Mulberry Creek has always offered Chilton County residents a way of cooling off during the sweltering summer heat.

In warmer months, the creek is a popular spot for ATV riders. This year, creek goers had the opportunity to take part in a sport that doesn’t require a motor or wheels.

The Mulberry Outfitters of Stanton began organizing kayaking trips down Mulberry Creek on Memorial Day weekend.

From there, it has become a popular weekend event for the community.

The two-hour trips, led by a guide, begin in Maplesville and end in Stanton, and cover approximately 2 miles on the water.

As of right now, the Outfitters have 11 kayaks, so that 10 people can sign up for each trip.

The trips are free, and people are welcome to bring their own kayaks if they have one.

On each Saturday, there are trips offered at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Sunday trips are at 3 p.m. only.

Ebenezer Baptist Church youth minister Jeremy Marlowe founded the group when he saw the need for an outreach ministry in the community.

“I prayed about something that would make a change in the community,” Marlowe said. “We saw a lot of drinking and pollution going on, and I thought this would be a positive way to have fun on the creek.”

Marlowe is in his first year as youth minister for the church, and the Mulberry Outfitters group is his first “big project” for the ministry.

“We want to build relationships more than anything,” Marlowe said. “When we take a break on the trip, one of us will give a short testimony to the group. But mostly, it’s just a way to minister to people outside of church, and just a way to have fun.”

Marlowe shared that he hoped to offer a less invasive, economical way of reaching out to people.

“It gives people another option to enjoying the creek,” Marlowe said. “Plus it’s a lot better on the environment than ATV riding.”

The Outfitters are hoping to acquire more kayaks for future trips, and are asking the community to help out, if possible, in obtaining enough kayaks to reach the group’s goal of 24.

While the trips usually book about one or two weeks in advance, Marlowe said the church committee is looking to expand the kayaking ministry for longer than expected.

“We originally planned to have our last trip on Aug. 8, which is already booked, but we’re going to try to do a couple more weekends this year,” Marlowe said. “People are still interested in kayaking and it’s still warm, so I don’t see why we couldn’t.”

Marlowe provides updates on the trips on the group’s Facebook page, Mulberry Outfitters.

“We were shocked at how many people were “liking” our Facebook page and asking about kayaking,” Marlowe said. “It’s been a success.”

The best way to sign up for a trip is through the Facebook page.

There are no age qualifications, and the trips are kid-friendly.

“My pregnant wife has kayaked with us, and my two-year-old daughter has ridden with me on my kayak,” Marlowe said. “We even had an 87-year-old man come with us. It was great.”

In most areas, the water in the creek is relatively shallow and tranquil.

“When the kayaks got here, that’s when it really hit me that this was actually going to happen,” Marlowe said. “The first couple trips were sort of nerve-racking, but it’s been pretty smooth sailing from there.”

Marlowe said he hopes to offer more sports to the community through the Mulberry Outfitters outreach program, such as hunting and fishing.

“I’d like to see it develop into other outdoor activities, too,” Marlowe said. “Above all, we want to develop relationships with people in our community.”