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When participating in Butler Outdoor Club events, it is assumed that all participants are responsible for their own safety and of their dependents(such as children) at the event. The facilitator is simply providing an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the event together and is not assuming responsibility or liability for the safety of the participants.
Outing Leader Event Log | ||
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| Mar 3 |
Our monthly meetings are 6:30 pm social hour, 7:30 pm announcements and 8:00 program on the first Wed. of each month usually at the Butler YMCA, 339 N. Washington, St. Butler, Pa. Each meeting includes outing announcements, a featured speaker and slide show or outdoor educational program and is open to the public. Join us on March 3 when Julie Elkins, PA Communications Coordinator for the NCTA, will be the speaker at the March meeting. Julie is an AmeriCorps member serving the four PA chapters of the NCTA from November 2009 through mid-August, 2010. She is an honors graduate of Penn State Behrend, in Erie, PA, with majors in Political Science and Psychology and minors in International Studies and Civic and Community Engagement. Julie is originally from the North Sewickley area, graduating from Riverside High School in Beaver County. Julie hopes to attend graduate school this fall; she plans to pursue studies in water resource science, management, and policy. Julie will be giving a presentation titled "Communications 101: Five tricks of the trade that will help you increase visibility and bring new interest to your organization." She will be sharing tips about using social networking tools, taking your photography to the next level, and reaching out to potential new members. Come out on March 3 to meet Julie, learn about what she's doing for the NCTA, and brush up on your promotion skills! | |
| Mar 6 | Join Paul Henry and Joyce Appel to do short outdoor presentations (10-20 min) at the Moraine Trails Council Yukon Rush winter event. This is a great time for the cub scouts to come out in the snow and cold and have fun and learn about new things. Some info about the event: • The event is Sat March 6th • Last year we had 300+ adults, scouts and siblings. • The age range is from 6 to 12. • The time is not hammered out yet but it is usually 8-1pm. • It will be at the Butler Airport. • There is indoor (hanger) and outdoor space. Email Joyce at joyceappel@windstream.net or call 724.526.5407 | |
| Mar 19 20 |
The Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania is having our 12th Annual Bluebird Conference this year and I would like to invite everyone to our Conference.
12th Annual BSP Conference to be held at the Penn Stater Hotel, State College, PA March 19 & 20, 2010
Bird and nature fans are invited to join members of the Bluebird Society of PA . This event is open to the public and offers an opportunity for families, students and people of all ages to discover the wonders of Bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species. Educational offerings at the conference include presentations by the BSP President, Harry Schmeider, Bluebirds | |
| Mar 20 |
Tour de NCTA of PA stage 10 With the arrival of spring we are ready to resume our Tour de NCT of PA by doing the last section in Butler County, the section that passes through Stage Game Lands 95 and that goes through Parker and crosses the Allegheny River. This section is very interesting for a couple of reasons. It goes through beautiful Hemlock woods and has a couple of nice overlooks. And a special treat are two bridges built by Dan Mourer with help from the Butler Chapter and many others in the PA Council of the NCTA. These bridges are long (48 feet) and cool because of their arch shape. The first bridge is near the El Dorado Road Trail Head and the other is at the Eastern end of the game lands. One other nice point is that the trail was laid out through the gamelands by Dan and Peggy Mourer's son, Ben, as an Eagle Scout project. I think you will agree he did an excellent job. We will be road walking through Parker, the smallest city in the USA. At the foot of the hill the trail crosses the Allegheny River, at which point the trail drops down to the rail-to-trail. The NCT stays on the rail-to-trail following the river to Foxburg, for a total of about 8 miles. This hike will be in conjunction with a community hike which the Butler Chapter is sponsoring. We hope to have a some new hikers along with us, hopefully some local people who want to learn about the NCT. Afterward you may want to have something to eat at the Foxburg Inn, or some of the other nice eateries in the area. The plan is to meet at the Foxburg plaza right across the Rt 58 bridge, on the east side of the river at 9:30 AM, Saturday, March 20, 2010. We will then shuttle to the El Dorado trailhead and walk the 8 miles back to Foxburg. Time: Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 - 9:30 AM. Place: Foxburg plaza parking lot, just across the Rt 58 bridge. RSVP is requested for notification of changes - but is not necessary. See you there. | |
