October 8th - Fiwygin Outdoors is in Saint Paul!

Apologies for the belated (and missed) posts.  We took some vacations, bought a house, etc... 

Fiwygin Outdoors next event is Saturday, October 8th at 9:30am.  We're mixing up the time a bit - in hopes some new folks can join us. 

Plan to meet at 9:30am at Indian Mounds Park (at the building on Mounds Boulevard and Earl Street).  Aside from taking a trek for about a mile, while checking out over 20 species of trees and 2,000 year old Indian Mounds...we will also be having a contest for "best fallen leaf."  We can't yet share what the winning prize will be, but rest assured it will be good! 

The weather is getting colder, so plan ahead and bring a sweater/jacket.  If you need cold weather clothes, let us know in advance and we will make sure you're covered....literally.  

Let us know if you have any questions.  If you've come to a Fiwygin Outdoors event before, we hope to see you again -- and please bring a friend!  If you haven't yet been to one of our events, there's no better time than this weekend to join us.  All our events are free, accessible, and all are welcome/encouraged to come -- especially those who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces (i.e. POC, LGBTQ people, people with limited income/resources/experience/mobility/etc...).  

Hope to see you this Saturday!  Please RSVP on Facebook (if you can), so we know how many snacks we should bring.  If you can't join us, but are spending time outdoors that day, post a photo of the best leaf you can find with the hashtag #FiwyginOutdoors to join the fun!   

See You August 6th at the Wildflower Garden!

Hello everyone!  Fiwygin Outdoors is happening this Saturday, August 6th at 1pm at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.  You can see the official facebook event HERE.  

We will be taking a stroll through the wildflower garden, with the potential of joining the Birding Basics class that starts at 1pm.  We will bring a pair of binoculars and a few books about birds and plants. Bring your own too if you have them. 

Kids, strollers and friends are encouraged and totally okay. No pets allowed unfortunately. There is no cost to attend the wildflower garden, but it is paid parking at the wildflower garden parking lot. Parking for 2 hours is probably $3-4.  We will have some money to help cover parking costs for those who would like to park near the entrance of the garden. 

If you want to park for free at the beach house (3200 Glenwood Avenue), plan to meet there at 12:30, and we can walk/skip/wheel our way over to the garden parking lot, which is less than a mile away and up hill. 

As always, Fiwygin Outdoors will provide snacks for everyone, and a prize for best #fiwyginoutdoors photo. Please bring a bottle of water so you don't get dehydrated. 

Let asha know if you have any questions.  Hope to see you on Saturday!  If you get lost, call 651.295.2773 and asha will try and help.  Don't forget to invite your friends!  All are welcome.  

Cheers! 

May 7th

Saturday, May 7th is just around the corner.  Why is this date important?  Because the weather should be better than last month, and it's about time to get together and have some fun outdoors, and it's the next Fiwygin Outdoors event,

Here are the details: 

Who: You.  Anyone, and everyone.  Especially the folks who have ever felt like they didn't belong outdoors, weren't welcome in outdoor spaces, or are afraid to spend time/be active outside.

What: Anything outdoors.  Want to run 5 miles?  Go for it!  Want to hike 100 meters?  Cool!  Want to ride a mountain bike or paddle a canoe?  Why not (we'll have 2 bikes, and 1 canoe to share -- bring yours too if you have one).  Want to sit on a bench and draw some of the beautiful wildlife?  Please do!  Have kids (or not) and want to play on the playground?  Why not?!  Want to go fishing?  Wirth Lake is right there (and if you're under 18 you don't need a fishing license).  Want to play volleyball or basketball?  Bring a ball and a few friends!  Interested in checking out the spring flowers at the wildflower garden?  You can - and we have a naturalist to serve as your guide.   

Where: Theodore Wirth Park - meet at the Beach House (3200 Glenwood).  

When: Noon on May 7th.

Why: Because spending time outdoors is good for the body, mind, and spirit.  And Fiwygin Outdoors is all about making spending time outside a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for all folks to thrive.  

Bonus: Whoever posts the best photo with the hashtag #FiwyginOutdoors on Saturday during the event - will win a copy of James Mills "The Adventure Gap -- Changing the Face of the Outdoors."  Snacks will be provided for all who attend.  

The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors

By James E. Mills

Hope to see you on Saturday, May 7th at noon.  All are welcome and encouraged to come exactly as they are.  

PS - If you are planning on watching the Kentucky Derby -- rest assured, it doesn't start until several hours after Fiwygin Outdoors.  You'll have time to do both! 

Inaugural "Fiwygin Outdoors" Event

This Saturday is the first ever Fiwygin Outdoors event! 

What is Fiwygin Outdoors?  Well, first of all, it's pronounced the same way you'd say "fusion" in English or "few-zhin" if you spelled it out phonetically.  Secondly, it's a concept/group in response to and in solidarity with all the people who have ever felt like they didn't belong or fit in outdoors.  A big part of the purpose of Fiwygin Outdoors is to eliminate the fears and barriers that folks have to getting outside, and making it fun, accessible, and welcoming to all people! 

Here are the details for our first ever event: 

Who: Anyone.  But especially those who don't usually feel comfortable or welcomed in the outdoors or outdoor activity.  Nervous about going to things like this alone?  Bring a friend!  

What: An hour (or more or less if you want) to play outside, alone or ideally with other people.  You can run, walk, play frisbee or football, fish, birdwatch, visit the wildflower garden and more!  There will also be a photo challenge, which will be explained the day of.

Where: Meet at the beach house on Glenwood at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.

When: Saturday, April 2 at noon.

Why:  Because there's a lot to do and see outside, and sometimes we don't always feel safe, comfortable, welcomed, or knowledgeable to do these things on our own. Saturday (and every event thereafter) will be a space/group that is intentionally welcoming and safe for you to come as you are, and enjoy yourself in whatever way makes sense to you.

As Fiwygin Outdoors grows in popularity/attendance, there will be opportunities for more activities, overnight trips, people to take on leadership or teaching roles, and for us to really get creative with what we do!  

Hope to see you on Saturday, April 2nd.  If you have questions, you can reach me at ashashoffner@gmail.com or shoot me a text message.  

PS Don't forget a water bottle!  I'll bring some snacks to share, but you may want to eat something before you arrive.  

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