The Bi-Weekly e-Newsletter of Venture Outdoors Inc.
304 Forbes Ave, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
For Information and Registration 412-255-0564 (M-F 9-5) or www.ventureoutdoors.org
(unsubscribe information is at the very end of this email)
Welcome to the Outdoors!
What's in this issue? (Left Column)
1. Trail Mix: Leader of the Pack
2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner
3. Call for Volunteers
4. Lectures with a View
5. Outdoor Announcements and Events
Even More Fun Stuff: (Right Column)
I. Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight
(Outdoor Leadership Weekend Workshop, Scotch Tasting Hike, Boating and Water Safety Awareness Course)
II. Banff Film Festival
III. V.O. in the News
IV. Venture Outdoors Activity Listing
V. TEAM VO MS150 Biking
VI. Venture Outdoors Festival
VII. Inspirations (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
VIII. What's Goin' On?
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1.
Trail Mix - Leader of the Pack
Welcome to Trail Mix, a Zip-lock bagful of VO-related fun facts, links and puzzlers,
served up fresh with every issue of Contours. Look for helpful information on everything outdoors
along with other interesting tidbits that enhance your awareness and well-being (and your funny bone too).
Leadership: A skill to take anywhere you go!
What makes a great leader? Competence, Organization, Good Group Dynamics, a Good Teacher,
one who makes you feel Safe... Throw in some first aid skills and you have an excellent
Trip Leader!
Leadership is not just reserved for leading trips. There are many areas in our life -
work and play where good leadership is vital. This is a skill that you can take home, into
the office, and beyond.
You may be thinking, "I'm not leader material...someone else can do it." Leaders are
not always typical. There are many different kinds of leading styles. And there may be a time
where you need to step up and take charge.
Outdoor Leadership!
Combining your unique personality with some new skills can help YOU to become a great leader...
Check out the Outdoor Leadership Workshop listed in the Activity Spotlight if you
would like to learn more about Leadership in the Outdoors. It is a fun weekend that teaches
through classroom sessions and role-playing scenarios. The curriculum is based off of the
leadership programs offered by
NOLS and
AMC.
Take a look at all the life skills you'll learn at this kind of training.
If you are interested in becoming a Venture Outdoors Trip Leader, contact Rob Walters
at 412-255-0564 ext.28 or
rwalters@ventureoutdoors.org.
2. Venture Outdoors
Membership Corner
Sign up for Membership today and pledge your support to outdoor recreation!
Put yourself in the center of the action! We make it easy for you to become a member with
Venture Outdoors TODAY. Members receive discounts on the hundreds of activities with Venture Outdoors
throughout the year, discounts from local merchants, priority listing on activity waiting lists and
subscriptions to Contours and Adventure Times as well as providing support for the organization that
means so much to you. Read on for some of the great things that come along with Venture Outdoors membership,
and to join, click here!
Become a V.O. Member!
Discover the advantages of a Venture Outdoors membership...call today!
412-255-0564, ext. 26
Or, click here.
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3. Call for Volunteers
We need a little help here!
Special Call for Volunteers!
2006 Home and Garden Show
When: Friday, March 3 – Sunday, March 12
Dates and Times:
Friday, March 3: Full
Saturday, March 4: 10 AM -1 PM or 1-4 or 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Sunday, March 5: 10 – 2 PM or 2 -6 PM
Monday, March 6: Full
Tuesday, March 7: 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Wednesday, March 8: 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Thursday, March 9: 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Friday, March 10: 10 AM -1 PM or 1-4 or 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Saturday, March 11: 10 AM -1 PM or 1-4 or 4-7 or 7-10 PM
Sunday, March 12: Full
Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh (10th &
Ft. Duquesne)
What: Venture Outdoors has an informational booth at the upcoming Home & Garden show!
We need lots of volunteers to help handout our newsletter, talk about our activities and
get folks excited about getting outside. (Admission to the event is covered by Venture
Outdoors). Please feel free to dress casual outdoor gear (dress in layers because it can
get cold/hot at the booth). Feel free to come early or stay after your shift to enjoy the
show.
If you would like to help us out with these or any other events & projects,
please contact Sara Sweeney, our Office Manager, at 412-255-0564x21 or email
sbsweeney@ventureoutdoors.org.
Be sure to send your email address or other contact information.
Bonus: For every shift volunteered – volunteers will receive 1 free hour of kayaking
for 2 people at Kayak Pittsburgh!
General Volunteers
Do you have some time to spare during the week?
If so, we would be happy to include you in our ever-growing family of volunteers. Venture Outdoors staff is in need of volunteers for data entry, mailings and premium shipments as well as various office assistance during regular business hours (M-F, 9-5).