| Mar 21 | Raccoongaine Sunday, March 21, 2010 Raccoon Creek State Park (30 miles West of Pittsburgh) 3 hour and 6 hour foot race "mini" rogaine In a rogaine-style format, individuals or teams have a fixed time (3 or 6 hours in this event) to visit as many checkpoints as possible walking, running and resting as they see fit. The checkpoints are spread over a large area, and are pre-marked on a map issued shortly before the start of the event. Point values for visiting each control vary (and are specified in advance) depending on such factors as distance from the start/finish area, elevation, navigational complexity and the whims of the course setter. Participants in a Rogaine come from diverse backgrounds: adventure racers, hikers, walkers, cross-country runners, trail runners, ultra runners, orienteerers, and family groups. Widely varying levels of competitive intensity are found, going from the casual stroller who wants a little variety added to the weekend hike to the serious athlete. Map reading skill is perhaps the most important technique needed. Route planning strategy is also very important since there won’t be time to get all the controls, so the choice of which to try for is crucial in maximizing scores. Time: Event start at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The registration desk opens at 8:30 AM. Maps will be distributed at 9:00 AM. There is a mandatory meeting at 9:45 AM at the start location for all participants. Organizers: Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club- website: www.WPOC.org Start/Finish area: Rec Hall in Raccoon Creek State Park. Located 30 miles West of Pittsburgh, near the town of Frankfort Springs. Rec Hall is located 1.5 miles west of the park headquarters, located on route 18. Directions: from Pittsburgh, take Parkway West (I-376) in direction towards the airport. Change to Route 22 West, and exit at Route 18. Follow Route 18 for 5 miles to the north to park headquarters, and follow signs and road for 1.5 miles West to Rec Hall Provided Equipment: A special-purpose topographic map on a large sheet at a 1:15,000 scale and 5 meter contour interval with a clear plastic bag will be provided to each participant. In addition, to each team or solo competitor, a punch card and a set of control descriptions are also provided. Water is available at the base camp and at selected points marked on the map. Food will be available at end of event. Reccomended equipment: compass, whistle, water bottle or camelbak, watch, snack food, sunscreen. Rules: No GPS systems with map display are permitted (only systems that simply record for later downloading to see route followed). No help from others is allowed during the race away from the base camp. If in a team, team members must stay within sight and speaking distance throughout the event. Checkpoints: Each checkpoint is marked by an orange/white control, a triangular prism with sides approximately one foot square. The control flags will usually be visible from some distance, not intentionally concealed, but also not in view of trails or roads.. There will be about 50 control points distributed in the state park area. Scoring: The point value of all control points visited is totaled. The late penalty will be 10 points for every minute late. Tie scores will be decided by the order of finishing times. Awards Categories: award categories for teams and solo competitors will be Men, Women, Mixed, Masters (over age 40), Super veterans (over age 55). Fees: Entries postmarked by 3/11/2010 will pay a fee of $25 per person for the 6-hr events and $15 for the 3 hour event. After that date, the fees are $35 for the 6-hr event, and $25 for the 3-hr event. Race day registration is allowed. Registration: Teams of 2-5 people or Solo competitor may register. Mail your entry with Team (or Solo) name, names of members, emergency phone number for each person, e-mail address, to WPOC c/o Jim Wolfe, 1904 Bates Drive, Johnstown, PA 15905. Checks should be made out to “WPOC”. e-mail of the registrar at jlwolfe@atlanticbb.net. Each person will be required to sign a waiver of responsibility at the event. Event detail and forms at www.wpoc.org website, click on "Schedule" link, find event. Yahoo group created for this event, for communication between entrants or potential entrants ahead of the meet (people looking for a partner, looking for a ride, etc.), and for a chance to compare notes on your performance and strategy after the meet. The web site is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RaccoonGaine | |
