The first Marietta Civitan Outdoor Youth Day Saturday morning at Buckeye Park will offer area youth the chance to practice archery, fish and see some fun and slimy creatures.
Building off the success of the Fishing Derby Day held in June, organizers of Youth Day hope to foster in children aged 6-15 an appreciation for the outdoors.
"Kids have the Fishing Derby Day in June. We wanted to give them something in August," said Connie Grimes, a member of the Marietta Recreation Commission and Pioneer Ladies Civitan who helped plan both events.
Article Photos
Photo submitted by the Marietta Recreation Commission
Area children take part in this summer’s fishing derby at Buckeye Park in Marietta. Fishing is just one activity being offered Saturday during the first Outdoor Youth Day.
Registration for Outdoor Youth Day begins Saturday at 8 a.m., with scheduled activities beginning at 9 a.m.
Planned activities include archery, fishing, and bird watching. Participants can also expect to see snakes and reptiles as part of a lesson on area wildlife.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new archery course will begin at 10 a.m. Following the ceremony, participants are invited to enjoy hot dogs, chips, and cookies, courtesy of Marietta Civitan.
Fact Box
If You Go
- What: Marietta Civitan Outdoor Youth Day.
- When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
- Where: Buckeye Park, 113 Faye Ave.
- Cost: Free.
- Includes: T-shirts awarded to first 75 kids registered, 10 a.m. Mayor's dedication of archery course, free picnic lunch provided by Marietta Civitan, archery, fishing, bird watching, snakes and reptiles, public encouraged to bring own fishing poles and bait.
- For information: 373-1616.
The goal of the day is to get area children thinking about outdoor, active things they can be doing, said Susan Joyce, with Marietta's Public Facilities Department.
"We want to get them outside, doing something besides watching TV," Joyce said. She added that the event may be the last chance for kids to do something outside before school starts.
The event is being funded by a Step Outside grant aimed at getting children outdoors.
The Outdoor Youth Day event celebrates the completion of Buckeye Park's archery course. Construction of the course began last summer using a $10,000 grant from the Ohio Department of National Resources. Mayor Michael Mullen is expected to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and dedicate the course.
All members of the public will have access to the new archery course, said Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife officer Eric Bear. Two of the 10 targets will be available for use by schools as part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
"Warren Local and Fort Frye School Districts are part of NASP and have archery in gym classes. We're working on getting archery in Marietta schools," Bear said.
The archery course was designed for public use and Bear said he wants to make sure people can enjoy it for all long as possible.
"The archery course cost a lot of money to build and we ask that people help take care of it," said Bear. People are therefore asked to use only field point arrowheads and no broadheads.
While in the future people must provide their own equipment, all necessary archery equipment will be provided for Youth Day. However, those who intend to fish in the recently stocked pond should bring their own fishing poles and bait if they can.
"We have some to lend out if people don't have them but usually people have gear and tackle they like and will want to use," Bear said.
Organizers of the event say they are teeming with excitement for the debut of an event they are anxious to make a community tradition.
"It's a great opportunity for kids to get involved outside, in a day of learning and fun," Grimes said.
Outdoor Youth Day is sponsored by Marietta Civitan, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the City of Marietta, Bird Watcher's Digest, and Soil and Water Conservation.