Can't commit to the weekdays? We are always looking for volunteers for our exciting events such as the
Banff Film Festival and Venture Outdoors Festival. Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org today.
Help remove 3 illegal dumpsites
This cleanup is registered as part of the
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great Pennsylvania Cleanup! and organized by
PA CleanWays in cooperation with
The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program.
Contact: Michelle Dunn, PA CleanWays 1-877-772-3673 or
mdunn@pacleanways.org with any questions and to participate. Please call to register.
Dress for safety: Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and work gloves.
For volunteers age 12-17, call PA CleanWays for participation requirements.
Lunch and drinks will be provided.
Reiber & Frogtown Roads
When: Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 9:00am.
Rain date: Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 9:00am.
Where: Meet at Reiber & Frogtown Roads
Route 318 to Reiber Rd. to Frogtown Rd.
Route 221 and Route 18
in Prosperity, Morris Twp., Washington County
When: Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 9:00 AM.
Where: Meet at the large gravel pull off on Route 221 and Route 18
across from Morris Twp. Park.
Warrior Ridge
Road South of Petersburg, Huntingdon County
When: Sunday, April 23, 2006 at 12:00 noon.
Rain date: Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 12:00 noon.
Where: Meet at Warrior Ridge Dam off of Warrior Ridge Road.
4. Lectures with a View
at the Schenley Park Visitor Center
Mother Nature finds a voice this spring in the
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's
free lecture series,
Schenley Park Lunchtime Series: Lectures with a View.
The 6-week series features speakers on local history, environment, outdoor adventure and art, and is co-sponsored by Venture Outdoors.
Thursdays at Noon (30 min.) at Schenley Park Visitor Center
The Schenley Park Café will be serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, desserts and coffees.
For more information, call 412-682-7275.
March 9 - Restoring and Sustaining Panther Hollow Lake
Tom Cahill, president, Cahill Associates
March 16 - Fixing Our Broken Food System in Western Pennsylvania: Buying Fresh and Local
David Eson, director of western programs,
PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture
March 23 - A Green Vision for East Liberty
Eric Jester, associate project manager,
and Nathan Wildfire, development assistant,
East Liberty Development Inc.
March 30 - Fierce Friends: How artists have used animals to represent humans' connection with nature
Debbie Starling-Pollard, community liaison,
Carnegie Museum of Art
April 6 - The Return of the Natives:
Local folks restoring urban landscapes
Mary Beth Steisslinger, restoration coordinator,
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
April 13 - The Geology of Pittsburgh's City Parks
(Guided Walk to follow)
Albert Kollar, geologist, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
5. Outdoor Announcements & Events
Get out your planners folks...
The Sprout Fund - Job Posting
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
The Outreach & Communications Coordinator will handle all outreach, communications,
media relations, and marketing activities for The Sprout Fund, its programs, projects,
events, and activities. Additional significant duties of the position include event planning
and project management of special projects and activities.
For more information,
please review the complete position announcement.
Applications are due no later than Friday, March 10, 2006 at 5:00pm.
SCA - Outdoor Leaders Wanted!!
Spend the summer living and working outdoors leading a Student Conservation Association conservation crew.
Send resume and cover letter by fax or email or call for more details.
(412) 325-1851 phone
(412) 325-1856 fax
threerivers@thesca.org
2006 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards - Seeking Nominations
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion, sponsors of the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program, have announced that they are now accepting nominations for the 2006 Environmental Awards, to be presented at the Westin Convention Center Hotel on May 25, 2006.
An independent panel of judges will evaluate all nominations. In honor of each awardee, the sponsors will make a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit organization of the awardee's choice that provides environmental benefits to western Pennsylvania. Nomination forms are available by calling PEC at (412) 481-9400 and must be submitted by March 17, 2006.
Global Warming 2006: An Activist's Primer
Saturday, March 25, 2006 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent Auditorium
A free conference on Global Warming...reserve your place now!
RSVP before March 22 by calling PennFuture at 717-214-7920
toll-free in PA 800-321-7775, or online.
Mount Washington Cleanup
On Saturday, April 1st the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh (ECP) will be working with
the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation (CDC) to hold their annual Mount
Washington Cleanup.
Experienced rock climbers and mountaineers from the club will be using their climbing skills
and equipment to safely remove garbage from the steep slopes of Mount Washington along Grandview
Avenue.
Additional volunteers are being sought to help climb over the mountainside and remove garbage
from 9 am until noon. Free food will be provided, plus a post-cleanup party to be held for
volunteers. Those interested in volunteering with the cleanup should contact the ECP's Matt Tolbert
at (412) 687-4354 or drt42@aol.com.
