The seeds for Adventure Crew were planted in 2012 when teachers at Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) asked the question: what would happen if we took students on an outdoor adventure? This notion was put to the test shortly after when a small group of local teens and teachers from Hughes High School decided to canoe down the Little Miami River for a five-mile float. It ended up having a long-lasting positive and profound effect on the students.
This led to the Adventure Crew, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, being officially founded in 2013. The organization is dedicated to connecting city teens in Greater Cincinnati with nature by engaging in outdoor adventures.
Adventure Crew now has free programs in 25 city schools within CPS and Northern Kentucky with a roster of nearly 900 teens in grades 6-12.
Each month, members take part in a different adventure activity. These include hiking, camping, skiing, biking, kayaking, zip lining and more.
“Our adventure locations often change from year-to-year in order to expose our Crew to different outdoor recreational areas and keep things fresh and appealing,” Executive Director, Kirsten MacDougal explains.
Kirsten shared some of Adventure Crew's favorite community events and teen outings that take place throughout the year.
To get involved and learn more, visit AdventureCrew.org.
Paddlefest 2022
The nation's largest paddling celebration with 2,000 participants traveling up to nine miles through downtown Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky in canoes, kayaks and other human-powered craft. This Adventure Crew program proceeds go to help fund future crew adventures.
08/06/22
Register now: OhioRiverPaddlefest.org
Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim
A 900-meter open water swim across the Ohio River and back. Participants in the Great Ohio River Swim include everyone from competitive athletes to recreational swimmers and more! The river is closed to all motorized traffic during the swim. The Coast Guard and local law enforcement provide on-water safety for the event. In addition, paddlers in kayaks are dispersed throughout the course for support.
08/28/22
Register now: GreatOhioRiverSwim.com
Crew Pathways Program
The Crew Pathways Program consists of smaller groups of teens from different levels of adventure challenges, outdoor education and green career experiences taking part in a unique adventure together. This summer marks the second year of the Crew Pathways Program and will be celebrated with a week-long camping and canoeing trip for Core Crew members in the Boundary Waters between Canada and the U.S.
For more on Crew Pathways: AdventureCrew.org
Kayaking the National Wild and Scenic Little Miami River
“This is an extremely popular annual adventure, and truly a rite of passage for our new Crew members every September,” Kirsten explains. “Most of our city’s teens have never even seen this river, much less paddled down it. Yet with the guidance of our outdoor staff and encouragement from their teachers and friends, they overcome their fears and in just one day their confidence grows by leaps and bounds.”
Loveland Canoe & Kayak: LovelandCanoe.com
Ice Skating
“Every December we skate at different rinks, but by far the most popular skating destination was the year we took hundreds of Crew members to WinterFest at Kings Island in Mason,” Kirsten tells us.
Winterfest Info: VisitKingsIsland.com/Events/Winterfest
