Benton Parks and Recreation has announced its 2026 Outdoor Adventurers program, a youth initiative designed to engage local youth in outdoor education and experiences throughout the year. In partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Saline River Canoe, the program will offer a variety of classes, camps, and recreational activities aimed at building outdoor skills and appreciation for nature.

Read more below.

The program is open to youth ages 9 to 16, with registration open until March 6. A parent meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Gene Moss Building. The participation fee is $35 per student.

As part of the curriculum, participants can take part in events such as fishing camps, a kayaking day camp, youth archery, and boater and hunter education. Other sessions include game-calling, game cooking, wildlife and habitats, and a Hooked on Outdoors Fishing Derby, which is free and open to all ages on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sunset Lake.

Several of the classes are offered at no cost, including Compass Orientating (May 12), Alternative Fishing (June 15), and various educational seminars like Game Calling (October 6) and Game Cooking (November 10).

Each participating youth will be provided with a unique Skills Patch upon completion of each event, as part of the Arkansas Game & Fish Outdoors Skills Program. Those patches can be displayed on a vest provided by Benton Parks, turning each learning opportunity into a badge of honor.

Program contact is Daniel Torchinsky, who can be reached at 501-860-9752 or via email at [email protected] for registration or additional details.

The initiative reflects Benton Parks and Recreation’s mission to foster outdoor learning and promote conservation awareness among youth in the community. For a full schedule and more details, visit SalineRiverCanoe.com or connect with Benton Parks on social media.

Browse MySaline’s list of all the events in Saline County at www.mysaline.com/events.