Passport Outdoor Program (P.O.P.)

Attention Stanly County families!! The Stanly Health Foundation and Atrium Health Stanly - Health Promotions are pleased to announce registration is open for the 9th Annual FREE Passport Outdoor Program (P.O.P.) hosted at Morrow Mountain State Park. Daniel Harkey, Passport to Health instructor, will lead P.O.P as participants explore the hiking trail system at Morrow Mountain. Although this program is primarily an exercise opportunity, participants will also discover many positive attributes to living an active lifestyle including healthy snack and lunch ideas. All participants will be provided with FREE healthy snacks during the hikes and a FREE healthy lunch after each hike. Participants are welcome to bring their own water and containers if they prefer, but FREE bottled water will also be provided to all participants.

P.O.P. will begin on Wednesday, June 12 - PLEASE see schedule on below. All hikes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 noon with the exception of the last hike on August 1st.  Participants should be picked up at 12:30pm ONLY on August 1st. P.O.P will meet on Wednesday and Thursday of each scheduled week. In order to accommodate all fitness levels, ages, etc., P.O.P. will be structured differently this year. Participants will have distance/intensity options to choose from and may hike each day or attend when its fits into their personal schedule. Our hope is that participants will be able to build endurance and confidence from any starting point at their fitness level. Participants are not required to adhere to an attendance requirement in order to participate. You can participate as much or as little as works for your family’s summer schedule.

Passport Outdoor Program is fully funded by Stanly Health Foundation and offered to all Stanly County public, private and home-school 4th and 5th grade students, and their families. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for all participants including adults via Passport Outdoor Program (P.O.P.) (runsignup.com). Children in grades lower than 4th grade may attend as well, but must be accompanied by a parent, or an adult guardian (grandparents, aunts/uncles, baby-sitter, etc.). Students in grades above 5th may also attend, but parents of these students are asked to contact Daniel Harkey, prior to registering their student.  

Thank you, we look forward to hiking with you this summer!

Daniel Harkey 980-323-4108 or  daniel.harkey@atriumhealth.org

P.O.P. 2023 Hiking Schedule - all hikes begin at 9:00am.  Participants should be picked up at 12 noon except on August 1st.

Week 1 - June 12, 13: Participants will meet in the Bridle Trail/Sugarloaf trail/ Horse trailer parking area. This parking area is located a ½ mile on the right after entering the main entrance of Morrow Mountain Sate Park. 

Week 2 - June 19, 20:  Participants will meet in the parking/picnic area located just past the swimming pool.

Week 3 - June 26, 27: Participants will meet in the parking area located at the Morrow Mountain boat launch and boat rental facility. 

Week 4 - July 10, 11: Participants will meet in the Bridle Trail/Sugarloaf trail/ Horse trailer parking area. This parking area is located a ½ mile on the right after entering the main entrance of Morrow Mountain State Park. 

Week 5 - July 17, 18: Participants will meet in the parking area located at the Morrow Mountain boat launch and boat rental facility. 

Week 6 - July 24, 25: Participants will meet in the Bridle Trail/Sugarloaf trail/ Horse trailer parking area. This parking area is located a ½ mile on the right after entering the main entrance of Morrow Mountain State Park. 

Week 7 - FINAL HIKE August 1: Participants will meet in the Morrow Mountain State Park Office and Museum parking area. Pick up time this date is 12:30pm. There will not be a hike on Wednesday, July 31 of this week 7.