Outdoor Chattanooga News + Events February 2020
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Outdoor Chattanooga's newsletter highlights the awesome outdoor activities happening in and around Chattanooga that will connect you to the outdoors and inspire you to come out and play with us!
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Outdoor Chattanooga Events
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Winter Workshop Series
Wednesdays in February | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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Wednesday Workshop: Join us for a wilderness survival workshop focusing on 3-season skills that could save your life. Learn practical tips and strategies that every outdoor traveler should know, including emergency priorities, how to make an emergency shelter, how to locate and access drinking water, and how to make your own emergency kit with all the essentials. You will also participate in interactive scenarios to practice and hone your skills. Free and open to all ages.
Put it to Practice: on Saturday, February 8 during a wilderness field experience with Outdoor Chattanooga's own Cole Henderson. Participants will have the opportunity to practice scenarios, fire building, shelter building and other techniques in the fresh air of the forest. This class is designed for anyone who spends time outdoors. Participation is limited with first priority given to those that attend the Wednesday Winter Workshop. The field experience is appropriate for ages 10 and up with a participating adult.
Online registration
is required and will open to the public Thursday morning following the workshop. A waiting list will be initiated once registration has met capacity.
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Wednesday Workshop: Demystify your bike and learn the essentials of bicycle repair and maintenance in this hands-on workshop. Outdoor Chattanooga's bicycle guru, James Eubank will dive into the most common repair and maintenance issue for everyday cyclists: how to prevent and fix a flat tire. Bring your own bike to learn on or use one of ours. Tools will be available for use. Hands and clothing may get dirty/greasy.
Put it to Practice on Saturday, February 15. Take your bicycle education and maintenance skills even further! Outdoor Chattanooga's bicycle guru, James Eubank, will demonstrate and allow time for practice on how to tune a rear derailleur. Tools will be provided and questions are encouraged. Hands and clothing might get dirty/greasy. Bring your own bike to practice on or use one of ours. After mastering how to fix a flat and tune a rear derailleur for smooth shifting, we will shift gears and gear up for a winter bike ride on local roadways (weather permitting) to learn the rules of the road and riding techniques to be a confident and predictable road cyclist. During the short group ride we will practice lane positioning, lane changes, signaling, scanning and learn about TN State laws that pertain to bicycles using roadways. We're confident you'll ride away 'wheelie' confident with a well-tuned bike!
Bicycles are available for use at no additional charge for riders 5 ft and taller or bring your own. The ride is appropriate for ages 16 and up with a participating adult. Registration is limited with priority registration given to those who attend the Wednesday Winter Workshop.
Online registration
will open to the public on Thursday morning following the workshop and is first come first serve. A waiting list will be initiated once registration has met capacity.
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Wednesday Workshop: Cooking in the outdoors need not be limited to hot dogs and s’mores. With the right ingredients, tools, and know-how, you can prepare gourmet feasts without a gourmet kitchen. The keys are planning and prep. Make plans to attend this free workshop at Outdoor Chattanooga to learn about the various outdoor cooking methods, supplies, and tricks for easy and tasty cuisine utilizing backpacking and car camping equipment. Learn how to create a healthy, delicious meal with the same ingredients cooked on different types of stoves and fuel, and various types of camping cookware. What to bring, how to pack, food safety, clean up and critter considerations are a few more topics that will be covered.
Put it to Practice: on Saturday, February 22 during a group field experience. Equipment and ingredients will be provided for the group to cook a meal in the great outdoors. Space is limited for the field excursion with priority given to those that attend the Wednesday Winter Workshop.
Online registration
will open to the public on Thursday morning following the workshop. A waiting list will be initiated once registration has reached capacity. Appropriate for ages 14 and up with a participating adult. Cost $10 per person.
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Free Indoor Archery
Wednesdays in February & March
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Every Wednesday in February and March, Outdoor Chattanooga’s instructors get out the bows and arrows and set up archery targets inside their building located in Coolidge Park to create an indoor archery range. They invite you to join them for one of the 2 sessions they're offering this year.
Adult Archery
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m
. Similar to adult swim time at the local pool, this session is targeted to archers over 30. The focus is on group games for comradery and friendly competition with peers and is optimal for those that can attend for the full hour. **Please, no children during this session.
Try Archery
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3:30 to 6:00 p.m
. right after the adult-only session. These sessions are drop-in style, open to all ages 5 and up, and follows the National Archery in Schools Progam (NASP) format. The focus is on teaching the fundamentals of archery with an emphasis on range safety rules. Participants get multiple opportunities to shoot during the session. No reservation or prior experience required to attend either of the sessions. Just show up, take aim and give archery a try! Call 423-643-6888 to learn more.
