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.

This page is organized into 11 Headings:•Archery & Bowhunting •Canoeing & Kayaking •Cross Country Skiing •Downhill Skiing •Underwater SCUBA Diving •Nature Photography •Unique Classes •DNR Sponsored Programs •Fly-fishing & Deep Sea Fishing •Hunting & Hunting Guides •Trapping •Survival Tips and •Other Resources. You can quickly go to our topics by clicking on the underlined headings above.

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. At this writing, it appears that bow hunting is catching on among high school girls. Be sure to look for our new bowhunting video when we add it to this site next month.(Fore more info on Outdoor Womens' classes, Click Here.)

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!

• Bliss Creek Wilderness Elk Guide & Bow Hunting School,. Their school is located near of Cody,Wyoming.

• Minnesota Bowhunters Inc, is located in Roseville, Mn. The MBI is a Minnesota state-wide organization, which has been representing, protecting, and promoting bowhunting since 1946.  As an association of bowhunters, their mission is to ensure that future generations of bowhunters will be able to enjoy the great sport of bowhunting, just as they enjoy the sport.  It is only by teaching good hunting habits, awareness of natural habitat, and dedication to growing future generations of bowhunters that the mission of the MBI will succeed.

• Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, is located near Clintonville, WI. The WBA participates in a scholarship program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point by granting 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.

• Dakota Bows, Inc. & Rick Welch's Bow-Shooting School, located in Paron, Arkansas.  Throughout the last decade, Mr. Rick Welch has won 45 U.S. & World Championships, exclusively using bows of his own design.  He continues to be the person to beat, at all national shooting events.  Mr. Welch is an accomplished bowyer and a nationally renowned traditional archery shooting instructor. He is passionate about bowhunting.  He offers a very comprehensive, 2 day traditional instructional shooting school.  To enroll in his school, please contact him, at rick@dakotabows.com.  You can also contact him about hosting a traditional instructional shooting school, in your state or town. At Mr. Welch’s On-line store, Dakota Enterprises, LLC, you will find an assortment of long bows, recurve-bows, bowhunting gear, and DVDs.

• National Archery in the Schools Program. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a joint venture between state departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners. The program promotes student education, physical education, and participation in the life-long Sport of Archery. The program’s focus is to provide International Style Target Archery training in physical education classes.

• Bear Mountain Canoe & Kayak Building School is located in Peterborough, ON, Canada . Learn how to build, maintain, and use a custom built canoe or kayak at their outdoor school near Chemong Lake in Ontario, Canada.

• 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 Out For Adventure strives to explore the most interesting, and often less known, areas of the destinations to make your trip as unique as possible. Canoe and kayak adventure tours range from three to five days. They have researched all trip routes paying meticulous attention to details. Traveling and camping with minimal impact on the natural surroundings is very important to them.

• 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. According to our sources: “The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the nation’s leading paddle sports organization.  The ACA is dedicated to serving the broader paddling public by providing education on all matters related to paddling, supporting stewardship of the paddling environment, and promoting programs and events to support paddle sports activities and events".

   

• Vail Nordic Ski School, for Cross Country Ski Instruction.  The Vail School has long been regarded as one of the best in the nation. Their Colorado Nordic Center offers a wide variety of outdoor fun for everyone to enjoy. In describing the surrounding, they offer "miles of groomed trails which wind through scenic Lodgepole Pine, Spruce and Aspen forests, near clear mountain streams, providing all attendees with spectacular panoramas".

• Bretton Woods Nordic Ski, Skate, & Snow board School, located in Bretton Woods, CT. On the grounds of the historic Mount Washington Hotel and the White Mountain National Forest, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross country areas in the East. The 100-km trail network crosses open fields, meanders through woods of spruce and fir, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams, and traverses open hardwood stands. Enjoy classical and skate skiing or snowshoeing on trails painstakingly prepared with their world-class trail-groomers.

• Alf Engen Ski School, is the Top Ski School in the Nation. It is located at Alta Lodge, in Alta, UT. The Alf Engen Ski School offers a variety of class and private lessons for children. The Children's Ski Adventures is for children ages 4-12 of all skill levels. Two-hour sessions or all-day packages including lunch are offered along with a Mountain Explorers Package for better skiers in good physical condition.

• Other Ski School References, “How 2 Ski-"School Resources."

• 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,", by clicking on one of the links on the left side of their web-page.

