Outdoor Programs

What's Happening Now:

Join us for a guided outdoor trip, class or program.  Whatever you choose, get out and enjoy it! Check out the calendar of events. 

For active adults over 55+ check out these outdoor recreation events just for you!

Do you have a group that would like a private adventure or custom outdoor program? We can help - contact us!

GET HIKING! SERIES


Get hiking on local hikes around Burlington, Alamance County and beyond! Expect natural surface trails, rolling terrain with a few steep hills and a moderate pace. Wear comfortable walking shoes (closed-toed) or boots. Bring a water bottle, bug spray & sunscreen. Hikes generally last between 1.5-2 hours. All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Well mannered dogs also welcome!
Free, but registration required!

CANCELLED:
Saturday, December 8 at 2 pm
Haw River Trail - Longmeadow Trail Head
1120 Valley Dr. Graham | 3.5 miles
Register
*No restroom available at trailhead. Plan accordingly.
Christmas Hike Saturday 12/22 at 10 am
Cedarock Park - 4242 R. Dean Coleman Rd. Burlington | 3 miles
Register
During this hike, we'll be on the look out for Mistletoe, Christmas Fern, Runner Cedar and more!

NO-FRILLS TRAIL 5K Series


\'no 'frilz\ adj. 1. providing only the essentials; not fancy
Saturdays: November 10, December 8, January 12, February 9, and March 9.
Registration opens at 10:00 am. Race at 10:30 am 
Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina | 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett
Fee: $5/person age 16 and up; $2/person age 5-15 (must be accompanied by an participating adult). Fees collected on race day at registration.

The No-Frills Trail 5K is a series of trail runs (or hikes, walks or whatever speed you'd like). We just want people to get out, move and have a good time! Since this is not a fancy 5k, we’ll only be providing a well-marked 5K course and a clock so you can see your time as you finish. To make it a little more fun, each race will have a theme and you are encouraged to dress accordingly! 

Let us know you are coming by choosing "going" on the Facebook event page:
December 8 - Meowy Christmas
January 12 - Harry Potter
February 9 - 80's Throwback
March 9 - Pirates

So...
If you want a t-shirt – wear one!
If you need snacks – bring some!
If you want an award – too bad! 

NATURE PLAY


Nature Play programs are geared to get families outdoors in nature, learning, playing and having fun! Some of them include more education and some are purely fun! All ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by a participating adult. These programs are free or low cost, but space is limited for all programs and registration is required! 

  • GEOCACHING


    Wednesday, November 21 at 2:00 pm
    Free, but registration required. Register now!
    Civitan Shelter in Burlington City Park - on Overbrook Rd. across from the Park Restaurant
    All ages welcome, but most appropriate for ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

    Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants use a GPS device to navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates where a cache is hidden. After an introduction to geocaching and the GPS device, we'll head out and geocache around the Park. Plan on walking 2+ miles so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.

  • S'more Outdoors


    Saturday, January 12 from 2:00-3:00 pm (drop in any time)
    Fee: $1 for 2 s'mores. Registration opening soon!
    Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina- 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett 27377
    All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

    Come enjoy a winter day at the lake! Come play on the playground or walk the 1/2 mile nature trail and make a s'more over a fire! Drop in any time between 2-3 pm to join in the fun, but please register so we'll have plenty of s'more fixings for everyone! Dress warm, bring a camp chair and a s'more stick (or find one in the woods).

  • GEOCACHING

     
    Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 pm
    Free, but registration required. Registration opening soon.
    Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina- 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett 27377
    All ages welcome, but most appropriate for ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

    Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants use a GPS device to navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates where a cache is hidden. After an introduction to geocaching and the GPS device, we'll head out and geocache around the Park. Plan on walking 2+ miles so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.

Archery 


Basic Archery Instruction for Youth

See dates below
Fee: $5 per participant, all equipment will be provided. 
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina at the Clubhouse - 2704 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington
Ages: 9-16

Youth will go through a lesson promoting safety and archery basics encouraging a focus on performing a proper shot and the 11 steps of archery success through the NASP curriculum (http://naspschools.org/). 
Space is limited; all participants must pre-register and complete a registration form with liability waiver the day of the program.  Archery equipment will be provided so leave all personal archery equipment at home. Participants may bring a water bottle with their name on it and a healthy nut-free snack and wear  comfortable clothing, tennis shoes, and secure hair out of the face. Register online by clicking the links below or call (336) 229-3150 for more information.

Upcoming

Basic Archery Instruction for youth

Sessions: (please only sign up for one session)  
  • Friday, December 21, 2018 - Recurve Bow Session
    Ages: 9 – 12 • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
    Ages: 13 – 16 • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Register
  • Wednesday, April 24, 2019 - Compound Bow Session
    Ages: 9 – 12 • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Register
    Ages: 13 – 16 • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Register

Archery Practice Session


Thursday, April 25, 2019 • 9:00 am  - 12:00 pm
Fee: $5 per participant, all equipment will be provided. Register
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina at the Clubhouse • 2704 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington
Ages: 9 - 16 (Prerequisite: completion of “Basic Archery Instruction for Youth” with Burlington Recreation & Parks)

For youth who have already completed “Basic Archery Instruction for Youth” with Burlington Recreation & Parks, and want more! We welcome you back to the range for more hands-on archery time. Participants will review standard safety and range procedures then spend the majority of the time shooting and trying out fun archery games. Space is limited; all participants must pre-register and complete a registration form with liability waiver the day of the program. Archery equipment will be provided so please leave all personal archery equipment at home.  Participants may bring a water bottle with their name on it and a healthy nut-free snack.  Wear comfortable clothing, tennis shoes, and secure hair out of the face. Register now or call (336) 229-3150 for more information.

For more information on any of these programs, email or call the Outdoor Program Coordinator at (336) 222-5135.

Of all the paths you take, make sure a few of them are dirt.