator to help with outreach.
175 people at an ice fishing event. Over the summer their fishing event gets about 300 people. They do the Rocking’ Rocks event where they partner with a quarry and 250-300 people show up.
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