• 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 download a  “"Learn to Hunt Handbook,", or for more info on the Archery in the Schools Program, contact Dr. Mary Kay Salwey, WI DNR state wildlife education specialist, phone: 608-685-3744 or write her at: e-mail to: marykay.salwey@dnr.state.wi.us

• American Fly Fishing Schools. According to AFFS, their instructors are the most knowledgeable and experienced fly- fishing guides in America, in both fresh and saltwater fishing techniques.  By using the finest equipment available and “best-in-class” teaching methods, their instructors can teach you how to become a proficient fly-caster in both fresh and saltwater environments.  Some of their member fly-fishing schools offer tailored programs for corporate groups,” ladies-only classes”; special needs, and programs for youth.

• Deep Sea Fishing Classes at Ocean Island Fishing Center , located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Learn how to become a more effective Gulf Stream fisherman targeting species such as Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, and Billfish. Their aim is to teach their students to catch more fish while Gulf Stream fishing.  The class first includes a 2-3 hour school at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center  where skills such as tying rigs, rigging baits and more will be taught.  Then, students will leave the Fishing Center and head offshore aboard the OIFC 1 for a full day of Gulf Stream fishing.  This class is guaranteed to make you a better fisherman and is certainly the fastest way to turning a beginner into a pro.”

• Dave Whitlock's Fly Fishing School, in Oklahoma, ranked at the top for Fly-fishing by “Outside Magazine-"Best Fly Fishing School." If you are interested in learning how to fly fish or how to improve on your fly-fishing skills, you're invited to join both Emily & Dave Whitlock for a day or more of private instruction in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. Both Emily & Dave Whitlock are accomplished fishermen.

• The Bass Federation,They are 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, This is one of the largest fishing organizations in the world. Since 1968, BASS has been active in local, state and national conservation issues. In 1972, BASS initiated a "Don't Kill Your Catch" program that evolved into the modern "catch-and-release" ethic now practiced by nearly all bass anglers. There are currently Federation-Nation clubs in 46 of the United States, in addition to clubs in Canada, Mexico, Italy, Japan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

• 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".

• TR Michael's Hunting Guide School, Their in-field study area is located in beautiful southeastern Minnesota (home to monster whitetail bucks and big tom turkeys), the Rochester Goose Refuge, (home to 30,000 Giant Canada geese in the fall) and the largest elk farm in Minnesota (700+ head, including over 150 mature bulls) near Rochester, MN.  Their school is roughly 50 miles south of the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

• Montana Hunting Guide School & Guide Training Program at Swan Mountain, Montana. Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School in Swan Valley offers students the latest in hunting guide school instruction, hunting techniques, and hunting outfitter and adventurer training taught by recognized experts and professionals.  They offer a 4-5 week wilderness outdoor guide school, and 10 day outfitter or hunter and adventurer training programs in Glacier National Park adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.  They describe themselves as being a outdoor guide school for the 21st century.

• Western Montana School for Guides in Darby, Montana. The Western Montana School for Guides provides guide school students with in-depth, hands-on training in dozens of essential topics necessary for a career as a professional guide or outfitter, or simply for you to be a better outdoorsman.  Students will learn about horsemanship and trail riding, horseback pack trips, big game hunting and wilderness survival, use of maps and compasses, camp cooking techniques, wildlife and outdoor photography, CPR certification.  Learn new tips for big game trophy hunting for elk, deer, bear, mountain lions, etc. from a real western Montana Professional Outfitter.  No doubt, enrollees will learn first hand about the business of being a professional guide or outfitter.

• Directory of Hunting Guides & Outfitters Schools.

• The Center for Photography at Madison, The CPM is a non-profit organization. It provides a wide range of photography classes, workshops, lectures and programs, an exhibition space and sales gallery, a well-equipped darkroom, an informal meeting area, a library and resource center, a quarterly newsletter, opportunities for image sharing, portfolio reviews for those in and around the Madison, Wisconsin area.

Go to Professional Nature Photography

Go to Nature & Wildlife Photography

• Great Lakes School of Log Cabin Building, near Isabella, Minnesota. This school is a member of the International Log Builders' Association (ILBA). They teach by using the principles set forth in the Association's Log Building Standards. The Great Lakes School has been promoting and teaching the craft of Scandinavian full-scribed log construction for 33 years. Their ten-day course is taught so that it can handle all skill levels. They invite men and women of all ages to participate. The school's primary mission is to provide their students who have an avocational interest in log-building, the skills needed to build for themselves.

