UREC Outdoors, a program area within University Recreation, will host the fifth annual Arkansas Adventure Programming conference this weekend, April 15-17, at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper. The ARAP conference is a student-oriented programming weekend for individuals who want to connect with other outdoor education enthusiasts.

Past ARAP conferences have seen students from schools all around Arkansas, as well as universities from Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

This year's conference will feature two very special keynote speakers, Teresa Turk of the National Park Conservation Association and Gabriel Gray from the Fight to SOAR (Save Our American Rivers) project. Turk is a current Fellow for the Buffalo National River through the National Parks Conservation Association. Turk will share a brief advocacy message for the parks, the National Park Service Centennial celebration, and provide an introduction for the Fight to SOAR keynote address.

Gabriel Gray will speak of the SOAR project which will feature past stand-up paddleboard expeditions through some of American's wildest rivers and coasts. Through miles of paddling, hurricanes, wild animals, and environmental issues, Gabriel will discuss how his love for the outdoors has transformed him into becoming a better person and an outspoken advocate and messenger for our national rivers, parks, and coasts. Through these adventures and social media he hopes to inspire our youth to get outside, respect, and protect our nation's remaining wild places.

Past ARAP conferences have always had a great mix of interactive social opportunities and educational sessions, but keynote speakers of this caliber are a new feature.

"We wanted to provide something different to commemorate ARAP's fifth anniversary and the National Park Service Centennial celebration," said Michael Hoover, assistant director of UREC Outdoors.

"We think having Teresa and Gabriel speak to students about such important topics as our national parks and the environment will be a great celebration of this annual event."

For more information about the conference and other programs offered by UREC Outdoors, please visit the website at urec.uark.edu/outdoors/arap-conference.php