By Justin Herrin-Knapp & Julianna Rubin
Speaking to approximately 100 attendees of the inaugural Adventure
U speaker series, presented by the Cleveland Metropsark Outdoor Recreation
Division in conjunction with the Baldwin Wallace University Recreation
Management Program, Helbig provided attendees of the event with a large dose of
his relentless enthusiasm and passion for getting all types and
ages of people to live an active lifestyle.
Tomfoolery Outdoors, Helbig said, is a playful company he
started in 2014 after the realization that he wanted more out of life. The
company’s mission is based on the premise that as humans we need to live an
active outdoor lifestyle while making a difference in
the world!
At the initial Adventure U speaker series, held at Brecksville Reservation own Sleephollow Golf Club, Helbig encouraged audience members to live a simple life and to find adventure through what he labeled as his “Four Types of Adventure” including solo adventures, local long distant adventures, destination adventures and adventure advocacy.
The first type, solo adventures, are simple individual-based outdoor adventures aimed at providing insight into one’s life. Fascinating stories about several close to home adventures on the Little and Greater Miami Rivers were provided as examples.
Second, Local
Long Distant Adventures, such as an extended holiday weekend hiking the
Appalachian Trail or biking the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley
National Park. Helbig regaled the audience with tales of his recent adventures
while kayak camping the Everglades National Park and his 18 day island to
island beach exploration using Fat Tire bikes to explore North Carolina’s outer
banks.
Third are Destination Adventures, like his upcoming trip to the Bahamas, where Helbig and friends will attempt the first circumnavigation of the Exum Island on stand-up paddle boards were also discussed.
Finally, Helbig encourages others to conduct Adventure Advocacy, with the purpose of getting other to use adventure to advocate for their favorite cause or project.
After discussing his “Four Types of Adventure,” Helbig regaled the audience with anecdotes and stories of his recent cross-country bike tour. During his 105 day, 4,300 mile journey, he incorporated working with Special Olympics in each state he crossed. Through this adventure he was able to connect with local individuals and raise awareness of Special Olympics as he crossed all of the Southern US states from California to the tip of the Florida Keys.
To end his talk, Helbig encouraged participants to live simple! He also discussed that adventure is more than just an end goal, it’s a journey.
At this kickoff event the audience of approximately 100 was able to take in Helbig’s enthusiasm, experience and advice, as well as participate in an adventure sharing activity, bicycle touring 101, and a campfire complete with s’mores.
The next Adventure U event is scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 16th at the Rocky River Nature Center where Mark Pecot, co-owner of 41 North Coastal Kayak Adventures, will discuss paddling the Erie Islands.
In addition to the
upcoming Adventure U event, Baldwin Wallace University is having a “garage
sale/gear swap” on Sat., Apr. 29th at
the Lou Higgins Recreation Center (136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea) where used gear
will be available, local adventure exhibits will be hosted, and there will be a
“Try It: Gear Repair” session.
You can also find more information about the Adventure U Speaker Series by visiting: http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/EventsProgramsCalendar/Adventure-University-Winter-Series-10382.aspx
For more information
on the Baldwin Wallace University Recreation program, please contact Asst.
Professor Dr. Jesse Jones at jjones@bw.edu.
Baldwin Wallace
University Recreation Management: Experiential Learning from Day One!
************************************************************************
For more information
about Adventure U, please contact
Dr. Jesse Jones
Assistant Professor of
Sport Management
440-826-2788
jjones@bw.edu
or
Andy
Hudak
Recreation
Specialist 1
Cleveland
Metroparks
216-341-1704
afh@clevlendmetroparks.com
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