Ball Brothers back Hoosier Outdoor Experience

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation has received a $17,500 grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation to support the Hoosier Outdoor Experience, a free-to-the-public event at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, Sept. 18 and 19.

This is the second year the Ball Brothers Foundation has helped underwrite the event. During last year’s inaugural Hoosier Outdoor Experience, 13,300 children and adults got connected to Indiana’s great outdoors through hands-on opportunities to try more than 50 outdoors activities.

The Ball Brothers Foundation’s grant program focuses on six broad subject areas: education, arts, culture and humanities, human services, public/society benefit, health and environment. The Foundation, established in 1926 as an independent, private, family philanthropic organization, is an outgrowth of business successes of the five Ball brothers and their descendents.

“The Ball Brothers Foundation is excited to renew our investment in the Hoosier Outdoor Experience,” said Jud Fisher, executive director and COO of Ball Brothers Foundation. “This program brings together three priorities of the Ball family: education, health and the environment in a free, active, hands-on way. It’s a great program for Indiana and we are honored to be a part of it in 2010.”

Presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the Hoosier Outdoor Experience is an opportunity for aspiring outdoor enthusiasts to experience the range of recreational opportunities available across Indiana in an interactive fashion.

“Numerous studies demonstrate that interaction with nature has a positive impact on every stage of childhood development,” said Bourke Patton, executive director of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. “Thanks to the Ball Brothers Foundation’s support, the Hoosier Outdoor Experience will be able to share the great outdoors and environmental stewardship to people from across Indiana in an immersive, educating, inspiring and fun way.”

Learn more about the Hoosier Outdoor Experience at hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov.