By LeAnn Schmitt and Scot McClure, OTF Staff Outdoor Adventures, the nation’s premier in-school outdoor education program developed and implemented by the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, gets kids outside! In the last issue of American Outdoor News, we featured the survival skills unit of Outdoor Adventures (OA). This time we focus on fishing, another of the…

Evidence of humans using bows and arrows goes back tens of thousands of years.  It is no wonder that a skill so engrained in our collective history would be so popular.  Movies such as Brave and Robin Hood and countless others have done nothing but increase the mystique associated with archery and have inspired untold…

There are hundreds and hundreds of books and websites about camping, hiking and backpacking from the basic how-tos to advanced survival to trail specific guides and personal accounts. These forms of outdoor recreation are perhaps the most accessible and widely enjoyed outdoor activities whether as stand-alone activities or in conjunction with other outdoor adventures. Have…

Many of us are starting to see our yard turning green, flowering trees, and temperatures that we wish would stay all year. The telltale signs of spring for many outdoor enthusiasts means one thing—boating season is upon us. For those avid boaters, fishermen, and water going lovers there is not much better than a day…

The Adventure Junkies is a place to learn more about a new outdoor activity without any knowledge or previous experience required. By combining actionable digital resources and a supportive online community, they make getting out into nature a possibility for anyone. The Hiking resource page in one of my favorites! The Day Hiking Resources page at The…

Top 20 Outdoor Blogs! I enjoy exploring blogs about outdoor adventure activities, and I am sure some of you do also! These are some resources to share with your students as you finish your school year and plan for your next summer adventure! Blogs are a great way to learn more about activities you were introduced to…

In this day and age of technological breakthroughs, everyone would agree that it has its pros and cons. While mobile phones, the Internet, or the basic computer have made everyone’s lives better, it is still undeniable that this technology has also caused a few other activities to be pushed aside. Walk around the streets and…

SUMMER SAFETY IN THE OUTDOORS Staying safe in the heat and humidity The No. 1 concern for summer safety is the heat issue. “Heat affects old and young. It does not discriminate. If you don’t catch dehydration early, it becomes heat stroke,”. Here are some of the signs of dehydration to watch for: · Chills…

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/camping-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius

From Bonnie Newcombe, Outdoor Adventures Manager.  Yea! It's feeling more and more like fall!  I hope your year is off to a good start! Archery is one of the BEST units in the OA curriculum.  It is a sport in which all people can participate. If your students think it is toooooo hard for them,…

Smartphones are the ultimate technological multitool. They combine a computer, a camera, a camcorder, a GPS, a compass, a flashlight, a phone and access to a library of information, all in a handheld device that fits comfortably in your pocket. For naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts, smartphones can be an amazing tool for learning about the…

Understanding how to use a compass is an invaluable skill for any outdoors enthusiast, but compass skills aren’t just good for adventurous adults. Teaching compass skills to kids is a great way to cultivate their abstract reasoning and ability to visualize when problem solving. One excellent strategy for helping your kids learn compass skills is…

Do you want to encourage your students to enjoy the outdoors this summer? Follow through on some of the things they have learned this semester? Try some of the skills they learned? How about a quick and easy project? There are tons of great apps out there, so use the technology to your advantage to…

It’s a great time to be spending time outdoors. With the beautiful weather we are having, you can enjoy everything from turkey hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or just sitting around a campfire in the evening with family and friends Trail Hiking Whether you're climbing rocks, wandering along a coastal path, or hiking a rigorous mountain…