| Mar 26 | Moonlight Skis - 7:00pm ski hut Oil Creek State Park - take skis, headlamp, snack for get-together at ski hut after skiing, incase of no snow hike will be held; free; 814.676.5915 | |
| Mar 27 | Don't miss the spring migration of ducks and geese and all manner of waterfowl on Saturday, March 27, 2010. I have arranged for hundreds of birds to be at Lake Arthur at that time. They are down south getting ready to make the trip even now. Meet at 10:00 am at the Bird observation deck, at Moraine SP, near the 528/422 entrance to the park. We will go to the varous spots around Lake Arthur until 1:00. We can grab a lunch someplace afterwards. I plan to go out earlier and stay out later, so if you care to join me in the earlier time, call me to arrange a time and place. RSVP for schedule changes - stehles@yahoo.com - 724-256-0674. | |
| Apr 23 25 | Keystone Trails Association Spring Meeting and Hiking Weekend, Wellsboro, Tioga County, PA. Lots of great hikes, presentations and displays. | |
| May 8 | Moraine Preservation Fund 5k Race & 2 Mile Walk 9am Saturday May 8, 2010 North Shore Moraine State Park $25 (non-refundable) per entrant fee includes T-shirt and race packet. Timing and results provided by The Runners High of Grove City, PA. Sponsored by Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau. Awards - Medals: Top 3 Male and Female Overall Top 3 Male and Female in the following Age Groups: 14 and under, 15-19 , 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over Race Day registration and sign-in will begin @ 7:30 AM Mail form and entry fee to: MPF- 5K Race-2 Mile Walk 118 North Shore Drive Portersville, PA 16051 724.368.9185 For more information goto www.morainepreservationfund.org For questions or to volunteer to help, please contact: Jack Oris jackoris@hotmail.com | |
| May 16 22 | Gene Wilhelm, BOC Outstanding Contributor nominee in 2009, is leading a nature study trip to the eastern shore. It is billed as follows: ECO-EXPEDITION – EASTERN SHORE for more information email genewilhelm@aol.com | |
| May 22 | North Country Trail Shuttle Service MPF’s Nautical Nature will provide summer shuttle service between the Route 528 bridge and McDanels Launch on Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm from McDanels Launch or 1:30 from the 528 Launch. Hikers can ride the boat one way then hike the North Country Trail (NCT) 9.5 miles back at their leisure. Kicking off the new shuttle service on May 22, all hikers will receive a $1 discount on the $3 per person normal shuttle rate. Reservations must be made for pick up at 528. At noon that day NCT representative Julie Elkins will be set up in front of the gift shop to talk about the trail and answer questions. The gift shop will feature a new NCT corner with NCT logo merchandise. Maps of the trail, hats, t-shirts, medallions and hand-made walking sticks will be highlighted. Check it out. Do you know at what mile point we are located between North Dakota and New York? | |
| May 28 31 | BOC Annual Outdoor Extravaganza 3 days of fun filled outdoor activities. | |
| Jun 18 20 | ALLEGHENY 100 “The Ultimate Hiking Challenge” The Challenge: Hike 100 miles in 2 days. (Actually 50 hours) Where: North Country National Scenic Trail across the Allegheny National Forest from NY border to SR 66 south of Marienville PA When: Friday, June 18, 2010 6 PM thru Sunday, June 20, 2010 8PM How: Hike, not bike or run. This is the ultimate endurance challenge. This is NOT a race. Who: Anyone who wants to test themselves against the trail. What: “What” is for you to answer? What do you get from this? Membership in the NCTA to support the trail and a tee-shirt. Options: 25 and 50 mile hikes available too. Still get shirt and membership. Register: Three ways: via email, snail mail or phone. Cost: $30.00 All proceeds to go to NCTA. You BYOF, BYOB, gear, etc. We provide support… Contact: nct001@verizon.net ; bnemcik@yahoo.com ; 814-927-8303 | |
