Trip Leaders Get Social
May 16, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Over 70 Venture Outdoors trip leaders, their friends and family, celebrated at North Park Lake on Friday, May 4th at the annual Spring Trip Leader Social. The event, put on by Trip Leader Council and VO Staff, is an opportunity to thank our dedicated volunteers the best way we know how — with food, activities and awards! Read more
Kayaking the Cove
May 7, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Ready to kayak The Cove with VO North? Read more
Spring Peepers Walk
May 1, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
With nets in hand, we walked and “scooped” our way along the shorelines of the ponds and around the wetlands of this beautiful area that is home to the Beaver County Conservation District for our family-friendly Spring Peepers Walk. Joined by guest Susan Boser, water quality educator for the Penn StateExtension/BCCD, we were there to learn about Spring Peepers as well as other residents that are active at the education center at time of year. Read more
Our Newest Navigators
April 30, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Congratulations to Mary Lynn Marsico, Lora Woodward, Janee Romesberg, and Robert Habeggar for having completed Basic Wilderness
Navigation for Trip Leaders this weekend. These trip leaders soon found out that this course, taught by Erik Kulick and Pat Demko, wasn’t all that “basic”! After all, each of these adventurous students put more time and physical effort into this moderate course than the word might suggest.
They first met Thursday evening for a classroom session at Exkursion, an outfitter based in Monroeville, to learn the rudiments of navigation. There they learned the basics of an orienteering compass and a topographic map, plus important principles like declination and the four “Norths.” By the end of the evening, they were all confidently finding points on a map, setting bearings and estimating distances.
Now, most “basic” navigation courses would have ended there in the classroom, but these four trip leaders were willing to put themselves to the test.
Gathering over the weekend at Hartwood Acres County Park — a day that felt more like Winter than Spring — the group took map and compass in hand and began putting their skills to use. Initially, the routes were straightforward as the group worked to build confidence in their skills. But by the late morning everyone was comfortable navigating off-trail through dense vegetation, over big rocks, and under fallen trees as they moved from one objective to the other. Best of all, they all had fun doing it!
Interested in participating in a similar program? Check out these upcoming events!
- Caving Exploration – Sunday, May 6
- Day Trek – Raccoon Creek State Park – Saturday, May 12
- Wilderness Survival 101 – Saturday, June 9
Check out more images from the trip:
Earth Day, Rainy Day
April 27, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
For the third straight year Mother Nature tested our mettles by giving us a some challenging, chilly weather for last weekend’s Earth Day celebration! The steady downpour didn’t deter a few dozen hardy folks from coming out and enjoying the day though!
While Tyler wrangled folks for an introduction to geocaching, I camped a-ways up the Meadow Trail under my big blue tarp. What else was under this big blue tarp? A small, but mighty, campfire, and plenty of marshmallows!
Everyone visiting the big blue tarp tent had a chance to hone their roasting skills and learn a few facts about conscious firebuilding. We even had a few return customers from last year, (which was even colder and rainier,) that remembered all the important points and demonstrated their own firebuilding skills.
I, for one, like a good rain. If nothing else, it makes a dry spot and campfire even more inviting!
-chris!
Easter Egg Geocaching
April 18, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Easter Egg Geocaching in North Park
The sun was shining in North Park on Saturday, April 7th as the sold-out Easter Egg Geocaching program participants gathered for a fun-filled afternoon. The group celebrated Easter by finding ten candy caches hidden throughout the woods using handheld GPS units. Read more
April Fool’s Mad Libs
April 16, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
This Mad Libs-inspired post was written in honor of April Fool’s Day. Have ________(noun beginning with “F” and rhyming with “sun”)!
