Outdoor Action Newsletter

February - March '00

Last page update 03/07/00

Activities Training Resources

 

 

OA Office has Moved!

The Outdoor Action Office, with the Princeton-Blairstown Center, has moved once again. Our new location is the first floor of the Helm Building, at 330 Alexander Road. The Helm Building is a 4-story office building between the Sunoco Station and the Rusty Scupper on Alexander Rd. We have much more space than ever before, including a great library. Please stop in and visit us!

Kayaking

Beginners Kayaking Eskimo Roll Classes

Winter is an excellent time to learn kayaking and a warm pool is the best place to learn how to Eskimo Roll (righting the kayak if you flip). Beginners will learn the Eskimo Roll and basic strokes. There will be two beginners classes, one from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. and the other from 9:00 - 10:30 p.m. on Sunday nights starting on February 13. Only sign up if you can attend all the classes. Participants are required to attend the Eskimo Roll Video on Sunday, February 13 at 5:00 p.m. in McCosh 62. Course fee: students $45.00, faculty/staff $60.00.

Section 1: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Section 2: 9:00 - 10:30 p.m.
February 13, 20, 27, and March 5

Grace Under Pressure - The Kayak Eskimo Roll

The Eskimo roll is an essential skill for kayakers, whether you tour on open water, sea kayak, or whitewater. This video gives step by step instructions on how to master the roll including excellent underwater photography.

Sunday, February 13, 5 - 6 p.m., McCosh 62

Winter Hiking

Winter Hiking (Snowshoeing) Day Trip

Feel like you've been stuck inside for too long? Embrace the winter and join us on a snowshoe hike on trails in northern New Jersey. We will focus on learning proper winter hiking techniques and enjoying winter. If there is snow, the trip will use snowshoes. Trip fee: students $12.00, faculty/staff $15.00.

Saturday, February 19

Rock Climbing

Introduction to Rock Climbing Course

If you are interested in learning to rock climb, then this 2-week course will teach you all the essential techniques of climbing, including tying in, belaying and specific climbing techniques like weight shifting, stemming, and laybacks. The course will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Climbing Wall on February 14, 16, 21 and 23 with a Climbing Field Trip on Sunday, February 27 to the Philadelphia Rock Gym. Course fee: Students $65.00, faculty/staff $90.00.

OA Climbing Wall

The Outdoor Action Climbing Wall is an indoor rock climbing practice facility located in the Armory next to Jadwin Gym. The Climbing Wall allows beginners to learn basic climbing skills, while intermediate and advanced climbers can work on refining their technical abilities. There will be experienced instructors there to teach skills and assist people in solving particular climbing routes. The Climbing Wall is open only to students, faculty, and staff of Princeton University. PUID required. Children of members of the University community are allowed to climb only with a parent present. All climbers are required to sign a waiver. The Climbing Wall is open the following times during the academic year except during breaks and final exams.

Open Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 _ 10:00 p.m.

To climb at the Wall you can either pay for a pass each day or buy a Wall Card (a great deal if you climb more than once a week). In order to let you try this great sport "before you buy," new climbers can check out the wall for one free afternoon during open hours.

In order to purchase a card you must have your University ID. Cards can be purchased at the Climbing Wall. Payment is by cash, checks or University billing.

Bring Your Group to the Wall

If you want a fun group building activity for your organization or group, schedule a night at the Wall. Contact the OA Office for details.

Belaying Classes & Climber Authorization

OA offers free belaying classes for new climbers to give you instruction on how to properly tie-in and belay. Belay classes are offered during regular Wall hours Monday - Friday. Only individuals who have passed the belaying course are eligible to belay at the Wall.

Off-hours Climbing

Climbers who have been tested and authorized by the Climbing Wall staff are eligible to climb at the Wall during off-hours. To be authorized you must have passed the Belaying Class and demonstrate proficiency in rope handling and setup. Off-hours climbers are required to purchase a Wall Pass. Please note that off-hours climbing is not permitted during scheduled Climbing Classes (Monday & Wednesday from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.).

Natural History

Nature in Winter Walk

Even in the midst of winter, life carries on. This guided walk through the Institute Woods, led by experienced naturalists, will explore the diversity of plant and animal life signs during the winter. Cancelled if raining. Please wear warm clothing. A van will be leaving from the Dillon Gym parking lot promptly at 2:15 PM or participants can meet at the Institute for Advanced Study parking lot at 2:30 PM.

