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HIKRZ Jamboree

November 6, 2010
Usery Mountain Regional Park
Mesa, Arizona

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Our first annual outdoor festival, presented by GoDaddy.com and conducted by the KNTR HIKRZ (Hikers Inspiring Kids to Read Zealously), celebrated literacy, physical fitness, and appreciation for our natural environment, all with a focus on kids.

Photographs © Bruce Matsunaga & Denise Gary

Click on any image to view a larger version.

Welcome to the Kids Need to Read HIKRZ Jamboree, presented by GoDaddy.com!Welcome to the Kids Need to Read HIKRZ Jamboree, presented by GoDaddy.com! Early Morning at Usery Mountain Regional ParkEarly Morning at Usery Mountain Regional Park Pass MountainPass Mountain Participants received a backpack filled with trail snacks and other goodies!Participants received a backpack filled with trail snacks and other goodies! Volunteers arrange free books for the kids, provided by Changing Hands Bookstore.Volunteers arrange free books for the kids, provided by Changing Hands Bookstore. HIGHLIGHTS and HIGHLIGHTS HIGH FIVE magazines were included in every backpack.HIGHLIGHTS and HIGHLIGHTS HIGH FIVE magazines were included in every backpack. Apples from Whole Foods Chandler and CHIPPER Sunscreen from IAGmediaApples from Whole Foods Chandler and CHIPPER Sunscreen from IAGmedia Coffee kept the volunteers warm as they set up the staging area.Coffee kept the volunteers warm as they set up the staging area. Registration and BooksRegistration and Books James Blasingame, Peter Goggin, and author PJ Haarsma arrive.James Blasingame, Peter Goggin, and author PJ Haarsma arrive. KNTR Chairman James Blasingame, Executive Director Denise Gary, and Founder PJ HaarsmaKNTR Chairman James Blasingame, Executive Director Denise Gary, and Founder PJ Haarsma PJ verifies the existence of Steve Gary.PJ verifies the existence of Steve Gary. Denise greets author Tom Leveen.Denise greets author Tom Leveen. Peter and Jim register.Peter and Jim register. Storytellers Doris Newton and Charles Newton peruse the selections.Storytellers Doris Newton and Charles Newton peruse the selections. Participants arrive.Participants arrive. Which book to choose?Which book to choose? Cindy's Bun Busters served gourmet hot dogs.Cindy's Bun Busters served gourmet hot dogs. No cattle car for the Chick-fil-A cow!No cattle car for the Chick-fil-A cow! Attendees got to spin the Chick-fil-A prize wheel . . .Attendees got to spin the Chick-fil-A prize wheel . . . . . . and hug the cow!. . . and hug the cow! Jamba Juice offered cold smoothies.Jamba Juice offered cold smoothies. Haarsma-thon and Leveen Party-thon participants take off on their hike.Haarsma-thon and Leveen Party-thon participants take off on their hike. Michael Emerson (left) served as trail guide.Michael Emerson (left) served as trail guide. PJ Haarsma, Tom & Joy Leveen, and Robert Tabb grab their last bit of shade.PJ Haarsma, Tom & Joy Leveen, and Robert Tabb grab their last bit of shade. Man or mountain goat?Man or mountain goat? PJ meets a Saguaro cactus.PJ meets a Saguaro cactus. Jim leads the way up Pass Mountain.Jim leads the way up Pass Mountain. The group arrives at Wind Cave near the top of the mountain.The group arrives at Wind Cave near the top of the mountain. The view from the top.The view from the top. The Accident!The Accident! Robert Tabb, who was videotaping the hike, makes it to the top!Robert Tabb, who was videotaping the hike, makes it to the top! Another group of Jamboree hikers conquer the mountain.Another group of Jamboree hikers conquer the mountain. The youngest Jamboree hiker passes the first group on their way down.The youngest Jamboree hiker passes the first group on their way down. A mountain sign points the way to Phoenix.A mountain sign points the way to Phoenix. Storyteller Doris Newton was spellbinding.Storyteller Doris Newton was spellbinding. Musician and storyteller Charles Newton enthralled the kids.Musician and storyteller Charles Newton enthralled the kids. Kids gather for Ranger B's Desert CSI trail walk.Kids gather for Ranger B's Desert CSI trail walk. Author Janette Rallison arrived in full faerie costume for her presentation.Author