April 2011 Blog Posts (20)

Tree's knees and gnats at Congaree National Park

Cypress trees surrounded by a small forest of "knees" in the Congaree National Park near Columbia, S.C.

GADSDEN, S.C. -- We drove to Congaree National Park -- an old-growth swampy forest -- thinking alligators. We should have been thinking gnats.

At the visitors center, the sign… Continue

Added by Christopher Frear on April 30, 2011 at 6:08pm — No Comments

Give Him A Day! The Indoctrination of Gabe

It seems only fitting with Outdoor Nation's focus on youth that I share the indoctrination of my own son, Gabe, to the natural world that he will enjoy throughout his life.

Gabe wanders up to my fly tying desk, crawls into my lap, and asks “what are you doing?” Even though he is only 3 years old, he knows… Continue

Added by Paul Stillmank on April 29, 2011 at 5:18am — No Comments

How the 2010 Outdoor Nation Youth Summit Changed my Life

Before the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in NYC last year, I wasn’t a leader. I was a quiet dreamer. I had visions about changing the world and connecting people with the outdoors, but I was afraid to get anything started. Afraid to be in charge. Too shy to speak up. I was afraid to fail.…

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Added by stefanie michaelson on April 27, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

National Park Photos

Added by Sarah on April 26, 2011 at 10:30pm — 3 Comments

Trash Hunt

Give six people one box of trash bags and two and a half hours...

The result:

*thirteen bags filled with cans, beer bottles, diapers, wrappers, lost shoes, bullet shells and everything else you can imagine

*four tires

*one sled

*a flatscreen t.v.

*and our favorite, a microwave.

Location:

Farmington Canyon, Wasatch Cache National Forest.…

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Added by Maren Nilsen on April 25, 2011 at 7:30pm — 2 Comments

Peachtree Rock near Columbia, S.C.

The old man sits at the trailhead of Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve near Columbia, S.C., patiently carving hewn sparkberry limbs into walking sticks, but waiting anxiously to spin you tales of decades past. He tells of an alcohol still busted up by revenoors 50-plus years ago near the odd-looking… Continue

Added by Christopher Frear on April 23, 2011 at 4:00pm — 2 Comments

America’s First State Parks

State parks are protected areas of land that are managed by a particular state’s government, whereas national parks are managed by the federal government. Who thought up this idea? Where was the first state park established? There are a few contenders claiming to be THE first one.…

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Added by Kimberly Banzhaf on April 23, 2011 at 2:02pm — 1 Comment

Mother Nature's Child

I just heard about this film through my school. They are showing it, unfortunately I won't be able to attend. Has anyone else heard about it?

http://www.mothernaturesmovie.com/the-film/

Added by Kimberly Wall on April 18, 2011 at 3:07pm — No Comments

Volunteerism in State Parks

People that frequent state parks usually have a favorite park, or at least a top five. Those visitors usually love "their" park SO much that they try to find ways to spend as much time there as possible. If they don't have time to get a job at that park, they typically end up volunteering there.

Volunteers are a huge part of making state parks successful. Some people even offer up to 500 hours a year of volunteer time! Those visitors feel how special "their" park is, and want to… Continue

Added by Kimberly Banzhaf on April 15, 2011 at 11:30am — No Comments

Appalachian Mountain Club new job

Hi all--if you haven't already, please check out this new position at the Appalachian Mountain Club in Boston. It's a terrific, senior leadership opportunity for someone to create synergy among AMC's current outdoor education and other programming while growing a significant new strategic commitment to getting kids outside.

Thanks for helping us spread the word!

Vice… Continue

Added by Carolyn on April 14, 2011 at 4:35pm — No Comments

Hocking Hills

So I've decided to visit the Infamous Hocking Hills State Parks this weekend. I'm so excited!! Trying to rangle up some cash for Horseback Riding and Canopy Tours!! Maybe I could set up a paypal donate site :P J/k! I'll post Pictures soon!!