_________(adjective) Fun in Duff Park
On April 1st, 15 __________(adj.) participants had a lot of fun ________(verb ending in -ing) in Duff Park during the ½ Day Hike lead __________(adverb) by Joe Walko and the ________(adj.) assistant leaders Veronica White and Janée Romesberg. It was a/an __________(adj.) Spring day and the abnormally warm temperatures had caused the spectacular, ____________(adj.) wildflowers to bloom much earlier in the season than usual. Duff Park, located in Murrysville, has the ___________(adj.) honor of being designated a Wild Plant Sanctuary by the _____________(state beginning with “P” and ending with “A”) Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The excited participants listened ___________(adv.) as Joe taught them how to identify Trillium, Wake Robins, Spring Beauties, Dutchman’s Breeches, Hepatica and other __________(adj.) native wildflowers. There were ________(number greater than 1) surprises in store for the hikers, one of which included a/an _________(adj.) animal sighting! Joe had mentioned at the beginning of the program that there were many wolves, ___________(plural large animal), and bears found in Duff Park, but the group still wasn’t prepared for a ____________(adj.) wolf to jump out at them from behind a tree! The wolf (also known as 8-yr-old Trevor Walko wearing a wolf hat) did no harm and actually decided to join in on the hiking fun. When the group later stopped for a snack break, Joe surprised the group again- this time with Garlic Mustard Pesto. But this wasn’t an April Fool’s joke- pesto is a delicious and ____________(positive adj.) way to get rid of that ___________(negative adj.), ___________(an even more negative adj.) invasive plant! A lot of fun was had by all (including the wolf)!
If you want to try making Garlic Mustard Pesto yourself- check out the recipe below!
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Pesto
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup Pine Nuts or Walnuts
1/2 Cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese
Enough Garlic Mustard leaves to choke a horse (or to clear a forest floor)
Finely mince the walnuts and garlic mustard. An electric coffee grinderworks like a charm.
Add Oil and Cheese, serve with pasta or rice or other whole grain. For vegan pesto use Nutritional Yeast instead of Cheese.
Harvesting Garlic Mustard: take out the entire plant including the rootsearly in the season before it has a chance to flower. Young first leaves are best for pesto (and for salads or as a steamed green). Use only the leaves for this recipe. Remove the roots from the area you are clearing as they will re-establish themselves if left in a pile on the ground. If you pull up garlic mustard after it has flowered beware as it will develop the seedhead even after it is pulled from the ground.
Found on http://www.maipc.org/morerecipes.html, a great website on edible invasive plants and how to use them!
Having trouble filling in the blanks above? Join us on one of our upcoming programs!
Trillium Trail Wildflower ID Walk
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Day Trek – Laurel Hill
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Banff Mountain Film Festival Delights Sold-Out Crowds
April 9, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
From a cute dog and highline hijinks, to the ravages of an oil pipeline and lessons of a wooly mammoth, the Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by Straub Beer, delighted sold out audiences.
Read more
Spring Garden Walk
April 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Take a relaxing Sunday morning stroll with VO North and naturalist Ryan Stauffer on the grounds of Succop Conservancy during our Spring Garden Walk on April 15th. As part of this activity, we’ll make our own seed balls. We’ll use clay, compost and native seeds.
Read more
Spring Hike and Fire Circle
April 2, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
It’s time to celebrate spring with Joel and Alice Johnston’s annual Spring Hike and Fire Circle! For the third year in a row, Joel and Alice will lead a moderate 6-9 mile hike through Roaring Run in the Laurel Highlands. After the hike, they’ll welcome participants into their home for a delicious dinner and fire circle.
In an attempt to bypass any snow or cold weather, this spring’s hike is in mid-April rather than March. A warmer date will likely result in different plant life and animal activity, as well as higher water levels. Get ready to high-step over Roaring Run to see the beauty of the forest!
Joel and Alice began leading Spring and Autumn Hike and Fire Circles three years ago, after finding their home in Hidden Valley. They have spent much time exploring Roaring Run Natural Area and love to share their knowledge of this lesser-known part of the Laurel Highlands. Hikers are usually surprised to learn that the nearby ski resort is on the edge of what Alice has dubbed a “public jewel”—Roaring Run offers beautiful scenery and a rich history to those who choose to explore it.
While hiking, you’ll learn about the geology and natural history of Western PA, as well as various plant and animal life, depending on what you pass. Joel and Alice will also share some fascinating history of the area, which is the home to an old cemetery and abandoned town.
In addition to learning about your surroundings and getting a good workout, Joel and Alice hope that participants will seize the opportunity to socialize, both on the trail and off. After hiking for several hours, you’ll make your way back to their home in Hidden Valley, where you’ll join fellow hikers for a generous slow-cooked supper, complete with salad and drinks.
Whether you choose to relax on Joel and Alice’s deck or sit around the raised fire pit, you’ll be in great company. The Spring Hike and Fire Circle offers a wonderful change in pace to VO’s efficient urban and neighborhood hikes—you are free to take your time eating, socializing, and learning more about fellow VO members.
Sign up here.
