News (blog)

There are 2 upcoming opportunities to take a Leave No Trace TRAINER Course and become an LNT TRAINER.

Both courses are being held April 9 and 10, in two separate, relatively-local locations, at low cost.

The USFS is a long-time supporter and sponsor of LNT, and we have a goal as a Forest to increase our skills in LNT.

These are LNT TRAINER courses  (2 days including 1 overnight), and are less comprehensive or intense than an LNT MASTER EDUCATOR course (5 days, 4 overnites).  However -- it is super good training and skills.   And qualifies you to teach LNT Awareness to others.

Particularly valuable to those folks involved in Trails or Wilderness or Outdoor Education.

Also, we are currently working with the Cherokee National Forest to set up an LNT TRAINER course next fall, late October or early November, possibly with a Frontcountry emphasis, either on the MRNRA or in Northeast Tennessee.

Additional info on LNT and MASTERS and TRAINERS is at LNT.org.

These 2 courses:

1.  April 9-10,  at Shenandoah National Park, sponsored by Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Trail Patrol.  $65, limited to 8.  Contact Cindy Kelly (TPLNT@patc.net) or 410-939-5029.  Info at the training link at patc.net.

2.  April 9-10, Claytor Lake Nature Center, Bedford, VA.  Sponsored by Lynchburg College, Outdoor Leadership Program.  $65.  More info and link is below.

http://www.lynchburg.edu/x23342.xml

If you are an ATC member, check out the Jan-Feb  issue of Journeys Magazine.  On page 16 is an article about the Vj2011 conference coming up in July.   

I have started a hiking blog of some of my outdoor experiences
and some gear reviews. Come join me at www.christianhiker@blogspot.com

Short hike in Blue Mountains to a waterfall.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and seven Virginia AT clubs are privileged to host the 38^th Biennial Conference of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, with a projected participation of 800+.

Emory & Henry College, located within a few miles from Damascus, VA, the “friendliest town on the trail", will be the center of this very exciting event.  Virginia Journeys 2011 will begin on Friday, July 1, 2011 and run through Friday, July 8.   Hiking, water sports, biking, workshops and entertainment will fill your week with the pleasures of the beautiful Virginia mountains and fellowship with other A.T. enthusiasts. The conference is offering a variety of activities to entertain and educate your entire family.  There will be events suited for children as well as activities for  thru-hikers and  casual hikers.    To relax after a long day of hiking and biking, the conference will be providing local entertainment every evening with a very special guest entertainer on Saturday night.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our meeting to night.  Remember to bring your oatmeal cookies or at least your appetite so we don't have to bring any cookies home.

Jess Barton: Climb Against the Odds

As an avid hiker and outdoors woman, Climb Against the Odds sparked my interest immediately. Hiking for Breast Cancer Prevention? ... SIGN ME UP! Also, having a great love and concern for environmental issues, I was further compelled to participate in the Climb Against the Odds because of the Breast Cancer Fund works to identify – and advocate for elimination of – the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease. Can you believe that a woman today has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? Can you further believe that only 10% of breast cancer occurrences are due to a genetic predisposition to the disease? In fact, when all known risk factors and characteristics are added together, including family history, genetics, smoking and obesity, more than 50% of breast cancer cases remain unexplained.