Fineview 'Step Up to the Challenge' 5K
May 7, 2006
This year marks the exciting Eleventh Anniversary of the challenging Fineview 5K Race.
This race is a challenging 5K, perhaps the most challenging around, and we are hoping you
are up for it!
Entry Details:
Participation is open to anyone and includes entry by peoples of all ages.
Prizes are offered according to age groups. Teams are also encouraged to register for
the race. You and/or your team can download the online application form and race map at
our website www.onefineview.org/stepathon.htm. Registration is only $15 before
April 22nd and is $20 any time after. The entry fee includes a certificate and T-shirt
for every participant.
"Water: An Endangered Resource"
Documentary to air on PBS...with an appearance from V.O.'s own Sean Brady!
Scheduled to air: Sunday, April 23rd at 5:00 PM
WQED, channel 13, in Pittsburgh
10th Annual Outdoor Extravaganza
Memorial Day Weekend May 26-29, 2006
Base camp at Breakneck Campground
(Near McConnell's Mill & Moraine State Park)
Sponsored by Butler Outdoor Club
We have a weekend full of various outdoor activities:
road bike trips, bike trail trips, mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking on lakes or
streams, caving, sailing on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park, rock climbing and rappelling
at McConnell's Mill State Park, horseback riding and various kinds of hikes.
For more information:
contact Joyce Appel at 724-526-5407 or joyceappel@arm-tek.net
Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group
Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group
(AMRG ) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit search and rescue (SAR) resource that has offered
support to government agencies responsible for lost- and injured-person incidents for 20 years.
A Training Calender can be found on their website at www.amrg.info/schedule.htm
If you would like to be added to their e-mail list, send your request to training@amrg.info.
2006 Yockatomac Trek
The 2006 Y-Trek is in the final planning stages and the dates have been set for June 17 to June 25. We will be leaving Washington, DC early Saturday afternoon on June 17th and arriving in McKeesport, PA a little before noon for a closing picnic celebration of the trek on Sunday June 25th. It has alway been an enjoyable and interesting ride, and this year there's only about eight miles of Great Allegheny Passage trail left to be completed from Cumberland through McKeesport.
For more information, check out the ATA website or join the Yoktrek mailing list:
Send an email to join-yoktrek@listserver.atatrail.org. The system will send an e-mail asking for confirmation. To actually join the list one must reply to this confirmation request.
Laurel Ridge State Park Web Cam
For anyone curious about how much snow is in the Laurel Highlands,
click on the link below for the web cam at Laurel Ridge State Park:
http://www.paccsa.org/webcam.htm
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I. The Venture Outdoors
Activity Spotlight
Check it out!
Friday, March 17 - Sunday, March 19
Outdoor Leadership Weekend Workshop
This full weekend course is the perfect way to improve your leadership skills in the field while having fun doing it. The curriculum is based on that used by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the National Outdoor Leadership School. We cover a lot of material in the classroom and with practical role-playing scenarios. Topics include: leadership styles, group dynamics, trip planning, risk management and other important trip leader skills.
Location: TBA
Time: Friday 8:00 AM - Sunday 4:00 PM
Cost: $35.00 member/$35.00 non-member
Sunday, March 5
Scotch Tasting Hike
Explore the highlands of the South Side slopes and the lowlands of "Loch Mon" on a hike through little known parks of the South Side. To top off the evening and warm our hearts, we sample Highland, Lowland and Islay single-malt Scotch at Piper's Pub.
Minimum
age: 21.
Location: South Side, Piper's Pub
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $35.00 member/$40.00 non-member
Saturday, March 11
Boating and Water Safety Awareness Course
This course certifies participants in boating and water safety, following the PA Fish & Boat Commission curriculum. Four hours of class time plus four hours of pool time teaches the skills important to be a safe boater in PA. For those who wish to operate jet skis or PWC's in Pennsylvania, you MUST be certified. This one-time class certifies you for life!
Location: Kingsley Association, East Liberty
Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$10.00 non-member
Boating Season is around the bend...
Get certified!
For a complete listing
of activities,
check out our website: www.ventureoutdoors.org.
II. Banff Film Festival
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Thursday, April 13
AND
Friday, April 14
7:00 PM, Byham Theatre
The best in outdoor adventure films
is coming to town again…now for TWO nights, with different
films showing each night! Venture Outdoors is pleased to present this year's festival, which
includes stunning international film productions on mountain themes ranging from mountaineering
to ice and rock climbing to snowboarding to wildlife environmental issues and unique cultural
encounters.