Janette Rallison arrived in full faerie costume for her presentation. Janette followed her program with faerie face painting.Janette followed her program with faerie face painting. Janette was assisted by her daughter Faith.Janette was assisted by her daughter Faith. KNTR volunteers Krista Bricker and Nacole Vickory demonstrated Poi spinning.KNTR volunteers Krista Bricker and Nacole Vickory demonstrated Poi spinning. We were honored to host Joan Jasso, storyteller from the Heard Museum.We were honored to host Joan Jasso, storyteller from the Heard Museum. Gathering to visit in the shade.Gathering to visit in the shade. There were puppies to hold!There were puppies to hold! Author/illustrator Steven Riley once again presents his hilarious and highly entertaining program for KNTR.Author/illustrator Steven Riley once again presents his hilarious and highly entertaining program for KNTR. Does this hurt?Does this hurt? Denise interviews PJ.Denise interviews PJ. Classic PJ Hair Sweep!Classic PJ Hair Sweep! Musician Paul Knight entertained, including some Browncoat favorites.Musician Paul Knight entertained, including some Browncoat favorites. Rhiannon earned a KNTR cap by gathering over $300 in hike pledges.Rhiannon earned a KNTR cap by gathering over $300 in hike pledges. Rhiannon reads her message to Denise.Rhiannon reads her message to Denise. Sean enjoys his book. Sean enjoys his book. Animated author Brooke Bessesen entertains with Zachary Z. Packrat.Animated author Brooke Bessesen entertains with Zachary Z. Packrat. Robert Tabb talks tech with Big Brain Pictures videographer, Dominic Ross.Robert Tabb talks tech with Big Brain Pictures videographer, Dominic Ross. Furtive?Furtive? The Joy of a New Book!The Joy of a New Book! Denise gives Brooke a special KNTR Book Band Marker.Denise gives Brooke a special KNTR Book Band Marker. What is a KNTR event without Dr Pepper?What is a KNTR event without Dr Pepper? Barnes & Noble CRM Sibley Giles, who kindly volunteered at the Jamboree, hands Brooke a book for signing.Barnes & Noble CRM Sibley Giles, who kindly volunteered at the Jamboree, hands Brooke a book for signing. Denise interviews Steven Riley.Denise interviews Steven Riley. Striking a pose?Striking a pose? Steven performs his famous Faerie Dance!Steven performs his famous Faerie Dance! Author/illustrator Chris Gall's program focused on drawing.Author/illustrator Chris Gall's program focused on drawing. Denise interviews Brooke.Denise interviews Brooke. KNTR Development Director Debbie Brown gets the prizes ready for the grand giveaway.KNTR Development Director Debbie Brown gets the prizes ready for the grand giveaway. Denise admires an adorable hat donated by REI.Denise admires an adorable hat donated by REI. All children in attendance received prizes.All children in attendance received prizes. Rhiannon demonstrates how many miles she walked.Rhiannon demonstrates how many miles she walked. Rhiannon gets her hoped-for monkey blanket, handmade by a KNTR supporter.Rhiannon gets her hoped-for monkey blanket, handmade by a KNTR supporter. Denise has fun with a prize from Wild Birds Unlimited.Denise has fun with a prize from Wild Birds Unlimited. This little boy was thrilled to win an REI hydration pack just like his dad's!This little boy was thrilled to win an REI hydration pack just like his dad's! Best Buy Audio PackageBest Buy Audio Package Target Camping PackageTarget Camping Package Target Camping PackageTarget Camping Package Best Buy Audio PackageBest Buy Audio Package Every prize came with a book.Every prize came with a book. Target Tent PackageTarget Tent Package KNTR volunteer Melissa Tope says “Yes” to books!KNTR volunteer Melissa Tope says “Yes” to books! Denise thanks Steven with a Book Band Marker.Denise thanks Steven with a Book Band Marker. The camera brings out Peyton's playfulness.The camera brings out Peyton's playfulness. Artist Bonnie Lou Coleman leads an art project.Artist Bonnie Lou Coleman leads an art project. Denise displays the Book Band Markers made especially for KNTR with our logo.Denise displays the Book Band Markers made especially for KNTR with our logo. What a wonderful day!What a wonderful day!

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