July – September 2016 Schedule VENTURE OUTDOORS TRAILHEAD Connecting Everyone with the Outdoors Did You Know… Board of Directors Venture Outdoors is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization. We are dedicated to Alice Johnston, Board Chair connecting everyone to the benefits of outdoor recreation throughout Southwestern Drew Lessard, Vice Chair & Treasurer Pennsylvania. We provide a variety of activities that inspire an active lifestyle, promote Erik Agostoni, Secretary the region’s unique amenities, highlight its excellent quality of life, and foster a greater Todd Owens, Past Chair appreciation for the environment. L. Todd Becker Abby Corbin Here’s how we do it… Becoming a member helps us… Dennis Henderson With more than 700 outings and events • Get children and low–income families David Hunt each year, people of all ages, families, kids, outside and active, experiencing the Lindsay Patross and even pets, can enjoy our first–rate wonder and beauty of outdoor Darlene Schiller outdoor recreation. recreation Robert J. Standish • Develop adaptive outdoor recreation Geoff Tolley Members save on outings, but everyone is programs for people with disabilities David Wolf welcome. Want to create a unique group experience? Call about customized outings. • Fund our continued efforts to promote Staff healthy lifestyles throughout Venture Outdoors also runs Kayak Pittsburgh Southwestern Pennsylvania Joey–Linn Ulrich, Executive Director and operates a 24’ portable climbing wall to bring fun to your next festival, PROGRAM DEPARTMENT community day, or corporate event. Lora Woodward, Director Liz Fager, Community Program Manager And join us each spring for two of our most Jim Smith, Equipment and Facilities Manager popular events – the Banff Mountain Film Lora Hutelmyer, Youth Program Manager Festival at the Carnegie Library and Music Jake Very, Custom Program Coordinator Hall of Homestead and the Venture Billy Dixon, Program Administrator Outdoors Festival in Point State Park. KAYAK PITTSBURGH Membership Has Its Benefits Membership Levels Vanessa Bashur, Director Time to renew your Membership or join for Student /Senior – $15 (Students or DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS the first time? Go to ventureoutdoors.org Seniors age 62+) Donna L. Bour, Director to show your support of our programs and Individual – $25 Kathi Radock, Membership and Volunteer mission to connect people to the outdoors! Manager Dual – $35 (any two members of the same household) Jessica Wiegand, Communications and As a Member you save everyday on Media Coordinator outing fees, rentals at Kayak Pittsburgh, Family – $50 (up to six members of the same household) Jayme Penner, Membership and and invitations to Members only outings Special Projects Coordinator and events. Trailblazer – $75 ADMINISTRATION Paddler – $100 Don’t miss these great benefits any Adriane Harrison, Human Resources Ranger – $125 longer – become a Member now at Manager Steward – $250 Sherry Buckham, Operations Administrator ventureoutdoors.org. Trustee – $500 Have a question about Membership? Pathfinder – $1,000 Trip Leader Council Email [email protected] or call 412.255.0564, ext. 224. All members receive: Nanci Goldberg • Discounts of up to 40% on Venture Joel Johnston Thank you for your continued support! Nancy Latimer Outdoors outings Erin McCormick • $5 off your first hour at either Kayak Henry Schumacher Pittsburgh location and savings on Sheila Stagnitta Kayak Pittsburgh season passes Orville Steininger Christen Stroh • Invitations to free Members only Kevin Thomson VENTURE outings (selected each month by the Joe Walko OUTDOORS Venture Outdoors Programming Team) and events Members at the Steward level and above also receive the following for up to six members of the same household: Contributor Choice #1529517 • Two FREE Kayak Pittsburgh 1–hour rental vouchers • Two FREE general admissions to the Banff Mountain Film Festival 2 VENTUREOUTDOORS.ORG Levels of Difficulty Table of Contents This terminology is general. Please refer Membership p. 2 Fishing p. 5 Paddling p. 11 to program description for specifics. The Levels of Difficulty p. 3 Hiking p. 6 Kayaking p. 11 Stand Up Paddle Boarding p. 14 activity information is accurate at the How to Sign Up p. 3 Backpacking p. 9 Specialty Hikes p. 9 Canoeing p. 15 time of printing. Occasionally, an activity’s Biking p. 4 information is altered before its start Rock Climbing and Caving p. 16 Family p. 4 date. You will receive the most recent Workshops p. 16 information when you register. RELAXED • Short distances at a slow pace • Generally flat terrain, well defined trails • No prior activity experience is necessary How to Sign Up • Perfect start for beginners If at any point in the process you have a question • Not too physically challenging ONLINE Visit ventureoutdoors.org. or would like assistance, please call 412.255.0564, EASY x0 or email [email protected]. • Short distances at a slow pace Members Registrations are confirmed within 1–2 business days. • Relatively flat terrain, well defined trails, • Click Sign In at the top right corner