2024 KDoR’s Frequently Asked Questions:
A few days before the event expect an email from [email protected] and/or text from (256) 887-4248. Please respond to confirm or cancel your reservation.
1. Who is putting this on? Friends of the Locust Fork River (FLFR) organizes this event with the vital help of partners such as Birmingham Canoe Club, Blount County Education Foundation and statewide environmental educators.
Main sponsors: Legacy Environmental Education, Regions Bank and Walmart Foundation.
2. How will this be organized? After checking in at the site, 10 to 15 children and their parents will gather in a group led by a shepherd (adult volunteer and guide). Throughout the day each group will attend 6 activity stations.
3. What will my kids do? You will visit activity stations where children will learn by doing something or experiencing nature in an active way such as finding tiny life forms in the river, safely handling turtles, doing art in nature, and learning basic kayak safety with the opportunity to paddle a kayak on their own; we provide kayaks, paddles and safety equipment for kids to use.
4. What age children should participate? 5 - 12
5. What if I have a child with special needs? Please email [email protected] and someone will contact you.
6. We want to come as a family. What about our younger children? This IS a family event. Although the activities are geared toward children in the 5 - 12, younger and older children may still enjoy the activities. The accompanying adults seem to have a pretty good time also.
7. What about our teens? Teens ages 14-17 may participate in our activities or be a volunteer. Teens 16 and older may prefer to be helpers in one of the stations. Send us an email if a teen wants to volunteer: ellen@flfral.com
8. Can we drop off our kids and leave? No! Parents, guardians or scout leaders must stay with the children at all times.
9. What’s the parents’ role in this? Parents will travel in the group and learn along with the children. Parents must keep any children below age 5 with them at all times as there will not be activities for this age group. Although we make provisions to monitor the water and rocks for safety, parents and scout leaders are ultimately responsible for keeping up with all the children they bring, and for maintaining discipline.
10. Can we just drop-in at any time during the day? No. This is an all day event, please arrive on time to enjoy all the activities.
11. When should we arrive and when will it be over? Plan to arrive by 8:30 a.m. The program will start promptly then. Kids' Day on the River ends around 2:30 pm.
12. Why do we need to register ahead of time? Registration is REQUIRED to attend the event for adults to sign a waiver, and to determine how much lunch we will serve, how many volunteers are needed, etc.
13. Is there a cost to attend? No, Kids’ Day on the River is a gift to the children of Blount County by the Friends of the Locust Fork River and all its partners. It’s all FREE, lunch included.
14. What should my children wear? Old clothes, or a bathing-suit under their shorts, and hats and flip-flops, water shoes or shoes that can get wet and very dirty. Shoes that protect feet while being in the water and on rocks are important. Bring a life-jacket to use in the swimming station and a towel and a set of dry clothes to change into at the end of the day. They will be in the water at least 3 times.
15. What food and drinks will be provided? A simple lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and water will be available for all, including parents and volunteers. There is also a vegetarian/gluten free option. Children and parents will be encouraged to stay with their groups during lunch. Drinking water is available all day. Feel free to bring a reusable water bottle with you and refill as needed from our water coolers!
16. What about safety and first aid? We do everything possible to keep the children safe. Should there be a scratch or bump, please see the EMT vehicle. Parents or scout leaders are ultimately responsible for keeping up with the children they bring & adults should not allow them to run around on the rocks recklessly.
17. Can we bring pets or hand-held electronics? No dogs or pets! Except Service dogs. Absolutely NO cell phones or electronics with the children. Of course adults may bring cell phones for emergencies.
18. What else should we bring? Sunscreen. A hat and a comfy folding chair for the adults in your family may be a good idea too!
19. Take photos, short videos and post on FLFR Friends Group on FB, and plan to enter them on FLFR's Art, Photo, Video & Poetry Contest before June 30th.
20. Do I need to bring any money? No money is necessary. However, you may want to bring cash or a check to purchase books, native plants, t-shirts, or hats, or even make a contribution to ‘Friends of the Locust Fork River’.
21. Can parents or scout leaders also volunteer? Yes! We always need more volunteers. Email [email protected] or check in at the registration table to let them know you are available during some part of the day to volunteer.
22. What if the weather is bad? Should the event need to be canceled due to bad weather, this will be posted on our website and our Facebook & Instagram pages as soon as the decision is made. The event will occur with light rain. Please check online if you are unsure.
23. Is smoking allowed? No. Give your lungs a day off. Thank you for your consideration.
24. What if I need to cancel? Please, please text: (205)237-0757 to let us know!
Please email [email protected] with any other questions!
FLFR is inclusive of all members of the community in our activities and events.
