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Outdoors day a chance for all to savor nature
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FarkRAPID CITY — Ty Gerbracht’s day at Horsethief Lake is highlighted before it really begins. That’s because for Gerbracht, the annual Experience the Outdoors Day on Wednesday was for much more than the guests.
“I like watching people get off the buses,” she said. “It means a lot to me. It’s something that’s hard to describe with words. They remember us.”
Gerbracht, with the Black Hills National Forest and its campground concessionaire — Forest Recreation Management — hosted its fourth annual event.
About 200 adults with developmental disabilities were the guests of FRM and the Forest Service at an event to highlight the outdoor opportunities that can be found throughout the Black Hills National Forest.
Activities included free fishing, gold panning, interpretive hikes and programs, a visit from Smokey Bear, a cookout, face painting and wagon rides. Some cowboy poetry and singing took place during the wagon rides and lunch cookout. Lunch was by FRM for all attending.
Hiking on accessible trails and enjoying the outdoors in the forested setting along with great fishing in the lake have been past favorite highlights of the day.
“All our folks that come and participate, it’s special for us,” Gerbracht said.
The organizers also got something out of it. About 60 volunteers helped with the events.
“We got much more out of it than we put in,” Gerbracht said.
The events were a cooperative effort with help from the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department providing fishing poles and free fishing at the lake. Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial provided interpretative services and assisted with the activities.
“We have a lot of people working,” Gerbracht said. “It takes a team effort.”
According to FRM, the event has grown from 90 mentally and physically disabled participants during the first year, to about 250 guests this year.
Many of the guests attending the day circle it on their calendars months in advance.
“It will be Sept. 16 next year,” Gerbracht said, adding that the weather has been perfect each of the four times the event has been hosted.
Marla West, of Spearfish, fishes at Horsethief Lake on Wednesday as part of Experience the Outdoors Day. About 300 people with developmental disabilities took part in the outdoor activities. Activities included fishing, panning for gold and horse-drawn wagon rides. (Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff)
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