Education Programs - Touch the Earth - Programs - Division of Recreational Services

Ski Waxing Clinic

Date: December 14, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 6:45 PM
Location: Outdoor Rental Center
Cost: Free and open to the public

Participants will learn the art of waxing cross-country skis. Topics include wax types for specific temperatures and a demonstration of proper waxing technique.

Sea Kayaking Series

Meet us at Lake Macbride for either of these two sea kayaking series. All equipment will be provided.

Intro to Sea Kayaking Series
Dates: August 18 & 20, 2009
Time: TBA
Location:
Fee: $50
Registration:

Kayaking Series
Dates: September 1 & 3, 2009; June 22 & 24, 2010
Time:
Location:
Fee: $50
Registration:

Kayaking Rolling Series & Open Pool Sessions

Join us as we progress through the skills needed to paddle white water. Each lesson will build off the previous skills. Starting with the basics, you’ll learn about WW Kayaks; how they fit, how to get in and out, the T-rescue, paddle strokes, river features, and on to the Eskimo roll! This hands on training series is a prerequisite to the White Water Kayaking Adventure trip and also a great way to get into white water sports!

Fall Kayaking Rolling Series (I - III)
Dates: November 1, 8, 15, 2009
Time: 10 AM - Noon
Location: Field House Swimming Pool
Fee: $60, includes equipment, pool time and instruction
Registration: Register by TBA at the Outdoor Rental Center
Space is limited to 6 participants

Spring Kayaking Rolling Series (I - III)
Dates: January 31, February 7, & 14, 2010
Time: 10 AM - Noon
Location: Field House Swimming Pool
Fee: $60, includes equipment, pool time and instruction
Registration: Register by January 25, 2009 at the Outdoor Rental Center
Space is limited to 6 participants

Kayak open pool sessions are for people who have participated in the rolling series and want to continue to practice their skills. Also, a great chance for people who might be interested in registering for the rolling series to get in a kayak and try it out. $5 drop in fee, limited instruction.

Open Kayaking Pool Sessions
Dates: January 24, 2010; February 21, 2010
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Location: Field House Swimming Pool
Fee: $5 drop in fee

Moonlight Ski & S'Mores

Date: January 29th
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 PM
Location: Macbride Nature Recreation Area
Cost: FREE and open to the public

Enjoy a romantic evening with your hunny or a fun filled night out with friends cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the trails at night at Macbride Nature Recreation Area. We will have the park open late for this evening activity. Have fun cross-country skiing or showshoeing through the forest and the cozy up next to a campfire, enjoying s'mores and hot chocolate.

No snow?!?! Well we are in Iowa, known for unpredictable weather. Don't fret, if we do not have enough snow, the even will go on and we will have a night hike instead.

Need equipment? Don't forget to rent a pair of skis or snowshoes at the Outdoor Rental Center ahead of time.

Outdoor Cooking Series

Join Touch the Earth for dinner and desert, outdoor style! Try your luck with the Dutch oven or a one burner back county stove. Each gathering, limited to ten participants, will include all the supplies and instruction needed. Each lesson will leave you with a full belly and new cooking ideas for your next outdoor adventure. Selected Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm. Try one or try them all, $20 each! Participants must register in advance at the ORC. Registration deadline is one week prior to the meal!

Dutch Oven Dinner
October 6, 2009
April 6, 2010
5 - 7 PM
Outdoor Rental Center

One Burner Dinner
October 13, 2009
April 14, 2010
5 - 7 PM
Outdoor Rental Center

WMI Wilderness First Responder RECERT

Dates: May 17 - 19, 2009
Location: Macbride Nature Recreation Area (Solon, IA)
Cost: TBA for early registration (by TBA) or TBA for late registration
Space Limited To: 30 participants

This 3 day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) re-certification course is offered through Touch The Earth and taught by Wilderness Medical Institution (WMI). This course is fast-paced and engaging, designed for people who have complete the 10 day WFR course but need to refresh their skills and renew their certification. You'll spend time reviewing critical skills in the classroom as well as doing hands-on training and realistic scenarios in the outdoors. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. Heartsaver Adult CPR is included.

This course will take place May 17 - 19 at Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Solon, Iowa. Free camping is available at MNRA.

Registration

Deadline for early registration is TBA
Advanced registration is accepted, 1/2 of the course cost is due as a deposit to reserve a place at the time of registration
Deposit is non-refundable
Registration takes place at the Outdoor Rental Center. Participants may also register by phone or US mail.

Contact Dave Patton 319-384-1223 for additional information.

WMI Wilderness First Responder Course

Dates: May 19 - 28, 2009
Location: Macbride Nature Recreation Area (Solon, IA)
Cost: TBA for early registration before TBA or TBA for late registration
Space Limited To: 30 participants

This 10 day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is offered through Touch The Earth and taught by Wilderness Medical Institution (WMI). This course is essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the WFR course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. Heartsaver Adult CPR is included.

This course will take place at Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Solon, Iowa . Free camping is available at MNRA.

Registration

Deadline for early registration is TBA at 7 PM
Advanced registration is accepted, 1/2 of the course cost is due as a deposit to reserve a place at the time of registration
Deposit is non-refundable
Registration takes place at the Outdoor Rental Center. Participants may also register by phone or US mail.

Contact Dave Patton 319-384-1223 for additional information.

Tandem Bike Clinic

Date: June 10, 2010
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Outdoor Rental Center
Cost: Free and open to the public

Participants will learn the basics on how to ride with ease and comfort on a bicycle built for two. The clinic includes an instructional session about the tandem bike, a practice session on the bike and a bike ride on the nearby Coralville bike trail.

Past Programs

Preserving the Utah Canyonlands
Presentation

Clayton Daughenbaugh, the Midwest Field Organizer for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, spoke about Canyonlands National Park and the groups efforts to preserve this pristine area. More information available at www.suwa.org.

K2: The World's Hardest Mountain
Presentation

K2, the world's second tallest mountain, claims one life for every four people that trespass on the summit. Chris Warner, the leader of the 2007 Shared Summits K2 Expedition recounted the teams experience as well as gave a sneak peak of footage his team filmed during the 3 month adventure for an upcoming special on NBC. For more information about the expedition, visit Shared Summits. This is defenitely a presentation you don't want to miss!

Cross Country Ski Waxing and Maintenance Clinic

Participants learned about the art of waxing cross-country skis. Ttopics included wax types for specific temperatures and a demonstration of proper waxing technique.