| Jun 19 | The fourteenth annual Rachel Carson Trail Challenge is on June 19, 2010, the Saturday nearest the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The Challenge is a 34-mile long, one-day, sunrise to sunset endurance hike on nearly the entire brutal Rachel Carson Trail. Unlike a footrace, the "challenge" is not to come in first or win, but to endure, to finish the hike in one day. This time, the Challenge starts in Harrison Hills County Park and ends 34 miles later in North Park. for more information goto http://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/rct/challenge/rctc10 | |
| Jul 9 10 | Morrison Run Backpacking/Paddling Trip on 7/9/10-7/12/10 Backpackers will meet at the Trailhead off of Rt. 59 at a time of their choice. Paddlers will meet at the southern end of Red Bridge on Rt 321 North of Kane at 10:00 AM on 7/9/10. Put in will be on the western side of the bridge if there is enough water.(other arrangements may have to be made such as the north end of Red Bridge). Unload gear and boats there and then park vehicles at the Longhouse Trail Head for the North Country Trail about 100 yds. south of the bridge. Paddle to Morrison Run Camp Ground (about 2 ½ hrs) to site #24 and #25 (if available) in the Morrison Bay area. More sites may be needed depending on participation. Sites are $10 per night. Bear bags are required as is a water bag to bring water back to camp for purification. Exploration of the area i.e. hiking, bird watching, fishing, paddling to other locations, and just relaxing are in order for the stay. We had a bear making the rounds between camp sites last year so plan accordingly. John Stehle should have some of the information packets from last year available. For more info and to sign up call Dave Myers 724-588-2767. | |
| Aug 5 8 | 2010 North Country Trail Annual Conference at Ashland, Wisconsin. The weekend will provide interesting workshops, hiking in the woods of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and three nights of entertainment and good food. Add to this, time to spend with friends, old and new, and beautiful sunsets on Lake Superior. Come on Tuesday, August 3, for a two night back packing trip or on Thursday, August 5, for a Chain Saw Certification Workshop. Bring your family to enjoy the Kids and Family Programs at the Great Lakes Visitors Center or just to have fun at the indoor water park at the AmericInn. Explore the Apostle Islands, Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island, orchards and artists of Bayfield and murals and the lakefront of Ashland. The Great Lakes Visitors Center, alone, is worth the visit. We have rooms blocked at the AmericInn and the Crest Motel but there are a number of other choices for accommodations and places to camp. | |
| Sep 3 7 | The BRING ON THE BRIDGE II will be held from Sept 3-Sept 7 with rustic camping about 10 miles from the Mackinac Bridge. This bridge is 5 miles long and is the connector between Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas. This bridge is actually part of the NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL and is in that section of the trail maintained by the HSS Chapter (although we let the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Mackinac Bridge Authority maintain that section for us) :-) . You may camp the entire four days scheduled or just part of those days set aside for the event. For more information email De Witt, Marv/Charlene at kc8mld@lighthouse.net | |
| Sep 3 7 | Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run (York & Lancaster Counties): The Keystone Trails Association will host the second annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Join KTA for the 28.4-mile trail challenge for adventurous hikers and trail runners on the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. The course follows the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails and features spectacular river views including Urey Overlook, House Rock Vista and Pinnacle Overlook, and scenic hollows like Oakland Run, Tucquan Glen and Kelly’s Run. There are over 10 significant climbs and descents along the route with total elevation change exceeding 8,000 feet. Visit www.kta-hike.org for more information or to register online. Volunteers are needed for the second Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2010. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration (Friday evening and Saturday morning), parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 100 volunteers are needed. Please contact Becky at 717.238.7017 or ktaadmin@verizon.net for more information. |
Last Updated on Feb 26, 2010
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