2022 Hike for Kids - Saturday, October 22nd

Will you #TakeAHikeForKids with us this October? Register today, then join us on Saturday, October 22 for our 11th Annual Hike for Kids!

CLICK TO REGISTER NOW


SHARE ABOUT THE EVENT!

Scroll down to access our Hiker Tool Kit


By joining Hike for Kids on Saturday October 22nd, each step on the trail will help Blue Sky Fund make the outdoors more accessible for youth in Richmond, VA.

Participants can register for the event by visiting BlueSkyFund.org/HikeforKids.

Registration is $40 for adults, $15 for hikers for 17 & under, and free for those 3 & under. For those unable to attend in-person, participants can hike any trail of their choosing and join in on the fun remotely.

Why does joining Hike for Kids make a difference? Do you remember your first experience outdoors? What did it mean to you? For many of us at Blue Sky Fund, our first outdoors experience launched a lifetime of enjoyment. We want to be sure to give back to support others as they pursue outdoor experiences.

Due to historical exclusionary practices and policies, people of color have largely been left out of outdoor recreation spaces. At Blue Sky Fund, the majority of our students identify as youth of color and 79% come from under-resourced communities. Too often they do not have safe access to the green spaces around them.

At Blue Sky, we aim to change this narrative for the students we serve by creating outdoor connections for youth in the City of Richmond. Through resilience building, leadership development, and outdoor science education, we work to advance equity in the outdoors by developing diverse groups of environmental stewards and leaders in our community.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022

Event Times: 9:00AM to 4:30PM (Hiker Staggered Starts: 9AM to 12:30PM & Post-Hike Celebration: 1:30PM to 4:30PM)

Location: Virginia War Memorial - 621 S Belvidere St, Richmond, VA 23220

Registration Fees: $40 per adult and $15 per child

Event Website: Register here

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

First, a huge THANK YOU! By scrolling down to this toolkit you’ve already taken the first and biggest step. The goal of our Hike for Kids Toolkit is to make it super easy to rally your network to support our 2022 campaign.

Here are a few best practices to ensure success in your Hike for Kids journey whether you are fundraising or raising awareness.

Sample Messages: Utilize the messaging in this tool kit - just copy, paste, send! Seriously, it’s meant to be that simple. [Although adding a personal message is always a great touch!]

>>>Access a downloadable copy of 2022 Hike Tool Kit language here

Personal Story: Share with your network your WHY behind supporting Blue Sky Fund - here are some prompts

  • What was your first outdoors experience? What did you gain from it?

  • Have you volunteered with BSF? Share about it!

  • Favorite outdoor adventure? Include a photo from your own adventure and share the impact it made - your network will love the personal story and insight!

Use Photos: People love visuals that add to your message. Use your own or download ours like the one below (scroll down to see more options)

Share our posts on social media!

Other ideas?

Contact Diane Brown, email diane@blueskyfund.org or call (804) 410-4265

HIKE FOR KIDS TOOL KIT

Graphics - Facebook Posts

Graphics - Instagram Posts

Graphics - IG / FB Story Backgrounds

Text Message

Text 1: Short & Sweet

Hey]! Have I told you about Blue Sky Fund? If not, I would love to share more. Right now, I have signed up to participate in their Hike for Kids fundraiser to support their mission. Would you join me by signing up today at blueskyfund.org/hikeforkids?


Text 2 - Join Me / Donation Ask

Hey! Have I shared about Blue Sky Fund with you? I have signed up to participate in their Hike for Kids fundraiser to help connect RVA youth from low-income households to the outdoors. Through outdoor education and outdoor adventure, BSF’s programming leverages the positive impact of being in nature to help kids.

Would you join me by registering to hike on Saturday, October 22? Or donate to support my personal goal of raising $[add your goal here].

You can donate here [ add your link here ].


Text 2 - Social Media / Awareness Ask

Hey! Favor to ask - would you help me spread the word about Blue Sky Fund’s Hike for Kids? Blue Sky is a local nonprofit focused on connecting RVA youth from low-income households to the outdoors. Through outdoor education and outdoor adventure, BSF’s programming leverages the positive impact of being in nature to help kids.

While a donation is always welcome - so is sharing their posts! You can find them @BlueSkyFund on IG & FB or Blue Sky Fund on LI.


Social Media Post

I believe that all children deserve to learn, play and grow outside, which is why on Saturday, October 22, I plan to #TakeAHikeForKids to support Blue Sky Fund, a local Richmond nonprofit that connects youth to the outdoors.

Blue Sky provides over 42,000 hours of outdoor time for 2,300 Richmond youth, 79% of whom come from low-income households and a majority identify as youth of color. Through resilience building, leadership development, and outdoor science education, they work to advance equity in the outdoors by developing diverse groups of environmental stewards and leaders in our community.

You can help by choosing to #TakeAHikeForKids with me this October! Here is how…

🌿 Register to join in person or virtually at blueskyfund.org/hikeforkids

💙 Donate to my personal fundraising page [add link here or add link in bio]

🌟 Share about the event and tag @BlueSkyFund


Email

Dear ,

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the outdoors this summer!

As you know, I believe that all children deserve to learn, play and grow outside, which is why on Saturday, October 22, I plan to #TakeAHikeForKids to support Blue Sky Fund, a local Richmond nonprofit that provides transformational experiences for youth through outdoor education.

In fact, Blue Sky provides over 42,000 hours of outdoor time for 2,300 Richmond youth, 79% of whom come from low-income households and a majority identify as youth of color. Through resilience building, leadership development, and outdoor science education, they work to advance equity in the outdoors by developing diverse groups of environmental stewards and leaders in our community.

You can help by choosing to #TakeAHikeForKids with me this October! Here are a few ways to participate:

  • Register to join in person or virtually at blueskyfund.org/hikeforkids

  • Donate to my personal fundraising page [add link here]

  • Share about the event with your network by tagging @BlueSkyFund

Hope to see you on the trails!

Best,

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