The Adventure Summit - Virtual in 2021

Celebrate Outdoor Culture at the Adventure Summit

Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts typically converge on Dayton, Ohio: The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest for a weekend of outdoor skill, culture and experience. This year, join our presenters LIVE & ONLINE from wherever you are!

The Adventure Speaker Series is a production of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University. 

The 2021 Speaker Series includes 5 presentations by inspiring adventurers and 2 panel discussions. They will all be interactive in that you the viewer will be able ask questions and share comments with the presenter or panelist.

“Moving the Adventure Speaker Series to a virtual platform allows us to hear from speakers across the country and locally,” said MetroParks’ special events coordinator, Angela York. “These dynamic outdoor adventurers will challenge perspectives, from confronting personal limitations to how we can all pitch in to foster a welcoming, inclusive space in nature for everyone.”

All presentations will be produced with Microsoft Teams. You do not need to download or have an account to participate. The links to join will give you an option of joining via your browser.

The 2021 Adventure Speaker Series

March 11:  Pedaling Good Vibes Around America

In 2020, Tom Helbig finished traveling the perimeter for the U.S. on his bike. Starting in San Diego, Helbig cycled through Tijuana, Mexico; Key West, Florida; and beyond — all the way to Canada. Helbig set out on this expedition with a mission of spreading “good vibes” across the nation. During his presentation, Helbig will share inspiring stories about the people he met on his journey and the challenges he faced along the way.

March 18:  Turning Remote Work into Remote Adventures: Wander While You Work

This interactive panel discussion will provide insight into how ordinary people have leveraged their remote working situations into a work-adventure balance that takes them around the continent. Local small business owner Shannon Thomas, Wright State University student Tina Hohman, and full-time employee and traveler Amber Hayes will share stories, tips and more.

March 25:  Broken Pieces: Injury and Survival on the Oregon Desert Trail 

Accidents can happen on the trail, and Stacy Boone knows this better than most. Her knowledge of wilderness medicine and survival was the difference between life and death when she experienced a major injury while backpacking the Oregon Desert Trail. Boone, an experienced long-distance backpacker, shares her story and the survival mechanisms that should be considered by all recreationalists.

April 1:  Finding Your River

Ellen Flaterman shares her personal journey, relating experiences from her outdoor recreation expeditions across the world, from canoeing the Amazon Basin to a four-month cycling tour from England to Greece with her brother, Patrick. After his sudden death, Flaterman found motivation and solace in continuing her adventures rowing on some of the nation’s most impressive rivers. Hear about her next big adventure: solo rowing around the world.

April 8:  Tykes on Hikes: Adventuring with Kids of All Ages

Mom, life coach and founder of Color Outside, Nailah Blade Wylie provides parents and caretakers with everything they need to know to maintain a fun outdoor adventure lifestyle with little ones.

April 15:  The Adventure Color Gap: Diversity in the Great Outdoors

Tune in for candid discussions addressing concerns regarding barriers to entry, pathways to inclusion, challenges for BPIOC in the outdoors and a lack of representation in the outdoor industry. There also will be an opportunity to ask the panelists questions. 

April 22:  Setting a New World Record in Grand Canyon National Park

Dale “Greybeard” Sanders is back to share his latest accomplishment, becoming the Guinness World Record holder as the oldest person to complete the rigorous Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trail in Grand Canyon National Park. Sanders, 85, shares his motivations for this grueling expedition, as well as the challenges and rewards.