Saturday, February 26, 2:30 - 4:30 PM

Wilderness Seminars

The Telemark Movie

Free the Heel, Free the Mind! If you're interested in learning to Telemark ski (downhill skiing on cross-country skis), this is a great introductory film that combines instruction with incredible Telemark skiing footage. Filmed in some of the most exciting ski areas in the country, including Tuckerman's Ravine of New Hampshire and Mt. Hood, Oregon, you will be inspired to head to the mountains and free your heels.

Thursday, February 10, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., McCosh 66

Backcountry Telemark Movies

Whether you're interested in improving your Telemark turn, or just enjoy watching skiers carve turns in powder, these films will knock your socks off. "Freedom of the Heels" provides footage and instruction on a range of skills used in ski mountaineering, including climbing, skiing, and avalanche awareness. "Beyond the Groomed: Free Heel Skiing Off-Piste" shares tips and techniques on skiing untouched powder. Both of these films show incredible skiers in spectacular settings that can only inspire. Join us!

Wednesday, February 16, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., McCosh 66

Urban Youth & Experiential Education

Working with urban youth can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences. The Princeton Blairstown Center in northern New Jersey provides opportunities for experiential learning through high and low ropes courses, canoeing, hiking, and rock climbing. Two of the Center's Staff Members are presenting a workshop on the challenges involved in working with urban kids, and how experiences can shape their learning. Community Service volunteers are encouraged to attend.

Wednesday, February 23, 7:30 p.m. Robertson Hall Bowl 5

Experiences in Nepal with the Himalayan Rescue Association

Dr. Roger V. Moseley '55 and Caroline Moseley will show slides of their recent volunteer assignment at the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post in Manang, a village located at 11,600 feet on Nepal's Annapurna Circuit. They will discuss medical and cultural aspects of the experience.

Wednesday, March 1, 7:30 p.m. Robertson Hall Bowl 5

Banff Mountain Film Festival

We are pleased to co-sponsor the showing of the best of this year's festival with Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (The Nickel) at the Princeton Shopping Center. These films are always fantastic. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the door ($8.00 for students). Proceeds support summer camp scholarships for inner city youth at the Princeton Blairstown Center. Tickets may be purchased on the OA Tripstore and picked up at the OA Office, or purchased at the OA Office.

Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., McCosh 10

OA Exploring Winter Series

These OA Workshops will teach you the fundamentals of safe travel in the winter. Whether you are a cross-country skier, downhill skier, snowboarder, Telemark skier, snowshoer, winter camper, etc. these workshops will enhance your ability to enjoy the winter environment.

Winter Travel I - Winter Camping Seminar

Nothing quite compares to crawling out of a snow shelter on a crisp sunny day in a snow-covered wilderness, putting on skis or snowshoes, and heading out. Winter camping is a specialized outdoor skill requiring extensive knowledge of equipment, trip planning, weather, travel skills, and environmental hazards. The seminar will cover how to prepare for a winter camping trip—personal clothing, group equipment, food planning, winter travel and camping, snow shelters, obtaining water in the winter, ice crossings, and minimal impact camping. Extensive notes will be distributed.

Tuesday, February 22, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Robertson Hall Bowl 5

Winter Travel II - Hypothermia & Cold Weather Injuries Seminar

If you travel in the winter time, whether skiing, hiking, or winter camping, you need to understand your body's physiological responses to cold. This seminar will cover the causes, recognition, and treatment of the major cold-related injuries: hypothermia, frostnip, and frostbite. The program does not assume any prior first aid training, yet will cover these topics in depth. Extensive notes will be distributed. This program is highly recommended to anyone engaging in outdoor winter sports.

Tuesday, February 29, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Robertson Hall Bowl 1

Spring Break Backpacking Trips

Discover the excitement of living in the woods and hiking along beautiful ridges and beside winding streams. The sensation of carrying everything you need on your back can be incredibly satisfying, particularly when you can share the experience with a group of friends. These trips will spend 4 days traveling in the backcountry in groups of 6 - 10. Each trip will cover 7-8 miles each day and basic wilderness and minimal impact camping skills will be taught. Possible destinations are the Appalachian Trail of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, Sterling Forest of southern New York, or the ridges of the Delaware Water Gap in northern New Jersey. Equipment will be provided by OA. Trip fee: students $95.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Trips fill quickly so sign up early. The sign-up deadline for all Spring Break Trips is Friday, February 25. The cancellation deadline for full refunds is Friday, February 18. After February 18, participants will receive a 50% refund for cancellations.

