New nature program launched here and in Philadelphia seeks to get minority and urban families hooked on outdoors.

When she hikes, bikes, camps, fishes and generally gets outdoors, Tarsha Scovens notices how few minorities are out there.

So the Philadelphia woman, who is black, along with her twin sister, Keisha Scovens, a speech therapist at Wickersham Elementary School in Lancaster, are doing something about it.

Beginning in August, weekly, year-round Let's Go Outdoors programs will be launched in Lancaster and Philadelphia.

The idea is to ease individuals and families -- particularly minorities and urban dwellers -- into outdoors pursuits by arming them with the skills and knowledge that will make them feel comfortable in the great outdoors.

"I don't think it's a lack of interest," says Tarsha Scovens, 36, who conceived of the business venture. "I believe it's just a matter of different populations being educated in the outdoors."

Her strategy: imbue parents with an appreciation for the outdoors and the know-how to not fear it.

Since studies show people who become nature lovers usually had that interest sparked by an introduction from parents, Scovens thinks hooking parents will result in lifelong family interest outside.

"It's so affordable to go outside," she says. "And it's just right there."

The Scovens sisters weren't dragged outside when they were growing up. Tarsha's interest wasn't piqued until she was a student at Virginia Wesleyan College.

She wanted to go places and didn't have much money. So she started camping and taking trips outdoors.

About a year ago, she felt a pang of regret when she noticed how few kids she would see outside when she traveled the streets of Philadelphia. All the kids, it seemed, were inside glued to Wii games and television.

"There's another whole world out there that they're not made aware of," she thought.

And when she went on her own outdoor journeys, it was glaring how few times she encountered other blacks and Hispanics despite the city's huge minority population and two huge urban parks, Fairmount Park and Pennypack Park.

Research bore out what seemed apparent to her: minorities have the lowest participation rate in outdoor recreation.

OK, she thought, what networks are out there to reverse the trend? She couldn't find any.

Then, after completing a course on entrepreneurial ventures at the Women's Business Development Center in Philadelphia, a thought struck her: Why not me?

She figured she had the skills: a master's degree in communication, 12 years of planning events -- currently as coordinator of alumni relations at Community College of Philadelphia -- and outdoor travel experience,

She came up with the Let's Go Outdoors name for the business and started planning an initial startup in Philadelphia.

Sister Keisha pointed out Lancaster had a large minority population as well, and suggested she spearhead a simultaneous venture there.

The first of what will be weekly, year-round Let's Go Outdoors sessions will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Lancaster Recreation Center, 525 Fairview Ave., in Lancaster.

All weekly events for the first year will be at that location. At the end of each month, there is an outdoors excursion to a park, lake, etc., to put to use the weekly training knowledge.

August's theme is "Streaming Adventures," and sessions will cover identifying local streams, water biology and inhabitants, stream protection groups and a summer stream stomp.

September's theme, "An Apple a Day...," centers around growing your own vegetables and fruit and ends with a pick-your-own outing. October's theme is "Tree-mendous Colors" and deals with trees. November dwells on hiking. The program will be membership-driven and is open to anyone. A three-month family membership for up to two adults and up to two children costs $100; for up to two adults and one child it's $85; for one adult, it's $45. Annual memberships are $350, $335 and $180, respectively. There also are nine-month plans available.

You don't have to be a member, however, to attend individual sessions. The cost is $5 per person per session.

To register or for more information, call tollfree 866-878-3595, or e-mail info@letsgooutdoors.net. The program's website is www.letsgooutdoors.net.

The Scovens sisters are eager to get going. They hope to boost the effort's success by signing up organizations such as community centers, schools, home-schooling organizations, housing communities and faith-based groups.

Tarsha thinks the project can become a model in the growing nationwide effort to reverse the trend of children disconnecting from nature.

She hopes to expand the prototype beginning in Philadelphia and Lancaster to other Pennsylvania cities.

"Once the parents can do it, the kids can see it and want to do it and there's more interest in the outdoors and lifelong activities," she says.

"That's what I want to do. I want to see kids outside in nature and not walk down the street and not see kids."

acrable@lnpnews.com