VO to Propel Conservation Efforts

A new collaboration will rally support for environmental organizations

Conservation organizations in Western Pennsylvania have gained a new set of tools to engage the public. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Colcom Foundation, Venture Outdoors will launch their “Environmental Catalyst Program,” a movement to use their portable climbing walls, kayaks, hiking trips, bike tours, and even snowshoe outings to showcase environmental efforts in the region.

These new programs will combine the social camaraderie of a Venture Outdoors outing with the inside knowledge of conservation biologists and naturalists, who can tell the natural history and human history stories of their nature preserves. Funding will also help sites develop improved infrastructure to welcome future visitors.
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Leadership training that fits your schedule!

Mohandas K. Gandhi said that, “…leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.” Starting October 29, 2009, learn how to get along with people and other vital leadership skills with our new our Leadership Training Modules.

We’ve extracted key elements from our outdoor leadership weekend and broken them down into three modules. Each module focuses on developing a specific set of leadership skills and is designed for a more general audience. Anyone can register, not just those with outdoor or environmental interests.

Each module is $20.00 for Venture Outdoors Members and $27.00 of non-members. Venture Outdoors Members can sign up for the whole series for just $50. Both established and would-be leaders are encouraged to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity.

Module 1 – Understanding Yourself and Your Group
The first module focuses on the dynamic that exists between leader and group. It emphasizes how to understand the basic needs and emotions of a group. Further examination of how those needs can change over the course of an activity and how to manage those changes are also covered. Additionally, the module explores what it takes to be an effective leader, including different leadership styles and when to employ them.
Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

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Fishing season extended for enthusiastic angler

Fishing season wasn’t cut short for Chet Tabas and the Venture Outdoors’ TriAnglers, but it could have been. The season was destined to end prematurely due to lack of funding. However, thanks to a generous donation from his mother, Carol Tabas, the season continued until September 30. She has also provided some funding for next season.

TriAnglers is very important to Tabas. He is an enthusiastic fisherman who has been joining the weekly fishing group for three years. TriAnglers, a weekly program of Venture Outdoors, meets at the North Shore Riverfront Park every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Tabas is joined by fishermen and women of every skill level who spend their lunch breaks doing some serious fishing.
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Cyclists Raise Money to Close Gap in GAP

June bike tour participants raise $500 to close the gap in the Great Allegheny Passage

(Pittsburgh, PA) On June 13-20, 2009, Venture Outdoors (VO), a local non-profit organization, led a group of 15 cyclists on a 318-mile trip from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Participants on the 8-day bike tour helped raise $500 to close the gap between McKeesport and Pittsburgh along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).

The bike tour began in Washington, DC on the C & O Canal Towpath, connected to the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in McKeesport, PA. Cyclists finished their journey with a shuttle ride from McKeesport to Pittsburgh.

In the future, cyclists will be able to bike all the way from Cumberland to Pittsburgh without interruption thanks to the efforts of the Allegheny Trail Association (ATA), a coalition of seven trail associations in Pennsylvania and Maryland responsible for completing and maintaining the motor-free trail from Cumberland to Pittsburgh.
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Free Family Outdoors Festival to be held at Mellon Park

Venture Outdoors Family and Community Programs Initiative continues with festivals throughout city

(Pittsburgh, PA) – A free Family Outdoors Festival will be held Saturday, July 25 at Mellon Park as part of the Venture Outdoors Family and Community Programs Initiative, which includes a series of free festivals held throughout the city this season.

The Mellon Park Family Outdoors Festival is another proactive step in the Family and Community Programs Initiative. This multi-year Initiative seeks to reach families in diverse communities through outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship programs.

Festival activities will include the Climb Pittsburgh rock climbing wall, geocaching, bike rides, children’s art activities sponsored by the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Pitt African Drumming Ensemble.
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Get Climbing, Pittsburgh

Outdoor organization makes it easy and affordable to try rock climbing this summer

(Pittsburgh, PA – July 8, 2009) – Over 5,000 Pittsburghers are already taking advantage of the many outdoor activities provided by Venture Outdoors. Starting this summer, Climb Pittsburgh, a project of Venture Outdoors, has set up a temporary home for their rock climbing wall on Pittsburgh’s North Side, allowing groups and individuals many opportunities to try this exciting sport.

Rock wall climbing is quickly becoming a challenging addition to many fitness programs and can provide organizations with team building exercises. And they encourage would-be climbers to try a high energy sport in a safe, controlled environment.
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Free Family Festival to be held at Frick Park

Venture Outdoors Family and Community Programs Initiative continues with festivals throughout city

(Pittsburgh, PA) – A free Family Outdoors Festival will be held Saturday, June 20 at Frick Park as the first of three similar events to be held throughout the city as part of the Venture Outdoors Family and Community Program Initiative.

The Frick Park Family Outdoors Festival will become another proactive step in the Family and Community Programs Initiative. The initiative seeks to increase the diversity of the of the outdoors community through a series of progressive steps to include minority populations in outdoor recreation.
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Free kayaking at Lake Elizabeth sponsored by nrg

Free Kayaking at Kayak Pittsburgh – Lake Elizabeth on Saturday, June 6
Money raised from teen-led Ultimate Frisbee ® tournament will provide for 150 free kayak sessions.

(Pittsburgh, PA) On Saturday, June 6, youth and families will be the beneficiaries of money raised by a teen-led Ultimate Frisbee® tournament held during Global Youth Service Day, by taking part in free kayaking at Allegheny Commons, Lake Elizabeth.

The first 150 participants will be eligible to receive free kayak sessions as part of Venture Outdoor’s Kayak Pittsburgh program. Kayaking begins at 11 a.m. at Lake Elizabeth, located inside the Allegheny Commons across the street from the National Aviary on Pittsburgh’s Northside.
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Beyond Bikes Day Celebrated with Free Cycling Event

With Major Taylor Cycling Club and Kingsley Association, Venture Outdoors continues Family and Community Program Initiative to engage minority populations in outdoor recreation.

(Pittsburgh, PA) – A free family bike extravaganza, Beyond Bikes Day, will offer introduction to cycling through rides led by the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club. Bike safety inspections will be provided by Bike Pittsburgh and Free Ride Youth Programs.

The event will be held Saturday, May 30, at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. This particular event will encourage biking as a family-friendly activity, as well as showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh, particularly the bike lane along East Liberty Boulevard. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day, including kids’ bikes and biking gear.
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Pedal, Paddle, Peduto

New Creative Policy Discussion Series Launches

PITTSBURGH – What happens when you mix outdoor activities with public policy discussions, while enjoying Pittsburgh’s natural beauty and amenities? You get Pedal, Paddle, Peduto. This summer, Venture Outdoors and Councilman William Peduto have joined forces to create a unique new opportunity for people to hike, bike, and kayak through Pittsburgh, while also learning about riverfront development, civic design, architecture, urban design, and the environment.

What: Press Conference Announcing Launch of Pedal, Paddle, Peduto
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 1:00 PM
Where: Market Square

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