Experience the Outdoor Experience in Indiana, Sept. 15-16

The fourth annual Hoosier Outdoor Experience, which is free to all participants, rolls into Indianapolis’ Fort Harrison State Park this Saturday and Sunday.

With 20,000 or more expected, logistics are important, especially for first-timers. Keep your eye on Facebook.com/HoosierOutdoorExperience, which will host a question-and-answer session tomorrow, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m. EDT, and post updates throughout the week and the event.

During the Experience, roughly 50 outdoor activities will be offered. Parking, admission and activities are free. All activities take place in the state park’s spacious 1,700-acre wooded escape.

Activities ranging from archery and target shooting to mountain biking, fishing, paddling and more await participants.

The free fun runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and is presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. The goal is to introduce people to outdoor activities they may have never tried.

Online advance registration at HoosierOutdoorExperience.IN.gov is requested to assist with staffing and planning.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc. There are many divisions within the DNR and each has a specific role. The DNR is not only responsible for maintaining resource areas but also manages Indiana's fish and wildlife, reclaims coal mine ground, manages forested areas, aids in the management of wildlife on private lands, enforces Indiana's conservation laws, and many other duties not named here. According to the department's website, their mission is "to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education."