Free, family-friendly, and just a short drive from anywhere in the Times News coverage area - that's Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley, May 30 and 31 at SteelStacks.

The inaugural celebration will feature presentations and activities offered by more than 25 organizations. It's presented by Lehigh Valley Zoo and ArtsQuest, a non-profit organization based in Bethlehem."We were looking to do an event that would shine the spotlight on the outdoor activities available in the area," said Mark Demko. "Our region is so rich in a wide variety of outdoors-related resources, and we wanted to bring it all together in one place."The event is focused on involving families, especially children, with activities such as shooting a bow, casting a fly rod, building a home for a toad, working through an orienteering course, taking part in an urban hike on the South Bethlehem Greenway, participating in biking and birding outings and even, donning scuba equipment.On May 30, the day concludes with a free, family-friendly concert by GRAMMY-nominated folk-rock duo Trout Fishing in America, which will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks."Research shows that children grow up well-rounded the more they are exposed to nature," says Lehigh Valley Zoo President & CEO Melissa Borland. "Lehigh Valley Zoo strives to bring conservation education to our communities in unique ways and being a sponsor of ArtsQuest's new Step Outdoors event is a wonderful opportunity to continue to unleash the wonder in children."Visitors can expect to be able to see a variety of animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. On both days, the Lehigh Valley Zoo will offer presentations featuring its live education animals including amphibians and reptiles from the Zoo's new Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Center, which opened April 11. Hawk Mountain, the Berks County-based sanctuary dedicated to protecting birds of prey, will also offer a presentation on Raptors of Pennsylvania on May 30.Throughout both days, there are various workshops such as fly tying, metal detecting and making a glass birdfeeder. Cabela's, one of the event's partners, is setting up a mock campsite where representatives will teach the basics of backpacking and camping.There's a reason why there's so much to do during both days of Step Outdoors."From the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Mountain, to the high-quality parks and streams located in our cities' downtowns, the Lehigh Valley has some amazing natural and outdoor resources just waiting for people to explore," says ArtsQuest President & CEO Kassie Hilgert. "There are so many groups in our region that are dedicated to wildlife conservation, preserving open space and promoting outdoor recreation, and we're excited to be working with many of them at this new, free event for all ages."To plan your visit, go to

www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.Organizations confirmed to participate in Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley so far include Appalachian Mountain Club, City of Bethlehem Parks & Recreation, Cabela's, Cutters Bike Shop, Da Vinci Science Center, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Delaware River Shad Fishermen's Association, Delaware Valley Orienteering Association, Discover Lehigh Valley, Dutch Springs, Hawk Mountain, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Jacobsburg Historical Society, Keystone Elk Country Alliance, Lehigh River Stocking Association, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, Lehigh Valley Zoo, National Wild Turkey Federation, Northampton Community College, Northampton County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, PBS 39, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ruffed Grouse Society - Lehigh Valley Chapter, Sierra Club Lehigh Valley, Trout Unlimited , United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania and Wildlands Conservancy.Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley is supported by Lehigh Valley Zoo, in association with Cabela's. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.