Urban Ecology Center offers last-minute outdoor adventures for young adults
If you're looking for some spontaneity in the new year, the Urban Ecology Center has launched a new series of Pop-Up Excursions.
The events will be held once or twice a month around Milwaukee, and will be announced a few days in advance to take advantage of the weather. That might mean a sledding and bonfire outing after it snows, or a bike tour and visit to a brewery if there's a sunny day in the summer.
“A big part of the reason we started offering the Pop-Up Excursions is because we wanted to be able to take advantage of awesome natural happenings, in the moment,” Glenna Holstein, the UEC's membership manager, said via email. “For example, it's pretty challenging to schedule a skiing program in advance to fall on a day that has perfect snow. So when the perfect snow falls, we wanted to be able to take advantage of the moment and say, 'Let's go skiing!' "
“Plus, with the reality of the pandemclude: we know it can be challenging for folks to plan in advance, so this allows people to be spontaneous when they can,” she said.
Groups for the outings will be limited to 10 people or fewer. The events are aimed at people in their 20s and 30s, a demographic that Holstein said the UEC hasn't reached as well as they wanted to in the past. But the excursions are open to all ages, and you don't have to be a member of the UEC to participate.
Members do get 20% off tickets, which are available now on the UEC website and cost $25 per event or $100 for five tickets. Memberships cost $50 for an individual or $60 for a family and include access to the organization's gear lending program, which allows members to borrow everything from snowshoes and cross-country skis to bikes and kayaks for free.
Examples of possible adventures inic, An evening of sledding followed by a bonfire and warm drinks and treats.
Exploring the city on bike and enjoying a beer at a craft brewery after the ride.
Listening for owls on a snowshoe night hike.
Cross-country skiing at Three Bridges Park with treats at the end.
Kayaking the Milwaukee River from Lincoln Park to Riverside Park.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit urbanecologycenter.org.
Contact Chelsey Lewis at clewis @journalsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chelseylew and @Travel MJS and Facebook at Journal Sentinel Travel.