HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (July 2026) — Black Kids Adventures continued its mission of connecting families with nature throughout June by participating in community events, leading outdoor experiences and partnering with organizations to make outdoor recreation more accessible across North Alabama.

Volunteer and Paddlesports Safety Leader, Denise Swain helps students learn about kayak and PFD safety at the Alabama A&M University 11th annual Forestry Fair

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From introducing adventurers to local parks and waterways to helping train future paddlesports leaders, the organization's summer outreach reflects its commitment to making the outdoors more welcoming, accessible and representative of the communities it serves.

Through three community outreach events, BKA directly engaged 304 children and adults with interactive activities designed to inspire outdoor exploration, introduce families to local adventure opportunities and encourage more time outside together.

At the Huntsville Housing Authority Family Fun Fest, BKA connected with 57 attendees through its interactive Adventure Wheel, encouraging families to discover new ways to explore the outdoors and learn about opportunities to hike, paddle, camp and explore together.

The organization also engaged 97 community members during the Outdoor Recreation Fair at The Orion Amphitheater, where the Adventure Wheel sparked conversations about local outdoor recreation, upcoming BKA programs and simple ways families can spend more time outside.

One of the summer's largest outreach efforts took place at the 11th Annual Forestry Fair, hosted by Alabama A&M University in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Society of American Foresters. The annual event welcomed more than 300 students  from area summer camps and was recognized as a Forests250 event, part of the nationwide America250 initiative promoting forest stewardship, conservation education and community engagement.

At its exhibit, Black Kids Adventures directly engaged 150 through hands-on outdoor education. Students explored a kayak, learned why properly wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is essential every time they're on the water, and discovered new ways to enjoy the outdoors through BKA's interactive Adventure Wheel.

Beyond teaching water safety, the exhibit inspired students to imagine their next outdoor adventure. After spinning the Adventure Wheel, one student excitedly shared that they wanted to sleep under the stars, while several others said they planned to visit the waterfall at Jones Valley Loop after learning about one of North Alabama's popular outdoor destinations.

Beyond community outreach, BKA continued creating opportunities for families to experience the outdoors firsthand through its family paddle programs while also helping develop future outdoor leaders.

Black Kids Adventures also helped develop the next generation of paddlesports leaders through its partnership with the Paddlesports Leadership Academy, (PLA), Presented by the Tennessee RiverLine, Outdoor Recreation Design Lab, and Black Kids Adventures, the four-day academy equips participants with the paddling, rescue, risk management and leadership skills needed to safely lead outdoor experiences in their own communities.

Executive Director Zenovia Stephens and George Stephens, a member of Black Kids Adventures' Board of Directors, served on the academy's instructional team while BKA Board Member Jamea Adams-Ginyard graduated as a member of the academy's 2026 cohort, reflecting the organization's commitment to developing leaders who expand access to safe, inclusive outdoor recreation.

BKA's growing impact is also reflected in the people who help carry out its mission. Community Engagement Representative Alyssa Peltier first connected with the organization as a participant, attending hikes, campouts and paddle boarding events with her family before volunteering and eventually joining the team.

"My family and I started out as participants with BKA, attending hikes, campouts and my personal favorite—paddleboarding events," Peltier said. "I wanted to give back to the beautiful community and volunteered for a few of their outdoor events and now here I am. This is an amazing and engaging role where I can represenrt the organization that shaped my love for the outdoors!."

As summer continues, Black Kids Adventures remains committed to creating welcoming opportunities that encourage families to explore, learn and adventure together while building confidence, curiosity and lifelong connections with the outdoors.

By the Numbers

• 304 people directly engaged through community outreach
• 3 community outreach events attended
• 57 attendees engaged at the Huntsville Housing Authority Family Fun Fest
• 97 community members engaged at the Outdoor Recreation Fair at The Orion
• 150 students engaged through hands-on outdoor education at the Alabama A&M Forestry Fair
• 3 organizations partnered to present the 2026 Paddlesports Leadership Academy

About Black Kids Adventures

Founded in 2020, Black Kids Adventures is a Huntsville, Alabama-based nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing, educating and empowering Black families through outdoor recreation. Through hiking, paddling, camping, education and community programming, the organization works to remove barriers to outdoor participation while helping families build confidence, strengthen relationships and develop lifelong connections with nature.

To learn more about upcoming programs, volunteer opportunities or ways to support Black Kids Adventures, visit www.blackkidsadventures.org and follow Black Kids Adventures on Facebook and Instagram.