One of the many offerings during the monthly Woronoco Heights Outdoor Adventures program is a hike that explores the many facets of nature. (Submitted photo)
RUSSELL – Feel the need to get outside with the kids and shake off the winter blues? WHOA!, sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts of America, offers an outdoor family event Jan. 11 at the Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell.
WHOA! stands for Woronoco Heights Outdoor Adventures, and is open to the public. The day’s activities run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or any portion thereof. Families can come for the morning, the afternoon, or stay for the whole day.
This program is open to anyone ages five and up, Scout or not. The cost for a day’s activities is $10 for youth up to 9-years-old, and $15 for those 10 or older. There are also special rates for groups of 10 or more. More information is available on the website at wmascouting.org/WHOA.
Activities for all ages, some weather dependent, include blacksmithing, disc golf, escape rooms, geocaching, ice fishing, mountain biking or snow shoeing, photography, radio, snow shelters and welding. Boots or other sturdy shoes are recommended.
Soups, chowder, hot dogs, soda, chips, candy and ice cream are available for purchase during the day at the Trading Post.
“Our goal is to try to get people to enjoy the outdoors and especially things they may not have tried before,” said Steven Roberts, program director of the Western Mass Council.
Roberts said no affiliation with the scouts is required. He said people can come in at 9 a.m. or at noon, and leave whenever they want. The schedule is open, and people can try as many activities as they want to, or stay with the same one or two.
Roberts said attendance varies from month to month. December had the lowest participation, with about 20 people. In November, 170 people participated in WHOA!
The Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation is located at 310 Birch Hill Road in Russell. More information is available on the website at wmascouting.org/WHOA.
