2017 Annual Report

Community & regional support Community Events & Initiatives 1. SWVA Rocks a. Many communities in the US have engaged citizens in “Rock Hunts,” which is essentially a community wide scavenger hunt. Community members of all ages are involved with painting, hunting and re-hiding the rocks in their communities. So, where did it all begin? It seems that this has emerged from Kindness Rocks initiative, an initiative of painting words of encouragement on rocks and placing in spots for other to enjoy. The trend took off on social media. The once random act of kindness movement has now emerged into a cross country scavenger hunt! Many communities in SWVA have jumped on the Rocks initiative bandwagon and are using it as an opportunity to provide community wide engagement. SWVA works to help promote the outdoor initiative by recognizing these groups and working to promote activities in other communities. Project Start Date: July 2017 2. SWVA Outdoor Expo a. April 22nd, 2017 marked Southwest Virginia’s 3rd Outdoor Expo held at Bisset Park in Radford, VA . The Expo highlights Southwest Virginia’s natural assets and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the 19 counties. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts gather to learn about the opportunities and experience the outdoors. This year’s expo included a zipline and gear swap for outdoor recreationists to enjoy. Project Completion Date: April 2017 3. SWVA Race Series a. Coming soon in 2018, Southwest Virginia will host a race series. The race will not only focus on existing unique races in the region, but will also bring new opportunities for athletes to enjoy. The races will vary from 5k – ultras and participants who complete all will be rewarded. Project Start Date: 2018