A group of entrepreneurial folks in Grafton have launched a new outdoor recreation project that they hope will attract active visitors to their community.
This summer, The Adventure Club received a mini-grant from Try This WV to buy 6 kayaks for residents and visitors to use on the Tygart River in Grafton.
The Adventure Club is a new collaborative effort between Project HOP2E and All Aboard Grafton with help from Try This WV, West Virginia University Reed College of Media, WVU Extension, Taylor County Family Resource Network and the City of Grafton to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty and adventure opportunities Grafton has to offer.
The group is now recruiting volunteers to help with fundraising, to build boat ramps in the summer months, administer surveys throughout the community, reach out to youth groups in the area, coordinate leagues (i.e. youth and adult kayaking leagues), and anyone who just wants to get involved by helping brainstorm and implement ideas to move the club forward.
The group has a lot of other ideas on how they can expand outdoor recreation opportunities in Grafton, such as bike races, a hiking club, paintball, and fishing competitions. But they need more people to join their club who can help make these great ideas real.
Here’s what the folks organizing the club have to say: “For many years, we have heard there was nothing to do in Grafton or Taylor County. Now is the time to change that forever. We need your help. Together we can make a difference! We can change the future dynamics of our county and communities.”
To get involved with the club or to find out more information contact them at 304-709-0164 or TCAdventureClub@gmail.com
This is a great model for other communities looking to do something similar.
Step by step, West Virginians will cultivate healthier communities for themselves. You have the power and passion to be wildly successful, now let’s keep pushing forward. To quote Kate Long, Co-Director of Try This, “It’s up to us.”
Happy paddling!