The weather seemed made to order Saturday as a handful of local teens donned life vests and paddled out to enjoy the blaze of fall colors surrounding Crooked Lake at Independence Oaks.
The event was the first for the Teens Outside Great Adventure, or T.O.G.A, a new club aimed at getting teens away from video games, computers and televisions’at least for a while’and into the great outdoors.
Although only a few students participated in Saturday’s excursion, each had an opportunity to lead the others in an exploration of the lake before the group spread out to soak up the sights, sounds and a bit of solitude.
When they reassembled, students had the opportunity to share observations.
‘It went really well for our first time out,? said Aaron Whatley, an instructor with Independence Township Parks and Recreation. ‘The kids were all raving about it, and they all said they planned to tell friends. We’re hoping the news will spread.?
Upcoming events include a Geocaching Turkey Run, set for Nov. 8 at Independence Oaks, as well as an Arctic Adventure in January and the Big Chill in March, both at Addison Oaks.
While winter events will depend on the weather, possibilities include snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, snow boating, snow hut building, winter dodgeball and more.
‘Anything we can do to promote the parks, we’re all for it,? said Whatley. ‘It’s important to start kids at a young age so they know these opportunities are available. Independence Township offers so many programs, but a lot of people don’t realize these great resources are out there.?
Whatley said the township’s parks and recreation department got involved after learning of the opportunity through Derenda Howard, an Oakland County recreation specialist.
T.O.G.A., at its roots, is facilitated by the county, and funded through a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association and the Outdoor Industry Association.
In addition to taking part in county-sponsored events, partnering communities’which currently include Wixom, Huntington Woods, Novi, and Oak Park and Independence Township–can also design their own outings.
‘I’d love to see the program get into the schools so we start to establish some local clubs,? Howard said, noting such a program is already in the works in Clarkston. ‘It’s harder for us, at the county level, to make an impact on so many teens, but there’s a real potential to engage them at the community level and get them excited about the outdoors.?
Wintertime recreational activities, she said, are especially important.
‘People in general become more sedentary in the winter,? Howard said. ‘I don’t think they want to go out in the cold, or they just don’t realize how much there is to do in winter.?
For more information and a complete list of events, check out the Oakland County website at www.oakgov.com/parksrec, call Derenda Howard at 248-858-1486 or email her at howardd@oakgov.com.
Call Independence Township Parks and Rec at 248-625-8223.