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Raleigh County Parks and Recreation proposes free youth outdoor‑adventure partnership with middle schools
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff and partners asked the school board to allow a pilot middle‑school outdoor adventure program — including hiking, paddle boarding and mountain biking — intended to build engagement, address truancy, and provide workforce skills.
Raleigh County Parks and Recreation asked the board for permission to partner with middle‑school principals to pilot a Raleigh County Youth Outdoor Adventure Program that would offer free activities (hiking, stand‑up paddle boarding and mountain biking) and an in‑school curriculum option.
Molly Williams, who introduced the proposal, said partners include AmeriCorps, WVU Tech extension, 4‑H and the city of Beckley. "This program will also give these students skills that they can enter the workforce with within the outdoor industry," she said. Williams asked the board to allow principals and teachers to collaborate with program staff to tailor offerings.
Levi Moore presented a phased model: three weeks of skill and gear instruction followed by week four adventures (mountain biking, rock climbing, orienteering, and rafting). He said the program has attendance‑based incentives intended to tackle truancy and that the first two free events already ran with participants.
Administration did not vote on the partnership request during the meeting but received the materials staff provided; presenters asked for access to principals to begin planning. Board members suggested follow‑up to clarify logistics and scheduling with schools.
