DC Multisport Hosts Cabin Fever Hike at Ferdinand State Forest, Food Drive

DC Multisport will host the Cabin Fever Hike at Ferdinand State Forest on Sunday, March 8, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST at the Maple Shelter House. Organizers will offer two route options that both start at the shelter: an approximately 5-mile hike and a shorter roughly 1.5-mile hike. Participants are asked to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to the local Food Bank.

The group describes the event as family-friendly and open to all paces; WJTS notes, "You need not be a competitive athlete to belong and participate; all faces and paces are welcome." For questions about meeting logistics or parking at Ferdinand State Forest, the Dubois County Visitors Center can be reached at (812) 482-9115, or email dcmultisport@gmail.com.

Ferdinand State Forest sits six miles northeast of the town of Ferdinand on State Road 264 and traces its roots to a 1934 land donation and Civilian Conservation Corps work. The managed property now totals about 7,700 acres, offering more than 10 miles of moderate hiking trails, multiple lakes for fishing and boating — including Ferdinand Lake, Coyote Hollow Lake, Campground Lake and Fossil Lake — as well as campsites, picnic shelters and a beach. Shelters at the forest are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

DC Multisport positions itself as a community-focused fitness organization in Dubois County that offers group training, races, education and recreation while giving back to local charities. The organization invests 10 percent of net proceeds from its events into a DC Multisport Endowment; DC Multisport presents $1,770.40 to the Dubois County Community Foundation for that endowment. From proceeds of the Color Fun Run held in April of 2025, DC Multisport presented $5,470.83 to The Dove Recovery House for Women at a ceremony on Wednesday, December 3; Megan Durlauf is named in DC Multisport materials as Director of Operations for The Dove Recovery House for Women for Dubois County.

Names on recent DC Multisport materials include board members Paula Rasche and Heather Weyer, and board members shown in a photo caption as Whitney Lubbers, Rachael Waninger and Jessica Lindauer. Materials also reference Channing Ziegler in association with Crisis Connection, appearing in the supplied text both as "Executive Director of Crisis Connection" and as "Crisis Connection Board Member."

DC Multisport’s calendar of recent and planned events includes the Ferdinand State Forest hikes (Cabin Fever Hike and Howl at the Moon Hike), the Color Fun Run, the Strassenfest Bike Ride and the Battle of the Paddle Pickleball Tournament. The Parklands 6 Hour Endurance Relay was canceled in 2025 for low participation but is planned to return in April 2026. Diamond Level sponsors listed in DC Multisport materials include Advanced Rehabilitation Inc; Debbie K Allen State Farm Agent; Downtown Fitness & Running; Dubois County Tire & Supply; German American; Heartland Cardiology; Kimball International; Mann Enterprises; Masterbrand; Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Center; Old National Bank; Pet-Agree Professional Dog Grooming; Pfau Family Dentistry; Randy & Cindy Norris Mind, Body and Spirit Endowment; Seufert Construction; Tri-County YMCA; Vincennes University Jasper Campus; and Visit Dubois.

Organizers ask hikers bringing donations to leave nonperishable food items at the Maple Shelter House before setting out; for more information, call the Dubois County Visitors Center at (812) 482-9115 or email dcmultisport@gmail.com.