Graduate Student Backpacking Trip

This trip is designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students to take a break from campus and explore the wilderness. The first day will be spent on-campus preparing for the trip.

Saturday, March 11 - Wednesday, March 15

Backpacking Trips

These trips are open to all students, faculty and staff. The first day will be spent on-campus preparing for the trip.

Trip I: Saturday, March 11 - Wednesday, March 15
Trip II: Wednesday, March 15 - Sunday, March 19

Outdoor Education Jobs

OA and Princeton-Blairstown Center Summer Jobs Open House

For anyone interested in working for OA or the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) this summer, this is an opportunity to find out what's available, ask questions, and pick up an application. For more information on PBC, see below.

Wednesday, February 9, 7:30 p.m. Whig Hall Lounge

Summer Jobs with Outdoor Action

The OA Frosh Trip is the largest program of it's kind in the country. It takes a lot of preparation to handle over 750 leaders and participants each year. OA is hiring two leaders to work full-time from the end of exams through the Frosh Trip (this amounts to 12 weeks of work with 2 weeks off). It is tremendously rewarding to be part of the team that organizes the largest wilderness orientation program in the country. You'll learn and do many different things including: logistics planning, route planning, menu planning, equipment inventory and ordering, trip assigning, new area research, etc. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in working in the field of Outdoor Education. In addition, summer staff lead some low ropes course programs for groups on campus. It's both a fun summer and gratifying to see the end result of all your efforts, another successful Frosh Trip. The Job Application (Adobe Acrobat version) is available at the OA Office or on the OA Website.

Qualifications:

Salary: $3,000 plus an $800 housing allowance

Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC)

The Princeton-Blairstown Center has openings for summer staff in its summer camp program. Each summer PBC offers an outdoor adventure program for urban youth ages 10 - 17 at their camp in Blairstown, NJ. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to work in the outdoors. The positions available are Counselors and Support Staff. Persons interested should join us at the OA & PBC Summer Jobs Open House on Wednesday, February 9 (see above for details). For more information contact the PBC Office in Princeton at x8-3340 or visit the Princeton-Blairstown Center Web site ( http://webware.princeton.edu/PBCenter/index.htm).

Outdoor/Environmental Jobs and Internships

Persons interested in summer positions or in post-graduation careers involving the outdoors should examine three monthly publications that are kept in the OA Office. The Environmental Opportunities Newsletter, Association for Experiential Education Jobs Clearing House, and SCA Earthworks list positions available in environmental education, outdoor education, environmental lobbying, research, and teaching. For job counseling services see Rick Curtis or the Career Services Office. See the OA Guide to Outdoor & Environmental Careers on the Web.

The Outdoor Action Leader Training Program

Outdoor Action encourages all students, faculty, and staff to participate in the OA Leader Training Program. OA's Leader Training Program is considered one of the most comprehensive in the nation and has been used as a model by numerous schools across the country.

Basic Wilderness Leader Training Requirements

As well as learning valuable wilderness skills, participants develop leadership, group facilitation, safety, and first aid skills. Upon completion of the training program, you are eligible to apply to lead OA trips. These trainings are offered several times each semester (see the spring schedule below). The Leader Training Program is structured to build upon the skills learned throughout your training. The Leader Training Trip will serve to tie together all of the other skills that you have learned. Therefore, you should have completed all of the other Leader Training Requirements before taking your Leader Training Trip.

Leader Training Spring Schedule

Outdoor Action is offering two leader training options this spring. All components of training will be held at least twice this semester. We advertise training in packages for Spring Break and Dead Week, however, participants may take components from either package, as long as all requirements are filled before taking the Leader Training Trip.

February - March Training Dates

Backpacking Leader Training Courses

Leading a backpacking trip requires extensive training in wilderness camping skills. The Backpacking Leader Training Course is designed to teach all the wilderness skills necessary to lead multi-day backpacking trips, including route planning, equipment preparation, wilderness travel techniques, map and compass, outdoor cooking, minimal impact camping, etc. The course includes 16 hours of pre-trip classes and preparation, and a 5-day trip. Trip participants will plan all aspects of the trip, including route, food, and equipment, and each participant is required to research and teach a class on a particular wilderness topic. Participants are required to attend all meetings and classes. The text for the course will be the Backpacker's Field Manual, written by Outdoor Action. Course fee: $95 students, $120 faculty/staff.