of the may involve some hills homepage, enter your email address and • No prior activity experience is necessary password, then navigate to Activities Calendar MORE INFORMATION • Perfect start for beginners and select your outing. We will provide you with an information sheet that • Not too physically challenging includes meeting time and location, directions, MODERATE Non-Members and a list of what to wear and bring. Participants • Varying distances at a steady pace • Click Join Today at the top right corner of the provide their own transportation and food unless otherwise noted. • Varying terrain, fairly established trails homepage to become a Member and start saving on outings OR navigate to Activities • Some prior experience in the activity is Calendar and select your outing. required ACCOMMODATIONS • Physically challenging, only for those in Next Steps If you need an accommodation to participate, good physical condition • Click on the Register button which takes you please call 412.255.0564 or email info@ ADVANCED to the next page. That’s where you select who ventureoutdoors.org. • Fast–paced over a short distance or is attending. steady–paced over a long distance • Check the boxes for all family members you CANCELLATION POLICY • Varying terrain, may include off–trail wish to register. sections, rough spots, unexpected Refunds are processed for cancellations – If you are registering someone who is made at least three business days (Monday – obstacles NOT a Member, enter information in the Friday) in advance. Simply email registration@ • Prior experience in the activity is required Other Participants fields. Then click Add ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564, ext. 0 • Physically challenging, only for those in Participant. Cancellations cannot be made on our website. good physical condition • Once all participants have been added, check I STRENUOUS agree to Venture Outdoors terms and click Next. Cancellations with insufficient notice, no–shows, and late arrivals who miss the group’s departure • Fast–paced over a short distance or • Select Save and Continue Shopping to go will not receive a refund or trip credit. fast–paced over a long distance back to the Activities Calendar and add more • Difficult terrain, will include off–trail outings. Then repeat the steps. When ready to Refunds are issued in the form of original payment sections, rough spots and unexpected check out, add discount code or gift unless otherwise requested. Paid reservations obstacles certificate numbers if applicable, then click are transferable to other participants. However, Apply! Check for accuracy, click Next, and we request advanced notice of the transfer. • Prior experience in the activity is required enter payment information on the next page. • Only for those in excellent physical condition. Most physically challenging • Ready to complete your transaction? Click Submit and you’re done! FAMILY FRIENDLY • These activities are geared toward the whole family and offer discounts for children under 18; some restrictions apply. A parent or legal guardian must sign an assumption of risk form for a participant under 18 years of age. DOG FRIENDLY • Bring your best friend along on the trip. These activities are great for both you and your dog. • The number of dogs allowed on an activity is limited AND those dogs must be registered with participants. Dogs must have licenses and up–to–date shots. VENTUREOUTDOORS.ORG 3 BIKING Bike rentals are available through Venture Outdoors for $8 unless otherwise noted. Reservations for rentals should be made by calling the office, 412–255–0564 after registering for the program. EASY JULY HAPPY HOUR BIKE RIDE Have a happy ride before the @PUMP_PSL July Happy Hour, sponsored by Zipcar! Join PUMP, Venture Outdoors, and Healthy Ride for an hour long ride along the South Side trail, followed by the @PUMP_PSL Happy Hour at Local Bar + Kitchen. The registration fee covers the bike ride, a helmet, and @ NORTH SHORE TRAIL RIDE PUMP_PSL Happy Hour activities, including your first beer on us! Bike rentals are available Explore the North Shore part of the Three FAMILY from Healthy Ride; please request a bike Rivers Heritage Trail with us! This 8 to 10-mile ahead of time. ride will make its way along the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, while exploring highlights along Tuesday, July 12 the way, including sports stadiums, public art, RELAXED 6 – 7:30 PM and many of Pittsburgh’s famous bridges. Bike rentals are available from Healthy Ride; FAMILY FISHING DERBY South Side please request a bike ahead of time. We’ll provide the bait and rods, so bring Member $8, Non-Member $12 the whole family for this fun-filled catch and Saturday, September 17 release fishing derby! No need for a fishing 9 AM – 12 PM license today; it’s the PA Fish and Boat RIVERFRONT TRAIL RIDE Commission’s Fish for Free Day. Pittsburgh has bike trails along all three of its North Shore rivers! Our knowledgeable guides will show Member $10, Non-Member $15 Monday, July 4 you how to connect the trails smoothly on this 9 AM – 11 AM 12–15 mile ride.