The Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center in Eden will host the 10th Annual Get Outdoors Day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

This event encourages healthy, active outdoor fun and is free to attend, thanks to the Hazel Farm Property Foundation.

Exhibitors from local outdoor organizations, parks, and museums will team up at the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center to offer hands-on outdoor experiences for families. Prime goals of the day are reaching underserved populations and connecting our youth to nature. Kids can learn about archery, firearm safety, fishing, mountain biking, wildlife, kayaking, and more.

Parents can learn about organizations that help kids develop safe and healthy habits while exploring our great Delmarva outdoors. Participating organizations include:

• Archery with the Maryland Bowhunter’s Society, Eastern Shore Chapter.
• Fire Truck from the Allen Fire Department.
• Shooting Clays with the Wicomico County 4-H.
• Mountain Biking with the Eastern Shore International Mountain Biking Association and The Wheelhouse.
• Fishing with Hook, Line & Sinker.
• Watershed Model with the Wicomico Environmental Trust.
• Live Animals from the Salisbury Zoo and the Delmarva Discovery Center.
• Carving Display from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
• Kayaking with Salisbury University & Friends.
• S’mores with Boy Scout Troop 151.
• Bounce House with Courtesy of Salisbury.
• Hay Ride with Mr. Butch.

Free lunch, water and soft drinks will be offered to all and free drawstring backpacks will be provided to the first 400 kids. Sponsors of the event include the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, and Courtesy of Salisbury.

The Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center was the vision of Richard F. Hazel, Eastern Shore philanthropist and former president of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury. Hazel loved the outdoors. More importantly, he loved seeing kids connect with nature at his “farm” on Cooper Road in Eden.

An avid sportsman until his untimely passing in February 2008, Hazel spent much of his free time at his 500-plus-acre preserve. With his friends and family, he maintained the property as a haven for wildlife, including deer, turkeys and endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrels.

While he enjoyed his quiet mornings hunting alone on his farm, Hazel truly enjoyed lending the property to the Boy Scouts and youth groups for a variety of daytime activities and overnight camping experiences. The HODC is proud to carry on this tradition today.

For more information about the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center, please visit www.hazeloutdoors.org.