Hall County Parks and Leisure is gearing up for Saturday’s annual JAKES Day, which invites kids of all ages to enjoy the outdoors.

The event, Juniors Achieving Knowledge and Ethics in Sportsmanship, is put on in partnership with the foothills chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center on Calvary Church Road.

Events will be held indoors and happen rain or shine.

"It’s to promote outdoor education and hunting and fishing safety for children to generate interest in wildlife management and all of those areas that kind of get forgotten," said Marci Summer, the facility manager for the South Hall Community Center. "It just helps kids with getting outside and gives families a really great no-cost activity to do."

Summer said the event’s unusual name was created by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

"A jake is actually a baby turkey. They created the acronym of JAKES from that," Summer said.

There will be a variety of activities for all ages at the event, including BB gun shooting, slingshots, archery and turkey calling.

"I call it my ‘Baby Crockett Day’ where the kids get to do all the things adventurous little kids want to do," Summer said.

But safety is a definite priority.

"Every event has a qualified trained adult right there with them," Summer said. "It’s a safety precaution, but it’s also an educational opportunity for the adults to teach the kids some of those safety things that you need."

The activities are free, with food and drinks provided.

"The guys fundraiser year round to pay for this program," Summer said. "It’s a great partnership for us."

Summer said JAKES Day is one of Hall County Parks and Leisure’s most successful events. She expects about 1,000 to take part.

"It’s all hands on. I think that’s what the kids enjoy the most about it," Summer said. "It’s the respect for the environment and respect for wildlife."