OUTINGS 2009 To enjoy, educate & protect the natural environment  "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into   trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves".   "Keep close to Nature's heart ..and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods.   Wash your spirit clean." John Muir

For Training Events, please scroll to bottom of page!

June

Jun 26-28 Cool Down in Florida's Natural Springs! We will visit Homosassa Springs and Rainbow Springs State Parks. Activities will include viewing manatees from an underwater observatory, swimming and tubing down the crystal clear Rainbow River, and canoeing/kayaking (rentals available). We’ll stay both nights at the Two Rivers Inn in historic downtown Dunellon, near the confluence of the Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers.Estimated cost for 2 night’s lodging, park & tube rental fees is $100 per person (not including restaurant meals). Reserve early- limited to 12 people.Contact Brigita at bbgahr@embarqmail.com or 239-337-1857. (Calusa)

Jun 27 Gleaning for the hungry. We’ll join the Society of St. Andrews and the Unitarian Universalist Church to glean for vegetables in the Hastings area. Gleaning is the process of gathering vegetables which have not been gathered by mechanical harvesters from farms which permit gleaning. Vegetables gathered by gleaning will be delivered to hunger relief agencies in our area. We will glean for approximately 3 hours from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Brian will also provide additional information to participants in advance of the gleaning. Leader Brian Paradise bgparadise@comcast.net (Northeast)

July
Jul 3-5 Fourth of July weekend retreat on the Chassahowitzka. Join us for a paddle on the spring fed Chassahowitzka River and its creeks. We will discover the wildlife and other natural beauty this river have to offer. There should be plenty of bird life, fish, blue crabs, the possibility of otters, manatee, and even the possibility of a dolphin coming up river if the tide is right. Canoe and kayak rentals available, or bring your own canoe or kayak. Overnight accommodations available for a small donation. Leader: Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 , bfberauer@aol.com. (Suncoast)

July 6 Full Moon Beach Walk, Monday, 7:30 p m., Take a four-mile moonlight walk with us along Caspersen Beach. Enjoy a finger-food buffet at 7:30 p.m. and the walk begins at 8:30 p.m. Wear appropriate shoes and carry water. Reserve with Sally at 941-484-4113 (Manatee – Sarasota)

Jul 11 Weedon Island bike and walk. We’ll have a morning bicycle ride followed by a walk on the trails, and a visit of the Cultural and Natural History Center. Learn what the preserve has to offer. Call for details Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 , bfberauer@aol.com(Suncoast)

Jul 12     Annual Turtle Walk with LBK’s Turtle Watch Sunday.  6:30 a.m.  Join the Longboat Key Turtle Watch’s daily early morning search for new turtle nests. We walk about 2 miles as our leaders share with us the latest ways that people are helping preserve loggerhead turtles. If you have time, join us for breakfast afterwards at the Blue Dolphin. Meet at the parking lot of the Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive at 6:30 am. Reserve by Friday, July 10, with Mary at 941-752-3200.

Jul 18 Myakka Hike, Saturday, 8 a.m. Come along for a four-mile walk at Myakka State Park Wear sturdy shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and lunch, if your time allows. Reserve with Sally at 941-484-4113 (Manatee – Sarasota)

Jul 19 Shell Key Preserve Kayak, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Paddle one of the west coast’s premier sanctuaries and look for migrating birds. The black skimmers are nesting this time of year. Located just north of the Skyway Bridge, Shell Key Preserve comprises a 180-acre, white sand, duned barrier island and interior mangrove islands. Reserve with Don Kirkley at 941-493-3085 (Manatee – Sarasota)

Jul 25 Early morning bike ride- Riverbend Park, Jupiter. Beat the summertime blues with a shady bike ride. We¹ll get an early start and ride only ten miles for about an hour and a half. Hard packed gravel bike path, much of it in the shade. Ride is very leisurely and pleasant. Limit 20. Must email ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net, or call 561 315-0528 to reserve.

