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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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| Jan Feb | Throughout the month of Jan. and Feb.- We will cross country ski as snow conditions permit us to do so. A notice will be sent out to BOC members when we decide to have a pickup trip.We can fix you up with skis and boots also. Joyce Appel and Paul Henry 724-526-5407 | |
| Feb 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 February 3rd when Sandra Simpson her husband Jim Sorenson will show slides and speak about their experience assisting in the recovery of the Breitling Orbiter 3 gondola, balloon canopy (not crew) and equipment. The Orbiter 3 was the first successful manned around the world balloon flight. This recovery took place in the Western Desert of Egypt in March of 1999. It took 500 miles to get there from Cairo with more than 100 of that by 4x4 off road in nearly impassible conditions. There is some information about the Breitling Orbiter at the following website: http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/GAL100/breitling.htm | |
| Feb 13 | The Great Backyard Bird Count Here’s an opportunity to learn the basics of bird identification and feeding, while contributing to research about bird populations. Join Jennings and the Bartramian Audubon Society for an informative birding session. Observe and count birds at the feeders and find out how to contribute data to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Use your new skills to observe birds and submit your own data at home. This program is designed for ages 12 and up. Please register by contacting the Center at 724-794-6011 by February 5. Phone 724-794-6011 | |
| Feb 13 14 | Anyone interested in winter camping at Oil Creek State Park/ Cow Run/ Shelter #5 and #6 on February 13th should meet at the Petroleum Center Parking lot at 10:00 Am. At that time a decision will be made to hike in with gear/hike with gear sledded in from the road access lot (1.5 miles from shelters)/ or hike in from the road access area. I will bring 5 gal of water and a slitting maul for wood. I will also have panels for the sides of the shelters to keep most of the wind and snow out. Contact me for more information. Dave Myers 724-588-2767 | |
| Feb 13 | We will arrive about 7 AM to start the fire and warm up the Chapman Dam State Park "warming hut". This is next to the sled riding hill at the end of the main park road. When you arrive and leave is up to you. The ANF chapter will provide coffee, hot chocolate, and hot dogs. Everyone is welcome to bring a pass-around dessert dish. If we don't have snow on the 13th, I will try to notify everyone well in advance and try again for the 28th. | |
| Feb 13 | Ski for Free day at Two Mile Run County Park, cross country ski, lessons every hour, reservations required. 814.676.6166 or www.twomilerun.net | |
| Feb 20 | Cherry Pie Hike Feb. 20, 2010 - Follow George Washington's footsteps with the Butler Outdoor Club and Butler Chapter of North Country Trail Association to commemorate his birthday. Meet at the Old Stone House 10 AM, north of Butler, on Rt. 8. There will be a short hike and longer hike on the old Venango Trail, now part of the North Country Trail. There will also be a free presentation on George Washington with cherry pie and drink at the Old Stone House. For evening meal, go for optional dinner at the North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock. For details, call John Stehle 724-283-0191 or Dan Mourer 724-445-3315 and we need to know how many cherry pies to make! | |
| Feb 27 | 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 6 | Join Paul Henry and Joyce Appel to do short outdoor presetations (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 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 | |
| Apr 23 25 | Keystone Trails Association Spring Meeting and Hiking Weekend, Wellsboro, Tioga County, PA. Lots of great hikes, presentations and displays. | |
| May 8 | First Annual Moraine Preservation Fund 5k race/2 mile walk Saturday May 8, 2010 9 AM North Shore Moraine State Park Timing & results provided by The Runner's High of Grove City, PA $25 fee includes tee shirt and race packet For more information, 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 28 31 | BOC Annual Outdoor Extravaganza 3 days of fun filled outdoor activities. | |
| 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 ˝ 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 |
Last Updated on Feb 2, 2009
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