Ah, the great outdoors--so limitless and wonderful and yet so unappreciated in today’s society. That is, until you come to Athens. Here, being outside comes naturally to the people, and it’s still something that is celebrated every day.

Rising Appalachian Warriors (RAW) is a newly developed organization that encompasses the wild world by means of educating the youth. They are our future, so they say.

RAW was founded by three friends, Lawrence Greene, Molly Jo Stanley and Weston Lombard. It focuses on discovery and recognition of the land through hands-on experience, keeping in mind that nature can teach just as well, if not better, than humans can.

“The ultimate goal is to get kids excited about being outside and living in Ohio and showing them the great things that are just in their back yard that they might miss out on,” said Lombard. “Kids are so into video games. We want to show them some fun alternatives that are free and always available.”

Because RAW is still in its baby stages, it will be hosting its second benefit event this Sunday at Casa Cantina in order to collect donations and make its ambitions heard. Proceeds will go to sponsoring children so that they can attend the first-ever RAW summer camp. For every $150 they collect, one child will be sent to the camp.

Given the focus on locality and that Casa Cantina is quintessential in the Athens scene, Lombard and friends chose it to host their event.

“We’re trying to bring as much as the local population together as we can. Casa is where they all are,” Lombard said.

As far as musical entertainment goes, show patrons can expect perhaps one of the most sundry and luring groups of performers ever in Athens. Diversity was the goal, after all.

For those who adore the alluring element of acoustics, RAW presents Adam Graham and Leah Nairn who play a medley of covers and originals. Next is Allen Strong, a prominent singer-songwriter in the Athens music scene. He is currently working on an album, collaborating with many other local artists in the process.

The RAW benefit show will also be bringing two fresh bands, Bright at Night and Hunnabee & the Sandy Tar Boys, into the limelight. Both bands are spin-offs and collaborations of preexisting Athens artists. The former consists of Emerson B and company, and they describe themselves as “soul, hip-hop, and acoustic.” Hunnabee & the Sandy Tar Boys are made up of members from MBANZA!, who will be playing their last show under that brainchild soon, according to Lombard.

Also thrown into the already eclectic mix will be DJ Easty, who will be playing dubstep dance music. On the other side of the musical spectrum will be an African acoustic band, which will be “rhythmic and good for dancing,” according to Lombard.

So while the summer camp is for kids, the show at Casa this Sunday may just be “grown-up time”--a chance for the parents and Athenians alike to not only support the children, but also the ground we walk on.