Learning Outdoor Skills

They say that every Journey begins with a single step, and this is no truer than with learning a special skill. And no matter what your skill level is, there is always room for improvement. Outdoors people tell me that their ranks are dwindling. *A Fish & Wildlife Service* *report* seems to amplify that sentiment. To me the answer lies in teaching more young people, minorities, and women these valuable outdoor skills. Once the province of old white men, sports like hunting, archery, down-hill skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and trail guiding are now being pursued by women. The task that remains is to encourage more youth, and particularly minority youth to become involved in these great outdoor activities. Perhaps the greatest joy and sense of satisfaction that comes from learning these fun outdoor skills is not in the skill itself, exciting as they are, but in the sense of confidence and self-esteem that comes from learning any new skill. As each day is a new beginning, we welcome all those who choose this day to enroll in these exemplary outdoor specialty schools. If every journey starts with a single step, shouldn't you start by taking your first step? Imagine Your Excitement As You Complete Your First Class! Your Instructor Awaits You!
Archery & Bow Hunting Training-
	Bliss Creek Wilderness Elk Guide & Bow Hunting School, outside of Cody, Wyoming.
	Minnesota Bowhunters Association, out of Roseville, Mn. One of their goals is to educate hunters and the general public on the values of archery and hunting.
	Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, out of Clintonville, WI, participates in a scholarship program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point by sponsoring a $500.00 scholarship to eligible students enrolled in the Natural Resources program.
	Michigan Bow Hunters Association, is an extensive state-wide organization with 12 Chapters throughout the state. The MBA in co-operation with the International Bow Hunters Education Program sponsors an in-depth course in all aspects of bow hunting and hunting safety.
	National Archery in the Schools Program
	See Also DNR Sponsored Programs Below--
Canoeing & Kayaking Schools-
	Bear Mountain Canoe & Kayak Building School
	Alpine Quest Sports Kayak School, near Vail, Colorado, *Alpine Kayak* has been teaching the sport of kayaking since 1989 and has one of the largest kayak schools in Colorado.
	Out-for-Adventure Canoe Lessons in British Columbia
	All About Rivers.Com, an on-line directory of canoe and kayak schools.
	American Canoe Association Pro Schools, Become a Certified Canoe or Kayak Instructor by contacting one their member schools.
Cross-Country Skiing Schools-
	Vail Nordic Ski School, for Cross Country Ski Instruction. One of the best in the nation.
	Bretton Woods Nordic Ski, Skate, & Snowboard School, located in Bretton Woods, CT. One of the best in the country.
Down-Hill Skiing Schools-
	Alf Engen Ski School, the Top Ski School in the Nation, located at Alta Lodge, in Alta, UT.
	Other Ski School References, “How 2 Ski-"School Resources."
DNR Sponsored Programs-
	Minnesota State DNR-Education, Safety, & Training,-teaches many outdoor skills, including *Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW*), Firearms Safety, Advanced Hunter Education, and Wildfire Prevention. Learn about one of their many school based programs- "Archery in the Schools,", and click on one of their links to the left.
	Michigan State DNR Learning Corner provides education and training for *BOW, Archery in the Schools,* Hunter Education, and Boat Safety. You can also find additional Recreational Safety Classes for ORV, Snowmobile Safety, and their New Child & Nature Network, which connects kids, back to nature.
	Wisconsin State DNR Education & Training Programs has classes for all ages. For information on individual classes, please click on the named-link below: Youth Hunting Program Trapping Program Hunting, Boating, Snowmobile, & ATV
	You can also download a “"Learn to Hunt Handbook,", or for more info on the *Archery in the Schools Program*, contact Dr. Mary Kay Salwey, DNR state wildlife education specialist, phone: 608-685-3744 or write her at: e-mail to: marykay.salwey@dnr.state.wi.us
Fly-Fishing, & Deep Sea Fishing Schools-
	American Fly Fishing Schools.
	Learn Deep Sea Fishing at Myrtle Beach Charter Fishing School, located outside of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
	Dave Whitlock's Fly Fishing School, in Oklahoma, ranked in the top for Fly-fishing by “Outside Magazine-"Best Fly Fishing School."
	The Bass Federation, the nation’s “oldest broad-based, independent, grassroots organization in bass fishing, and truly is the backbone of the entire sport. The success of *“The Federation”* in improving and in educating our youth of the value of fishing has attracted worldwide attention.”
	ESPN's Bassmaster.Org, one of the largest fishing organizations in the world.
	Trout Unlimited, Their mission is to ensure that robust populations of native and wild cold water fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.
Hunting & Hunting Guide Schools-
	TR Michael's Hunting Guide School, located in Southeastern Minnesota.
	Montana Hunting Guide School & Guide Training Program
	Western Montana School for Guides
	Directory of Hunting Guides & Outfitters Schools.

Of Particular Note-
	Great Lakes School of Log Cabin Building, near Isabella, Minnesota.
	Becoming An Outdoor Woman (BOW International)
	Wisconsin Chapter of BOW, (National Headquarters)For more on the growing number of female hunters go to: USA Today-Women Aim for Hunting
	Lean how to take care of wild animals at the *British Columbia* SPCA Wild A.R.C. or get involved closer to home by visiting the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, in St Cloud, Mn.
	*Scouting of America-Support Services Project (loosely affiliated with the BSA)* sponsors a program in Fish & Wildlife Management, as part of the Merit Badge Program. They teach many other valuable outdoor skills to young men. Check out their Merit Badge Site, or the new Venture Program,. The *Venture Program* is a co-ed program for youth between the ages of 14 and 20 years. Another link to the *Outdoor Merit Badge Program* is at: Boys Scouts of America (BSA)-"Awards-Merit Badge."
Scuba Diving Schools-
® "For All Your Diving Needs"	Minnesota Scuba Diving School Minneapolis, Mn
	Seawolf Advanced Diving School,, on the Island of Antigua, one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea.
	Underwater Schools of America, located in San Diego, Ca,
	Professional Association of Diving Instructors *(PADI*), for an international directory of scuba schools to get certified as an Advanced Diver, or Advanced Diving Instructor.
	Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC), to get a U.S. listing of training centers and to learn more about a wide variety of underwater skills & occupations.
	For More Information, Check out Scuba Diving Magazine.
Trapping Classes-
	National Trappers Association
	Minnesota Trapping Classes-"About"
	Minnesota Trapping Association
Finally, the State Fish, Game, & *Wildlife Division (DNR)* in Your State probably has classes in the areas you are looking for. A link to all 50 States’ *DNR's* can be found at Butler Webs.Com-"DNR State List." [Check them out on the Web!]