VENTURE OUTDOORS Trailhead Connecting Everyone with the Outdoors
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January – March 2016 Schedule VENTURE OUTDOORS TRAILHEAD Connecting Everyone with the Outdoors Explore the outdoors with the whole family! Craft hikes, snowshoe adventures, bunny hunts - our family outings have something for every member of the family! Join us on a winter wonderland adventure! Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing this winter! Banff, the greatest film festival of the year, is only a few months away! See page 15 for more details. 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 the Erik Agostoni, Secretary region’s unique natural amenities, highlight its excellent quality of life, and foster a greater Todd Owens, Immediate 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, 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 Coordinator Festival at the Carnegie Library and Music Jake Very, Program Administrator Hall of Homestead and the Venture Outdoors Festival in Point State Park. KAYAK PITTSBURGH Vanessa Bashur, Kayak Pittsburgh Manager Membership Has Its Benefits Membership Levels DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS Time to renew your Membership or join for Student /Senior – $15 (Students or Donna L. Bour, Director the first time? Go to ventureoutdoors.org Seniors age 62+) Kathi Radock, Membership and Volunteer to show your support of our programs and Individual – $25 Manager mission to connect people to the outdoors! Danielle Levsky, Communications and Dual – $35 (any two members of the same household) Media Coordinator As a Member you save everyday on Jayme Penner, Development and outing fees, rentals at Kayak Pittsburgh, Family – $50 (up to six members of the same household) Communications Administrator and invitations to Members only outings and events. Trailblazer – $75 ADMINISTRATION Adriane Harrison, Human Resources Paddler – $100 Coordinator Don’t miss these great benefits any Ranger – $125 Sherry Buckham, Operations Administrator longer – become a Member now at ventureoutdoors.org. Steward – $250 Trustee – $500 Trip Leader Council Have a question about Membership? Pathfinder – $1,000 Email [email protected] Nanci Goldberg or call 412.255.0564, ext. 224. All members receive: Joel Johnston • Discounts of up to 40% on Venture Nancy Latimer Thank you for your continued support! Erin McCormick Outdoors outings Henry Schumacher • $5 off your first hour at either Kayak Sheila Stagnitta Pittsburgh location and savings on Orville Steininger Kayak Pittsburgh season passes Christen Stroh Kevin Thomson • Invitations to free Members only Joe Walko outings (selected each month by the VENTURE Venture Outdoors Programming Team) and events OUTDOORS Members at the Steward level and above also receive the following for up to six members of the same household: • Two FREE Kayak Pittsburgh 1-hour rental vouchers • Two FREE general admissions to the Contributor Choice #1529517 Banff Mountain Film Festival 2 VENTUREOUTDOORS.ORG Levels of Difficulty Table of Contents Membership p. 2 Educational p. 4 Leadership p. 7 This terminology is general. Please refer to program description for specifics. The Levels of Difficulty p. 3 Family p. 4 Snowshoeing p. 7 activity information is accurate at the How to Sign Up p. 3 Fly Fishing p. 5 Specialty Hikes p. 8 time of printing. Occasionally, an activity’s Cross Country Skiing p. 4 Hiking p. 5 Workshops p. 10 information is altered before its start date. You will receive the most recent information when you register. RELAXED How to Sign Up • Short distances at a slow pace • Generally flat terrain, well defined trails ONLINE If at any point in the process you have a question • No prior activity experience is necessary Visit ventureoutdoors.org. or would like assistance, please call 412.255.0564, • Perfect start for beginners x0 or email [email protected]. • Not too physically challenging Members Registrations are confirmed within 1–2 business days. EASY • Click Sign In at the top right corner of the • Short distances at a slow pace homepage, enter your email address and • Relatively flat terrain, well defined trails, password, then navigate to Activities Calendar MORE INFORMATION and select your outing. may involve some hills We will provide you with an information sheet that • No prior activity experience is necessary includes meeting time and location, directions, • Perfect start for beginners Non-Members and a list of what to wear and bring. Participants • Not too physically challenging • Click Join Today at the top right corner of the provide their own transportation and food unless homepage to become a Member and start otherwise noted. MODERATE saving on outings OR navigate to Activities • Varying distances at a steady pace Calendar and select your outing. • Varying terrain, fairly established trails ACCOMMODATIONS • Some prior experience in the activity is Next Steps If you need an accommodation to participate, required • Click on the Register button which takes you please call 412.255.0564 or email info@ • Physically challenging, only for those in to the next page. That’s where you select who ventureoutdoors.org. good physical condition is attending. ADVANCED • Check the boxes for all family members you CANCELLATION POLICY • Fast-paced over a short distance or wish to register. Refunds are processed for cancellations steady-paced over a long distance – If you are registering someone who is made at least three business days (Monday – • Varying terrain, may include off-trail NOT a Member, enter information in the Friday) in advance. Simply email registration@ sections, rough spots, unexpected Other Participants fields. Then click Add ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564, ext. 0 obstacles Participant. Cancellations cannot be made on our website. • Prior experience in the activity is required • Once all participants have been added, check • Physically challenging, only for those in I agree to VO terms and click Next. Cancellations with insufficient notice, no-shows, good physical condition and late arrivals who miss the group’s departure • Select Save and Continue Shopping to go will not receive a refund or trip credit. STRENUOUS back to the Activities Calendar and add more • Fast-paced over a short distance or outings. Then repeat the steps. When ready to Refunds are issued in the form of original payment fast-paced over a long distance check out, add discount code or gift unless otherwise requested. Paid reservations certificate numbers if applicable, then click are transferable to other participants. However, • Difficult terrain, will include off-trail Apply! Check for accuracy, click Next, and we request advanced notice of the transfer. sections, rough spots and unexpected enter payment information on the next page. obstacles • Prior experience in the activity is required • Ready to complete your transaction? Click • Only for those in excellent physical Submit and you’re done! condition. Most physically challenging 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 INTERMEDIATE CROSS COUNTRY SKIING CROSS COUNTRY This moderate outing is for those who wish to improve their cross country skiing technique FAMILY and to ski at a steady pace. We’ll showcase EASY SKIING popular places to cross country ski that NOTE: Ski rentals are not included in the fee include varying terrain and picturesque but are available near the meeting location. landscapes. Pack a lunch and snacks. FAMILY SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE Dates and Locations: Saturday, January 30 at Bring the whole family on an easy snowshoe EASY Laurel Summit and Saturday, February 27 at outing through a winter wonderland. We’ll Raccoon Creek State Park start with the basics of snowshoeing, and then hike along an easy trail that everyone in the BEGINNER