Wednesday, 3/15 - Sunday, 3/19, and pre-trip classes on Monday and Tuesday, 3/13 and 3/14
Saturday, 5/20 - Wednesday, 5/24, and pre-trip classes in the weeks leading up to the trip

NEW! Backpacking & Canoeing Leader Training Course

This course will cover the same skills taught in the Backpacking Leader Training Course, plus the skills necessary to run a multi-day canoeing trip. This 7-day trip will spend 3 1/2 days backpacking and 3 1/2 days canoeing, so participants will gain experience in both skill areas. This is a requirement for anyone interested in leading a canoeing Frosh Trip. Course fee: students $115, faculty/staff $145.

Saturday, May 20 - Friday, May 26, pre-trip classes in the weeks leading up to the trip

Facilitator's Workshop

Facilitating groups requires developing special sensitivities to teachable moments. The facilitator's role is to provide an experience and then to guide people through personal growth and development. This workshop will train OA leaders or others interested in group facilitation in specific techniques. This is a hands-on, experiential workshop. Be prepared to have fun! Dates: Saturday, 3/11 and Saturday, 4/1. For times and locations see schedule below.
3/12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Liberation Hall, Third World Center

Leadership & Group Dynamics Workshop

One of the greatest challenges of being a group leader is learning how to lead and motivate a group, and how to use group experiences to promote self-exploration and learning. This workshop is designed to teach OA leaders and others how to effectively lead groups. This is a hands-on, experiential based workshop so be prepared to be active. You must have completed the Facilitators Workshop previously in order to attend. Dates offered: Sunday, 3/12 and Saturday, 4/15. For times and locations see schedule below.

Outdoor Safety Management Workshop

This seminar is designed to make all wilderness travelers familiar with the causes of accidents in the wilderness, how to prevent accidents through effective pre-trip planning, how to identify risks in the field, and how to increase your margin of safety. Wednesday, 2/16, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. in McCosh 64

Sunday, 3/12, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. in McCosh 64

Wilderness First Aid Training

This spring we are offering 2 Wilderness First Aid options for leaders-in-training and all other wilderness travelers. These intensive courses will cover patient examination and evaluation, body systems and anatomy, wound care, splinting, environmental emergencies, and backcountry medicine. Hands-on simulations provide first-hand training in treating patients. These are excellent courses and are highly recommended to all wilderness travelers. Either course fulfills the First Aid requirement for OA Leader Training. Course fee: $89 leaders-in-training, $100 students, $120 faculty/staff.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course:

This is a course taught by Wilderness Medical Associates, one of the leading schools in Wilderness Medicine. Instructors are at a minimum EMTs, and may have RN, PA, Paramedic, or MD certification. They also have significant backcountry experience.

Saturday, 2/19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2/20, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Jadwin Hall, Room A10

HEART Wilderness First Aid & CPR Course:

This course is taught by experienced Wilderness First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians. It will be held in April, in eight 3-hour classes over 4 weeks. Dates and times TBA.

Adult CPR Classes

Outdoor Action is offering American Red Cross Adult CPR Classes the following times this Spring. There will be more classes offered after Spring Break.

April - May Leader Training Schedule

Van Driver Training

OA Leaders are strongly encouraged to become authorized van drivers. You must attend a two-hour training class and complete a 15-minute road test. After you have taken the class you can sign up for the road test (generally on Sunday afternoons following the class). Additional information can be obtained by calling the Public Safety Office. Classes held in McCosh 66. Thursday, February 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 23, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.


All online information at the Outdoor Action Web Site is protected by copyright laws. You may set up links to material found at the Outdoor Action Web Site. Printed versions of the material may be distributed for nonprofit educational use as long as no fees are charged for the material, attributions are made to the author, and no content changes are made. Commercial use of this material either in electronic or printed form is prohibited without express written permission from the author. Copyright © 1995 - 2004, all rights reserved, Rick Curtis, Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University. Send your comments and suggestions on the OA Web Site to Outdoor Action