For the last 3 years, we have SOLD OUT.
Order tickets today! Call 412-255-0564.
Click here for more details on this great event.
III. V.O.
in the News
Check out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news media:
2-27-06 Pittsburgh LIVE (...warm-up after hike)
1-17-06
Pittsburgh LIVE (Why Walk?)
12-21-05
Cranberry Journal (Snowshoeing)
12-06-05 Pittsburgh LIVE (Snow days)
IV.
The Venture Outdoors
Activity Listing
So much to do, so little time...
Saturday, March 4
Day Trek: Lite
Location: Moraine State Park
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member
Saturday, March 4 - Sunday, March 5
Wilderness First Aid
Location: Crooked Creek Environmental Center
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $150.00 member/$170.00 non-member
Sunday, March 5 Activities
Doggie Day Trek
Location: North Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$12.00 non-member
Scotch Tasting Hike
*Activity Spotlight!*
Saturday, March 11 Activities
Beer Tasting Hike
Location: Boyce Park
Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member
Minimum age: 21
Boating and Water Safety Awareness Course
*Activity Spotlight!*
Sunday, March 12 Activities
Caving Exploration
Location: Laurel Caverns
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member
Day Trek
Location: Kennerdell
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member
Friday, March 17 - Sunday, March 19
Outdoor Leadership Weekend Workshop
*Activity Spotlight!*
Saturday, March 18
Curry Hike
Location: Frick Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member
Role-playing at Outdoor Leadership
V. TEAM VO MS150 Biking
There is still time to join!
Imagine yourself, a member of TEAM VENTURE OUTDOORS, biking the MS150's "Escape to the Lake (Erie)."
Yes, you! Last year over 1,400 cyclists rode the one-way tour over scenic back roads as the finale to raising over $800,000 to help the fight against MS. Here’s an opportunity to have great fun, meet a challenge and do fundraising all as a team of great people for a great cause. This is a goal you can accomplish; it’s a very doable challenge for everyone interested.
The ride is a fundraiser; therefore, each person is required to raise the amount designated by the MS Society for participation. Any additional funds raised will qualify the team for prizes based on the most dollars brought in. For more details, click here.
Email Team Captain Jeanette Tuttle-Hamer at tutham@earthlink.net to discuss the details and training for TEAM VO!
VI. Venture Outdoors Festival
Save the Date!
V.O. Festival
Saturday, May 20, 2006
FREE Activities including: Biking, Kayaking, Dragon Boats, River Tours, Kids' Activities and much more!
North Shore - Downtown Pittsburgh
VII. Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go: hmmm...
"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
VIII. What's Goin' On?
More action-packed activities from groups all around the region.
Wednesday, March 15
Going the Distance (long-distance cycling clinic)
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Wednesday, March 22
Intro to Trail Maintenance
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Saturday, March 25
The Schenley Spring Fling Disc Golf Tournament
Location: Schenley Park Disc Golf Course
Time: Two Rounds starting at 9:00 AM
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Wednesday, March 29
Adventure Racing 101
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Saturday, April 22
The 2006 Indiana Open Disc Golf Tournament
PDGA Sanctioned C-Tier Event
Location: IUP College Lodge Disc Golf Course
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Sunday, April 23
The 2006 Ironwood Disc Golf Tournament
PDGA Sanctioned B-Tier Event
Location: Moraine State Park Golf Course
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Complete Listings at www.ventureoutdoors.org
Questions? Call us 412-255-0564
Contours is an e-newsletter of Venture Outdoors and is published every two
weeks.
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(Never fear...the PUZZLER will return next week!)
Things you can learn through Leadership Training (according to NOLS):
Leadership Responsibilities
Help the group set goals and move towards them, create strong leadership within the group, encourage responsibility, use individual and collective strengths, and improve the quality of interactions among group members.
Self Leadership
Learn how to take responsibility for yourself, maintain a sense of humor, help others learn and succeed, and push yourself.
Communication Skills
Discover when to speak up and when to be silent in a group, set group expectations, listen actively, and provide timely, growth-oriented feedback.
Judgment & Decision-Making
Work to develop good judgment, situationally-appropriate decision making skills, and the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively.
Tolerance for Adversity and Uncertainty
Turn challenging situations into opportunities, learn to endure and even enjoy hard work and challenge, live in rhythm with what you cannot control, and control what you can.
Self Awareness
Understand your abilities, limitations and learning needs and work at being yourself as a leader.
Vision & Action
Learn to be decisive, assess what needs to be done and do it, remain flexible to change and model the way.
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