Outdoor Adventure Resources

If you are aware of any other local outdoor adventure resources, please communicate them to Adair Petty, Dean, College of Adventure (ppetty1 at cox.net) or to the Webmaster (at Crew1501.org).
An earlier copy of the list appears to be on the the Council web site under NCAC - Patriot District >> Leader Training >> Outdoor Adventure Resources (external link). Good idea to post at the Council level, but I'd not think to look under Leader Training. I'd also suggest removing the typos (e.g., extra line feed in the last entry for Winter Skiing/Snowboarding).
No known dead links as of 2010-03-21.1812 hrs (used FreeLinkChecker 4.3 (external link)).

General:

Mountain Biking:


Bike Trails:

Books:

  • Rails-to-Trails: Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia;
  • The Official Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Guidebook
  • Mountain Biking to Washington, DC/Baltimore Area, by Scott Adams/Martin Fernandez
  • Mountain Bike! Virginia, A Guide to the Classic Trails, by Randy Porter
  • ADC The Map People Washington DC Regional Bike Map
  • Maryland Bicycle Map, Maryland Department of Transportation
  • C&O Canal Map, Maps 1-4, With Canal Lingo, by Paul McDermott/Thomas Rabenhorst
  • The Potomac River and the C&O Canal Five Colorful Strip Maps by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, phone number: 310.984.1908

Climbing:

COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience):

Caving

Land Navigation

Map Programs

Adventure Races

Trails (some suggestions)


Hiking Guide Books:


Equestrian:


Shooting Sports:

NOTE: "All training and shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified instructor or coach who is 21 years of age or older." Guide to Safe Scouting.
    • This means that we either:
      • Take youth to a facility where there are NRA-certified Instructors;
      • Get an NRA-certified instructor as a consultant;
    • The crew leader(s) must become NRA-certified instructors if they do shooting on their own.
    • To become an NRA-certified instructor, you must be an experienced shooter, take a 6-hour basic NRA instructor course, and take a 14-hour instructor course for each fire arm you wish to supervise – rifle, shotgun, black powder, or handguns.
    • The cost of the courses range from $125 to $250 depending on the cost of facilities and range time.
    • Information on NRA Instructor Training can be found on http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor.asp (external link)
  • Venturing standards for use of firearms
    • The following guidelines relate to use of firearms within the Venturing program. Safety should ALWAYS be the primary concern when using firearms as part of the Venturing program.
  • Handguns
  1. Handgun use is limited to the Venturing program.
  2. All pistol shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Pistol Instructor and when on the range, must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  3. When on the range, there must be a ratio of no more than three shooters per adult coach or instructor. The adult coaches or instructors must be close to the shooters for close supervision. The adult coaches/instructors must be supervised by the Range Safety Officer.
  4. All participants must complete an NRA basic pistol marksmanship course prior to range firing.
  5. With the approval of the local council, handgun shooting may be conducted on BSA camp ranges, provided the shooting is done under the supervision of a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  6. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on pistol ranges.
  7. Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.
  • Shotguns
  1. For range shooting, shot size is determined by the range rules.
  2. All shotgun shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Shotgun Instructor and when on the range, must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  3. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on shotgun ranges.
  4. Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.
  • Muzzleloaders
  1. Muzzleloading firearms must be of modern manufacture. Firearms made from kits must be certified safe by a licensed gunsmith.
  2. All muzzleloader range shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA/NMLRA certified muzzle loader firearms instructor and when on the range, must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  3. For range firing, each participant must have one instructor or adult coach under the supervision of a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  4. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on muzzleloader shooting ranges.
  5. Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.
  • Rifles
  1. All rifle shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Rifle Instructor and when on the range, must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
  2. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on rifle ranges.
  3. Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.

