Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo: Adventure For All! | |
In mid-July, Great Parks hosted its annual Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, welcoming approximately 4,000 attendees to Winton Woods Harbor for two days of fishing, paddling, climbing, ziplining and so much more. For many, it was their first time trying these activities, and the excitement was contagious.
Beginning as part of Paddlefest in 2001, the Expo eventually found its home with Great Parks at Winton Woods in 2016. Since then, it has grown into a two-day extravaganza that inspires the next generation of adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
As the event continues to grow, we welcome volunteer groups and community partners to help make it a yearly success. Between the two action-packed days, we rely on volunteers to help our staff run stations, guide attendees and keep the fun going. With youth groups visiting from summer camps and recreation centers across Greater Cincinnati, the Expo also offers a unique opportunity for community reinvestment. Boasting a wide variety of activities, amenities and entertainment, it's an ideal setting for on-site sponsorship activations.
Longtime partners First Financial Bank and HILLS Properties have been with us at the Expo for years, and we're grateful for their continued support. They can attest - there is nothing quite like giving back while helping put smiles on kids' faces.
An official date for the 2026 Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo will be set soon (likely around mid-July again), and we invite you to join the fun! For volunteer opportunities, contact Joe Von Allmen, Volunteer Engagement Specialist. For sponsorship opportunities, contact LeAnne Anklan, Director of Donor Engagement.
| | Great Parks extends its gratitude to the sponsors and partners whose support was instrumental in making this year’s Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo a success. | |
Presenting Sponsor
Cincinnati MINI, Official Automotive Partner
Supporting Sponsors
FC Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati Soccer Zones Annual Partner
Charles H. Dater Foundation
Collaborating Sponsors
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,
Learning Adventure Zone Sponsor
Ameritas
Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures, Rafting Station Sponsor
Rural 1st, Fishing Derby Sponsor
Participating Sponsors
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio, Exhibiting Sponsor
Marathon Health, Food Trucks Sponsor
Cincinnati Metro, Transportation Partner
| | | Connecting with Colleagues: Team Building | | |
At the heart of successful organizations are strong, connected teams. Great Parks' adventure programs are designed to bring teams together through customized experiences that move beyond the typical team-building retreat.
Take, for example, a recent collaboration with the faculty and staff of Woodford Academy. Their team participated in a specially tailored program that balanced physical and mental challenges with built-in flexibility, including opportunities to rest and reflect. Rather than a one-size-fits-all, high-intensity session, this dynamic experience respected their needs while fostering collaboration, communication and problem-solving.
For groups looking to push boundaries and embrace the wild, immersive outdoor adventures like the Wilderness Survival Challenge are also available. These programs invite teams to step into nature, build shelters, start fires and navigate the elements together. It’s a hands-on way to develop leadership, resilience and trust in a setting just as thrilling as it is transformative.
Whether your team thrives on adrenaline or prefers a more introspective pace, Great Parks will design a program that aligns with your goals, abilities and culture. From trust-building exercises to creative problem-solving games, every activity is thoughtfully crafted to strengthen bonds and spark new ways of thinking without pushing beyond anyone's comfort zone.
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Why it works:
- Customizable formats: half-day, full-day or modular sessions
- Inclusive design: accessible for all mobility levels and energy preferences
- Real-world impact: skills that translate directly to the workplace, like communication, adaptability and leadership
- Adventure options: from calm collaboration to rugged survival, there's a challenge for every team
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Let's help your team reconnect, recharge and rediscover what makes them great.
For more information, contact Allison Cone, Adventure Coordinator at acone@greatparks.org or by phone at 513-521-2345.
| | Connecting with a Cause: Clean Sweep of the Great Miami | | |
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Great Parks is hosting one of many sites in a large-scale cleanup of the Great Miami River Watershed. Join us 9 a.m.-noon at the Shawnee Lookout river access point (1979 Brower Rd, North Bend, OH 45052) to remove litter from a beloved natural resource. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt. This opportunity is open to all ages, and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
If interested, contact Joe Von Allmen, Volunteer Engagement Specialist at jvonallmen@greatparks.org or by phone at 513-245-7471.
| | Connecting with Clients: Corporate Partnerships | | Sponsor Spotlight: Arcadis | | |
Great Parks is thankful for the ongoing support of Arcadis. This year, the organization was a supporter of our Protect Your Wild Earth Day celebration and lake cleanup event. Not only did they support our Volunteer Luncheon, but they also arrived early in the morning to help clean up around Winton Lake.
To learn how you or your group can make a similar contribution in support of a Great Parks series or event, contact LeAnne Anklan, Director of Donor Engagement, at lanklan@greatparks.org or by phone at 513-728-4517.
| | Team Building Spotlight: St. Elizabeth Healthcare Pharmacy Residents Build Bonds Outdoors | | |
Starting a new residency year can be both exciting and overwhelming. That’s why St. Elizabeth Healthcare has made a tradition of kicking off its Pharmacy Residency Program with a Great Parks team-building experience - giving new residents a chance to step away from a clinical setting and into a natural space that fosters connection, collaboration and confidence.
For the past few years, St. Elizabeth has partnered with Great Parks to design an experience that supports its onboarding goals, like building camaraderie, encouraging open communication and reinforcing the importance of asking for help - a vital skill in both healthcare and teamwork.
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