What’s the old saying – “Lurnin’ iz phun”? Well, learning really is fun when it helps you get more out of the outdoors.

One thing I love about our area is how people are always eager to help others discover the possibilities of outdoor play. That holds true with individuals, clubs and retailers. Check out the web pages of many of our outdoor stores, and you’ll find a variety of classes. Some of them are even free.

Dog lovers will want to sit and stay with “Hiking with Dogs” at 6 p.m. Monday at REI. You’ll learn lots that will make your adventures with Fido more rewarding. Another good session at REI next week is “Best Local Fall Hikes” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. That’ll probably draw a crowd.

Fishing enthusiasts looking for a new “angle” might want to visit the kayak fishing demo on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at The Cove at Concord Park, hosted by River Sports Outfitters. Serious backpackers can learn about back-country cooking practices at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Little River Trading Company.

The outdoors has its serious side as well. The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting “Wilderness First Aid Awareness” at 7 p.m. next Thursday at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Norris. On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation will hold “Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101” at 10 a.m. at the Blount County Library. Both events are free.

Other opportunities coming up:

  • Sept. 10 – At the Green Drinks meeting, DreamBikes Knoxville general manager Mitchell Connell will speak.
  • Sept. 13 – Keep Knoxville Beautiful will lead the West View Park Cleanup, and West View Elementary will grill hot dogs for participants afterward.
  • Sept. 14 – Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash 2019 hosted by Dancing Bear Lodge and Restaurant in Townsend will benefit the Bike Elf.
  • Sept. 14 – Sturgeonfest 2019 at Seven Islands State Birding Park gives you the chance to hand-release a live sturgeon, Tennessee’s largest freshwater fish.

Details on all these events and more can be found in the Outdoor Knoxville calendar.

Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to ensuring that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come.