Check out our NEW Adventure Directory! Learn about adventures right here in Northeast Ohio. Learn more here.
Kara Lapso
Oct 1, 2026
Yesterday we posted a series of photos with the text "adventure is political" as a way to remind people to check their voter registration before the deadline on October 5.
Hi friends! Here we are again — another month another newsletter. Yesterday we posted a series of photos with the text "adventure is political" as a way to remind people to check their voter registration before the deadline on October 5.
With thousands of acres of Wayne National Forest being leased to five out-of-state energy companies, data center permits popping up all over, plastic pollution in East Akron, the Endangered Species Act being slashed, and so much more, we want to remind you to CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION (and creep your friends', fam, coworkers' registrations to make sure they're still registered)!! And get out and vote this year like the Earth depends on it. Check registration here.
Support Carrot Cash at the Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market In addition to voting, I urge you to send a few dollars over to beloved Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market. Every week, families of all backgrounds come to Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market and receive to help fill their baskets with fresh fruits and vegetables. Since January, CVFM has distributed over $17,000 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables through their various Carrot Cash programs. This not only helps local families stock their fridges but it also helps boost sales of our local farmers. But the carrot cash money is running out. At the current pace of distribution, this program will run out of funds by the end of the outdoor season.
That’s where they need YOUR help. Please consider the gift of fresh, nutritious food by supporting their Carrot Cash programs. It is no secret that high quality food is directly related to health, academic success in children, and overall quality of life. Donate here.
2027 NEO Adventure Fest Vendor Applications are OPEN!!! It feels like we just had our 2026 event and we've already started planning and scheming for 2027!! Save the date for May 15, 2027 and if you're an outdoor biz, organization, walking group, run club, conservation org, sewer district, and you have something you want to share with NE Ohio's outdoor community, this is your chance! Register to be a vendor before we fill up!
Share with us how OTC has impacted your business Pop onto this form and share any business connections you've made because of the work of OTC. Did you connect with another business at last year's NEOAF? Have you formed collaborations because of our work? Have you considered inclusivity in your business because of our work? Let us know! THANK YOU!
SURVEY PLEASE As always, I have been very bad at sending post-event emails. I love yall and appreciate yall so much. If you've attended anyyyyy adventure lately/ever, please take a few moments to fill out this survey so we can get some funding and learn from your experiences! THANK YOU! |
NEO ADVENTURE DIRECTORY! We'd love to get the NEO Adventure Directory into schools, scouts, and HR departments this fall! Do you work with a large group of people? Reach out! We'd love to get you hooked up with NEO Adventure Directory flyers, magnets, etc. to help get your people outside.
Alsoo please reach out to kara@opentrailcollective.org if you want to join the directory, sponsor the directory, or if you have a group with whom you want to share the directory! |
Upcoming OTC Adventures — JOIN US!
Stay tuned for additional adventures! Got an adventure idea? Let us know! Adventure updates are posted on our Instagram, Facebook, and event page on our website. Please remember to register in advance. |
Community Highlights Fun on the Farm: All Abilities Fall Fest at Crown Point Ecology Center (10/3) Built with the whole community in mind, this Fall-themed event is adapted to ensure all community member can join in the fun especially individuals and families navigating autism, sensory processing differences, physical disabilities, and other support needs. This is a day designed around you, not one you have to adapt yourself to fit into. Learn more here.
Join YouBloom LLC for several events coming up in October:
Cuyahoga Valley Fall Festival (10/10) — Now in its second year, the Cuyahoga Valley Fall Festival is a free autumn afternoon on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Cuyahoga Valley Adventures, 1570 Akron Peninsula Rd. in Akron's Merriman Valley. Visitors can expect a hayride with the Hudson Haunted House, a live helicopter landing, trunk-or-treating, face painting, games, pickleball and local food trucks. Learn more here.
Paddle the River / Cuyahoga Valley Adventures GEAR SWAP AND SALE (10/11)! Learn more here!
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market (all season long)— Visit this farmers market year round, rain or shine, every Saturday located in the Scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With loads of vendors selling fresh and local fruits, veggies, meats, breads, desserts and more, it's the perfect place to stock up on everything you need for the week. And being that it's located in the middle of our national park, it is the perfect place to fuel up before a morning adventure or grab a snack afterwards. They constantly have live music, cultural events, food demos and more! Check out their robust list of vendors and programs here.
NEO ORIENTEERING - If you would like to try orienteering, we have three events coming up: (we give instruction at each event for beginners - solo, teams and family groups welcome). Details at Upcoming Events
NOLS Wilderness First Aid Course at Climb Youngstown (1/9-1/10) — Prepare for the unexpected with this engaging, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, taught over two days. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you. Learn more here
Have a job posting or community event you'd like to share? Submit it here! |
As always, if you want to support more adventure in our amazing community, you can make a tax deductible donation here. We appreciate your support SO MUCH!
Thanks for being a member of our awesome community! Seriously so thankful for each and every one of you.
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