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 11th 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 3 - PLEASE see schedule on below. All hikes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 noon.    P.O.P will meet on Wednesday and Thursday of each scheduled week. 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 704-984-8997 or  daniel.harkey@advocatehealth.org

P.O.P. 2026 Hiking Schedule - all hikes begin at 9:00am.  Participants should be picked up at 12 noon.

Week 1 - June 3, 4: 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 2 - June 10, 11:  Participants will meet in the parking/picnic area located just past the swimming pool.

Week 3 - June 17, 18:  Participants will meet in the parking area located at the Morrow Mountain boat launch and boat rental facility. 

Week 4 - June 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 5 - July 8, 9: Participants will meet in the parking area located at the Morrow Mountain boat launch and boat rental facility. 

Week 6 - July 15, 16: 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, Tuesday, July 21: Participants will meet in the Morrow Mountain State Park Office and Museum parking area. Pick up time this date is 12:00pm. There will not be a hike on Wednesday, or Thursday of this week 7.