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WAITLISTED: Guided Hike
Sunday, Feb. 9 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided hike on the Cumberland Trail
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We'll lead registered participants on a moderately strenuous 4-mile hike to explore a unique section of the CT. We'll provide guides and a shuttle for the one-way trek so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature without the worry of getting lost. Call us at 423-643-6888 or
register online
to receive details!
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Learn to Ride a Bike
Monday, Feb. 10 | 4:00 OR 6:00 p.m.
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Learn how to ride a bicycle with Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced instructors in a relaxed setting. Gain the skills and confidence to get out there riding on your own! FREE classes offered the 2nd Monday each month. No experience necessary. Ages 5+. Bikes, helmets, and instruction provided.
Online reservations
required in advance. Call 423-643-6888 to register and learn more.
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Rapid Learning Winter Skills Sessions
Tuesday, Feb. 11 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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Learn how to whitewater kayak with
Outdoor Chattanooga
's
Rapid Learning Whitewater Program
! This dynamic program offers formal and equipped kayak instruction for beginner and seasoned kayakers to learn and develop the skills necessary to safely and confidently paddle whitewater streams.
In the winter months, we move indoors to a heated pool at the
Hulsey Wellness Center
in Collegedale. Reservations, experience or equipment are NOT required to attend, and the first session is always free! Additional sessions:
March 10, and April 21.
For more info
email Outdoor Chattanooga
.
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Local Adventure Spotlight
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Tackling the Litter Problem in Chattanooga
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Did you partake in any Superbowl activities last night? There sure is a lot of pomp and circumstance associated with grown men in tights playing a game. We got curious and looked up some Superbowl facts to share. 103,219 people attended the Superbowl in Miami with the average ticket costing $2,500. Nearly 100 million people view the big game from the comfort of their home or a crowded bar. A 30-second ad costs $5.6 million! Superbowl 54 debuted the KC Chiefs vs San Fransisco 49ers, which is the first time two teams whose primary color is red have faced off in the big game. The KC Chiefs haven't been to or won a Superbowl since 1970. And most notably, 49ers Assistant Coach, Katie Sowers is the first female to coach in an NFL Superbowl, and she's originally from Kansas. Oh, and in case you didn't watch it, the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 30-21 and there were plenty of tackles, touchdowns, touching ads, and a tantalizing half-time show to keep everyone entertained. What really perplexed us about the whole thing was at the end they drop a ton of confetti all over the field to celebrate the champions; why so much waste and who cleans that up?
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Recently,
Nooga Today
asked local readers what they're concerned about and one of the most common responses was
litter in Chattanooga.
Whether it comes in the form of confetti or discarded waste on our city streets or local trailheads, we tend to agree. We don't like to see trash piling up around the Scenic City and we're excited to see Nooga Today has issued a challenge to help clean up the city.
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The Challenge
When you’re out walking or riding your bike around town or at any of the local trails and you see a piece of trash, we challenge you to pick it up + throw it away. Part two of the challenge: Take a photo of yourself doing this simple, but intentional act and be sure to tag Nooga Today on
Instagram
,
Twitter
+
Facebook
and use #NOOGAtoday to be featured and inspire others. They plan to make a giant photo collage of the submitted pictures to show how a small act can have a big impact!
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Save Water, Drink Wine
February 8 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
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WaterWays
annual
Save Water, Drink Wine
fundraising party is back! Join them for an evening celebrating Chattanooga's local watersheds, all while enjoying local food, entertainment, and of course, wine! Tickets are $50 online and $60 at the door. All proceeds benefit Waterways ongoing projects, including Stream Teams, educational outreach, and restoration.
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Winter Waterfall Hike
February 9 | 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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Join Ranger Harris with South Cumberland State Park at the Grundy Forest trailhead for a 3-mile out and back winter waterfall hike to Sycamore Falls. You will get to experience several gorgeous falls. You will get to see some old growth timber and beautiful rock formations along the way. The trail is rated moderate to difficult with rocky and rooty terrain. Please come prepared by wearing good sturdy hiking shoes, dressed appropriately for the weather, bring a minimum of 32oz. of water, and some snacks for the trail. Cost: $10/person. You can register by clicking the link below or by call the parks visitor center at (931) 924-2980.
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Torchlight Gala - Chattanooga Audubon Society
February 29 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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Join
Chattanooga Audubon Society
aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat on February 29 for their
Torchlight Gala
and you'll enjoy a semi-formal dinner cruise, live music and fun. Tickets are $100 per guest and can be purchased
online here
. All proceeds benefit the Chattanooga Audubon Society.
Crazy Flute
will be the musical guest for the evening. An award-winning Native American Flute & Drum Duo.
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Looking Ahead...Upcoming Events
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Outdoor Chattanooga | 423.643.6888 | info@outdoorchattanooga.com | www.outdoorchattanooga.com
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