Jul 25 Lovers Key Hike.2-3 mile hike on a barrier island near Bonita Springs that is home to West Indian Manatees, bottlenose dolphin, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles.Contact Sue at susiesstuff@mac.com or 239-530-0515.State park fee is $5 per vehicle (2-8 people) or $3 per person (Calusa)

August
Aug 1 Treasure Island Sunset Beach Walk. Beach basket picnic followed by a walk and watching the sun set and full moon. Come join other Sierra friends and discover what your local beaches offer. Call for details Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 , bfberauer@aol.com(Suncoast)

Aug. 14-16 CRYSTAL RIVER, HOMOSASSA OUTING. A weekend outing with manatees and the other fauna and flora of Crystal River and Homosassa Springs is planned for August 14 through 16 by the Nassau Sierra Club. The event is open to the public. Crystal River is 167 miles from Fernandina Beach, an approximate 3.5-hour drive; Sierrans will be traveling there on Friday, Aug. 14. On Saturday the group will meet at Manatee Tours USA in Crystal River for a morning manatee tour and an afternoon of kayaking at Crystal River/Kings Bay. Group rates arranged by Nassau Sierra include $39 for the manatee tour and $25 for kayak rental. The East Indian manatees are very docile and a personal encounter with them is a rewarding experience. Sunday optional activities include a visit to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park that showcases native Florida wildlife including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles and river otters. Manatee educational programs are offered three times daily. At the park’s Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study and bird-watching. A children's education center provides hands-on experiences about Florida's environment. Group discounted admission rates of $9 for adults and $6 for children are available for 10 or more people. Also in the area are the Crystal River Archaeological Park, Crystal River Wildlife refuge and Rainbow Springs State Park where visitors can swim, picnic, walk the trails, visit the garden and experience “The Real Florida.” The Rainbow River is popular for snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. Tubing is launched at nearby K.P. Hole County Park. Attendees will arrange for their own lodging and pay the concessionaire fees directly. Those registering for the event will be provided options for lodging or camping. If there are enough campers, evening campfire activities will be planned for the Friday and Saturday evenings. To register for the event and be eligible for the group rates, participants should contact Len Kreger at l.kreger@comcast.net or by phone at 904 432 8389 by July 24 so that group arrangements can be made (Nassau)

Aug 29 Mote Marine Lab Tour (Sarasota), followed by dinner at the Dry Dock Restaurant overlooking Sarasota Bay and an eveningwalk on South Lido Beach.Explore the secrets of the sea with touch pools, shark, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits and over 100 other species of marine life. Viewable working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory.Discounted group rate for the marine lab is $12.00.Limited to 15 people.Reserve with Em at 239-472-8973 (Calusa).

Feb 7-13, 2010 Fundraising Trip to the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico. Spend 7 days on the beautiful island having fun hiking, kayaking, swimming, exploring the tropical forests and learning about the rich culture and history of Puerto Rico. Learn about the environmental issues the island faces from our local Sierra Club guides. We will spend one night in San Juan exploring the old town and the rest of the time we will be at the Patillas Eco Resort www.patillasecoresort.com. The cost of the trip is $650 per person plus airfare and includes all lodging and transportation. Limit 10 participants. For reservations and details contact: Rudy Scheffer, rudy@adventuresworldwide.com, 727.726.8375. (Suncoast)

Florida Friendly Garden Tour October 2008	Pinellas Trail lRide Sept. 2008	Fisheating Creek Paddle/Camp October 2008

Training Events:

Jul 17-20 9:00- 5:00 The University of Florida is sponsoring a SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) course at Paynes Prarie State Park. http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie Cost is $300 (tuition only) for the 4 day. Receive a two year certification from SOLO. Instructed by UF staff. Contact Rudy Scheffer at 727-726-8375 or e-mail:rudy@adventuresworldwide.com

Aug 1-2 The University of Florida is sponsoring a SOLO Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Refresher course ($200). This class is for those interested in a more intensive course. For more information Contact Rudy Scheffer at 727-726-8375 or e-mail: rudy@adventuresworldwide.com or www.soloschools.com

Sept 26 Outing Leader Training OLT101
for new outing leaders, recertification and a prerequisite for OLT201. Location in the Tampa Bay area. For more details contact: Rudy Scheffer, 727.726.8375 or email: rudy@adventuresworldwide.com.

Oct 3 Outing Leader Training OLT 201. A requirement for Outing Leaders who want to lead overnight trips away from cars. Location in the Tampa Bay Area. For more details contact: Rudy Scheffer, 727.726.8375 or email: rudy@adventuresworldwide.com.