• Becoming An Outdoor Woman (BOW International) located at Steven's Point, Wisconsin. "More women are learning about and enjoying hunting, fishing, backpacking, shooting sports, canoeing and many other outdoor recreational activities.  Women students will learn outdoor skills, required to enjoy all of these activities.  Beginners are their specialty.  Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Programs offer a mix of outdoor skills over a three-day format. Although their main program is designed for the novice, they also offer a Beyond BOW program focusing on developing a particular outdoors skill.  All equipment is provided".

• Wisconsin Chapter of BOW, (National Headquarters), is also located on the campus of the Univ of Wisconsin at Steven's Point. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an award-winning outdoors skills program for women.  Their tremendously popular workshops teach introductory hunting and shooting, fishing, and other outdoor activities like camping and canoeing in a supportive environment.  The weekend-long workshops offer over 20 different activities including firearm safety, basic fishing, fly fishing, camping, shotgun, rifle, bowhunting and archery, outdoor cooking, canoeing, map and compass, survival for this fast growing part of the Outdoors.

• 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."

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"For All Your Diving Needs"

• Minnesota Scuba Diving School Minneapolis, Mn . The Minnesota SCUBA Center has been teaching scuba diving for over 35 years.  They were Minnesota’s first PADI 5 Star Training Facility and have grown to become Minnesota’s largest scuba diving school.  All of the divers working at their locations are certified scuba instructors.  They offer a complete range of scuba diving training classes from Beginner (Open Water Diver), to Advanced (Adventures-in-Diving), Rescue Diver, Specialty Training Courses, Emergency First Responder, Divemaster, and the PADI (IDC) Instructor Development Classes.

• Seawolf Advanced Diving School,, on the Island of Antigua. Antigua is one of the more picturesque Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. This site features historical forts and dockyards, 365 white sand beaches, beautiful rainforests and remarkable underwater topography with reefs teeming with marine life. In southern Antigua, a person can explore pristine reefs, amazing rock formations and a myriad of ocean life, just minutes from the historical Nelson's Dockyard. Another option, is to head out for a day's adventure and explore the beautiful waters surrounding nearby Green Island. Sea Wolf can show you the wonders of Antigua both below the water and above.

• Underwater Schools of America, located in San Diego, Ca. The Underwater Schools of America is a SSI affiliated dive location; so prospective students know their training will incorporate the most modern diving techniques and technology.  The school’s instructors are licensed dive professionals who serve as guides for the students’ journey into “an unspoiled paradise with creatures unknown to their imagination and beyond their normal adventures.”  The school offers entry-level training through instructor.  Their seven classes include: 1) Open Water, 2) Advanced Open Water, 3) Stress & Rescue, 4) Master Diver, 5) Dive Control Specialist, 6) Adaptive SCUBA, and 7) SafeAir® techniques.

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Go to PADI, for an International Directory of Scuba Schools so that you can get certified as an Advanced Diver, or as an Advanced Diving Instructor.

• Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC),Go to PDIC get a U.S. listing of training centers and to learn more about a wide variety of underwater skills, classes, and underwater jobs.

For More Diving Information, Check out Scuba Diving Magazine.

• National Trappers Association The NTA is committed to defending and promoting the safe and ethical harvest of fur bearing mammals and to the preservation and enhancement of their habitats.  Fifty-one state trapping affiliates make up the core of the national organization representing thousands of fur harvesters from every part of the country.  The National Trappers Association and its members continue to research and encourage the development and use of the most effective and humane trapping techniques available.  The reintroduction of the river otter throughout America’s river systems is one example of the successful partnership between trappers and wildlife managers.

• Minnesota Trapping Classes-"About"(an article)

• Minnesota Trapping Association.“Belonging to a group of Minnesota Trappers united for a common good will give you worthwhile opportunities to improve your catch, learn new techniques, and make long-lasting friendships with like-minded sportsmen. By joining the MTA, their friendly members will help you to increase the quality of your time in the field.  The MTA has discussion groups, forums, and other exchanges where the “skills and stories” around fur-handling, marketing, and trapping techniques are related to others.  First time trappers are especially encouraged to join and enjoy their association.”

Enter the Total Outdoorsman Challenge!

• 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!]

• For Avid Outdoor Enthusiasts, you will find a plethora of outdoor recreation & sports resources, on our Outdoor Sports Connections & Recreational Connections Pages.