A few days before the event expect an email from [email protected] and/or text from (256) 887-4248. Please respond to confirm or cancel your reservation.
1. Who is putting this on? Friends of the Locust Fork River (FLFR) organizes this event with the vital help of partners such as Birmingham Canoe Club, Blount County Education Foundation and statewide environmental educators.
Main sponsors: Legacy Environmental Education, Regions Bank and Walmart Foundation.
2. How will this be organized? After checking in at the site, 10 to 15 children and their parents will gather in a group led by a shepherd (adult volunteer and guide). Throughout the day each group will attend 6 activity stations.
3. What will my kids do? You will visit activity stations where children will learn by doing something or experiencing nature in an active way such as finding tiny life forms in the river, safely handling turtles, doing art in nature, and learning basic kayak safety with the opportunity to paddle a kayak on their own; we provide kayaks, paddles and safety equipment for kids to use.
4. What age children should participate? 5 - 12
5. What if I have a child with special needs? Please email [email protected] and someone will contact you.
6. We want to come as a family. What about our younger children? This IS a family event. Although the activities are geared toward children in the 5 - 12, younger and older children may still enjoy the activities. The accompanying adults seem to have a pretty good time also.
7. What about our teens? Teens ages 14-17 may participate in our activities or be a volunteer. Teens 16 and older may prefer to be helpers in one of the stations. Send us an email if a teen wants to volunteer: ellen@flfral.com
8. Can we drop off our kids and leave? No! Parents, guardians or scout leaders must stay with the children at all times.
9. What’s the parents’ role in this? Parents will travel in the group and learn along with the children. Parents must keep any children below age 5 with them at all times as there will not be activities for this age group. Although we make provisions to monitor the water and rocks for safety, parents and scout leaders are ultimately responsible for keeping up with all the children they bring, and for maintaining discipline.
10. Can we just drop-in at any time during the day? No. This is an all day event, please arrive on time to enjoy all the activities.
11. When should we arrive and when will it be over? Plan to arrive by 8:30 a.m. The program will start promptly then. Kids' Day on the River ends around 2:30 pm.
12. Why do we need to register ahead of time? Registration is REQUIRED to attend the event for adults to sign a waiver, and to determine how much lunch we will serve, how many volunteers are needed, etc.
13. Is there a cost to attend? No, Kids’ Day on the River is a gift to the children of Blount County by the Friends of the Locust Fork River and all its partners. It’s all FREE, lunch included.
14. What should my children wear? Old clothes, or a bathing-suit under their shorts, and hats and flip-flops, water shoes or shoes that can get wet and very dirty. Shoes that protect feet while being in the water and on rocks are important. Bring a life-jacket to use in the swimming station and a towel and a set of dry clothes to change into at the end of the day. They will be in the water at least 3 times.
15. What food and drinks will be provided? A simple lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and water will be available for all, including parents and volunteers. There is also a vegetarian/gluten free option. Children and parents will be encouraged to stay with their groups during lunch. Drinking water is available all day. Feel free to bring a reusable water bottle with you and refill as needed from our water coolers!
16. What about safety and first aid? We do everything possible to keep the children safe. Should there be a scratch or bump, please see the EMT vehicle. Parents or scout leaders are ultimately responsible for keeping up with the children they bring & adults should not allow them to run around on the rocks recklessly.
17. Can we bring pets or hand-held electronics? No dogs or pets! Except Service dogs. Absolutely NO cell phones or electronics with the children. Of course adults may bring cell phones for emergencies.
18. What else should we bring? Sunscreen. A hat and a comfy folding chair for the adults in your family may be a good idea too!
19. Take photos, short videos and post on FLFR Friends Group on FB, and plan to enter them on FLFR's Art, Photo, Video & Poetry Contest before June 30th.
20. Do I need to bring any money? No money is necessary. However, you may want to bring cash or a check to purchase books, native plants, t-shirts, or hats, or even make a contribution to ‘Friends of the Locust Fork River’.
21. Can parents or scout leaders also volunteer? Yes! We always need more volunteers. Email [email protected] or check in at the registration table to let them know you are available during some part of the day to volunteer.
22. What if the weather is bad? Should the event need to be canceled due to bad weather, this will be posted on our website and our Facebook & Instagram pages as soon as the decision is made. The event will occur with light rain. Please check online if you are unsure.
23. Is smoking allowed? No. Give your lungs a day off. Thank you for your consideration.
24. What if I need to cancel? Please, please text: (205)237-0757 to let us know!
Please email [email protected] with any other questions!
FLFR is inclusive of all members of the community in our activities and events.