Added by Katy Swartz on April 12, 2011 at 10:07pm — No Comments

Sleeping Under the Aurora Borealis

Sleeping Under the Aurora Borealis

Friday, 08 April 2011 16:29

Written by Administrator

A few nights ago we decided to sleep under the stars. We were near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and the weather was warm. Fortunately for us, there were not many clouds in the sky. While laying in my sleeping bag before drifting off to sleep I glanced up at the sky. Streaks of green light shimmered and danced above me. Northern lights (or aurora borealis) are a common… Continue

Added by Amy Freeman on April 12, 2011 at 6:24pm — 1 Comment

State Park Closures: An Unforntunate Trend

Admit it. There are some parks that you just can't avoid visiting year after year. You get a little giddy as your annual visit gets closer, interested to see if the snow has already melted or if you'll see a bobcat this year. But what happens when you realize that you will no longer be able to visit your favorite park because it no longer exists, at least within "the system"?

Each year, more and more state parks are put on trial. Which parks are "worth" keeping open and which aren't.… Continue

Added by Kimberly Banzhaf on April 8, 2011 at 11:25pm — No Comments

Ceiling of Stars

On April first I began my season of camping under the stars. In Northern Utah this is crazy, because today it's snowing, and we're expecting more snow, but my friend Jeff and I were determined to go without the tent no matter the weather. Luckily the man upstairs was looking out for us and we reaped the benefits of a warm front, right before a storm came in. The temp was high enough that I wore shorts! I still had a winter jacket, but my legs were plenty warm. (maybe I'm just that… Continue

Added by Paul Carter on April 8, 2011 at 10:40pm — 1 Comment

Meet the Ambassadors: Sarah & Eric McNair-Landry

Outdoor Nation has the most dedicated team of ambassadors you'll ever encounter! For the complete list, click here.

What happens when a brother and sister adventure team decides to raise awareness of the outdoors and global impacts on the environment? You get Pittarak Expeditions and a 10-week kite-skiing tour across the historic Northwest Passage, that’s what!…

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Added by stefanie michaelson on April 8, 2011 at 3:30pm — No Comments

500 Free T-shirts? How about 763?

Outdoor Nation is now giving free t-shirts to the first 763 members!! So invite your friends and you can all go out in matching t-shirts! Tell people you’re quadruplets.

Why? There are nearly 500 members on Outdoor Nation. So freaking awesome you guys! Thank you so much for joining and inviting your friends. Who knew the launch of our new website would be so off the hook?!

Well, we don’t want to stop giving away free t-shirts, and to be honest, yours truly has become… Continue

Added by stefanie michaelson on April 8, 2011 at 12:30pm — No Comments

travel blog

For the last 6 months of 2010 I was overseas and traveling around Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. I blogged while I was out there and made a website, if you are interested, take a look :)

sheekhippie.blogspot.com

sheekhippietravel.weebly.com

Added by Brooke Broderick on April 5, 2011 at 1:23pm — No Comments

Tentless and Content

Since the weather has been so nice and Springy today and yesterday (more like just yesterday with clouds rolling in as I type) I pulled out my new Grand Trunk Hammock and Travel Pillow that I have been dying to use all Winter. Despite there only being two little bushy willow trees in the backyard, I was… Continue

Added by Maren Nilsen on April 2, 2011 at 6:00pm — 4 Comments

What is GTFO?

Get the Fun Outside, of course! What did you think it meant?! ;)

There’s definitely room for interpretation when it comes to GTFO. On a personal level, it’s my rally cry. When I’ve been working too hard indoors, sitting on the couch too long, or just find myself in bad mood… GTFO is my answer to all that.

On a community level, Outsiders know GTFO is a motto you can live by. GTFO is the lifestyle we choose. We get the fun outside, hanging out with the peeps every chance we… Continue

Added by stefanie michaelson on April 2, 2011 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Operation State Parks

Growing up I always wanted to wear tan, a wide brimmed hat, and say that Smokey Bear was my best friend. Working as a National Park Ranger was my dream job. I honestly didn't think twice about the value of the state parks.

I grew up a bit, learned what all is included in being a park ranger and that anything involving law enforcement just wasn't for me. I continued my degree in environmental science with hopes that something outdoor related would land in my lap. And it… Continue

Added by Kimberly Banzhaf on April 2, 2011 at 12:07am — 3 Comments

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