Archery

Fencing

Whitewater Rafting/Canoeing

Maryland

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

Virginia

  • Shenandoah River, VA
    • Shenandoah River Outfitters - http://www.shenandoah-river.com (external link) - recommended by Dan Sproull. Scout friendly, camping available but pay per camper. There is public camping spaces by put in and by take out.
    • Downriver Canoe Company - http://www.downriver.com/ (external link) - recommended by Dan Sproull and by Crew 545.
  • Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg, VA

West Virginia

Flat-Water Canoeing


Kayaking


Boating and Sailing

Other Sea Bases - http://www.seascout.org/reference/seabases.html (external link)


Swimming Holes and Waterfalls


SCUBA


Fishing


Winter Skiing/Snowboarding (as of winter 2006-7)

  • Ski Liberty, Fairfield (south of Gettysburg), PA, 78 miles from DC; 8 lifts, 16 slopes and trails with 600-foot drop and a 5,200-foot run, annual snowfall – 45”; Scout Weekend Special, weekend days, $72 for skiing/snowboard in groups of 15 or more; includes equipment, instruction, and lift tickets, patch, and 25% discount on food; 717-642-8282 ext 3305 for group sales, www.skiliberty.com
  • Whitetail Mountain Resort, Mercerburg, PA, 91 miles from DC, 8 lifts, 19 slopes and trails with 935-foot drop and a 4,900-foot run, annual snowfall – 40”; Scout Weekend Weekend Special, weekend days, price (not given but similar to Ski Liberty) in groups of 15 or more; includes equipment, instruction, and lift tickets, patch, and 25% discount on food; 717-328-9400 ext 3517 for group sales, www.skiwhitetail.com
  • Ski Roundtop, Lewisberry, PA, 114 miles from DC, 10 lifts, 15 slopes with 600-foot drop and a 4,100 foot run, annual snowfall – 40”, group sales (717) 432-9631 ext 3723, www.skiroundtop.com
  • Seven Springs, Champion, PA, 192 miles from DC; 14 lifts, 31 slopes and trails with a 750-foot drop and a 6,600-foot long run, annual snowfall – 105” ; Student Ski Trips, $170 per person in groups of 20 or more includes 2 nights chalet lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 2 days and 2 nights lift tickets, and discounts on instruction and equipment rental; 800-452-2223 ext 7871 or 7875, www.7springs.com
  • Canann Valley Resort, Davis, WV, 180 miles from DC; 3 lifts, 37 slopes and trails with a 850-foot drop and a 6,000-foot long run, annual snowfall – 160”; Scout Ski Special, $80 per person in groups of 20 or more; includes 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfast, 2 day lift pass, 2 day ski equipment rental; 800-622-4121, www.canaanresort.com
  • Timberline Ski Resort, Davis, WV, 180 miles from DC; 4 lifts, 36 slopes and trails with 1000-foot drop and a 10,640-foot run, annual snowfall – 150”; Scout Econo Package, $79 per person includes 2 day ski lift tickets, equipment rental, instruction, 2 nights lodging (bring your sleeping bag), and 5 meals; 800-392-0152, www.timberlineresort.com
  • Bryce Resort, Bayse, VA (Shenandoah Valley), 116 miles from DC, 5 lifts, 8 slopes and trails with 500-foot drop and a 3,500-foot run, annual snowfall – 30”; www.bryceresort.com
  • Massanutten, McGaheysville, VA (Shenandoah Valley), 145 miles form DC, 7 lifts, 14 slopes and trails with 1,100-foot drop and a 4,100-foot run, annual snowfall – 56”; www.massresort.com

Ice Skating


Other Adventures


Day Hammocking


Places to Stay Indoors


Aviation Orientation


Astronomy and Space


Wilderness First Aid and First Aid


Outdoor Living History


Law Enforcement

  • Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy, 10-week course, 3 hours a week, 703-280-0542,

Geology


Conservation Service Projects


US Fish and Wildlife Service – http://northeast.fws.gov (external link)

  • Potomac River NWR Complex, 703-490-4979
  • Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge
  • Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  • The Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA 22980, 540-942-9453 http://www.wildlifecenter.org (external link)

Planning High Adventure

  • BSA Publication – Passport to High Adventure, $13.99
  • BSA Publication – The Complete Wilderness Training Manual, $14.99

High Adventure



Overseas High Adventures