Climber Treks to Nepal

BOM Senior Field Editor, Phil Henderson returned from his second month long trip in Nepal where he volunteered as a climbing instructor for the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation (ALCF) Khumbu Climbing School. The Khumbu Climbing School is an annual vocational training and instructional program for Nepali climbers. The school is designed to increase technical competency and hopefully lower the mortality rate of Nepali people who work and climb in the high altitude mountain regions of Nepal. Training is conducted on frozen waterfalls and rock outcrops near the village of Phortse. Check out the website for ALCF at www.alexlowe.org

Bass Pro Shop hosts Free Seminars

Bass Pro Shops in Hanover, MD hosted free fishing seminars from pro anglers and Bass Pro Shops pro staff March 2-4. Such seminar facilitators included Jimmy Houston, host of Jimmy Houston Outdoors, Captain Matt Marlowe, Chesapeake Bay Bass Pro Staff, and 15-year old Jelanie Hennessey, founder of Bass Fishing 4 Kids at www.bassfishing4kids.com and Mid-Atlantic Regional Bass champion.

Thousands Attend Eastern Outdoor Show

Thousands showed up the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Noted as the largest outdoor expo for fishing and hunting in the country participants enjoyed hundreds of exhibits and workshops ranging from freshwater fishing to turkey hunting. For more information on next year’s expo, go to www.easternsportsshow.com.

Sea Quest Kids Launch New Video

The Sea Quest Kids release their third DVD “Boating and Water Safety Video for Kids and Families”. This latest release in the mega video series is hot off the presses at the Advance America Foundation Film and Television Production Center. The “Water Ski Safety” DVD is a half hour safety video featuring a strong line up of KBN Sea Action News Field reporters who also happen to be accomplished veteran water ski competitors.

Bicycle Summit held in Washington, DC

The seventh annual National Bicycle Summit was held in Washington D.C. March 14-16, 2007.More than 300 bicycling industry executives, advocates and educators met at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. and in a series of workshops to discuss bicycles as a means for positive climate change, a healthier nation, in addition to discussing bicycle access issues, both on- and off-road. During the Summit workshops attendees developed a national bicycling strategy, while also outlining the details of specific legislative proposals. The National Bike Summit is produced by Washington D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation.

Student Club is Again Seeking Passage of a Bill in Assembly

Four Oakland Mills High School (Howard County, MD) students from a club with a history of effecting change testified at a hearing on Lyme disease legislation conducted in Annapolis by the House Health and Government Operations Committee.

The members of the Sister to Sister Club told the committee about their month long research in which they contacted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, infectious disease specialists, veterinarians and legislators from Howard and Montgomery counties.

“They did fairly well,” said the group’s adviser and founder, Joslyn Wolfe, an English teacher at Oakland Mills. “They understand that the bills don’t necessarily make it through. They said they are ready to lose a battle if it means winning a war.”

In 2005—after two years and multiple trips to Annapolis—a bill conceived by other Sister to Sister students was approved by the General Assembly. That bill enlarged the pool of bone marrow donors by allowing people younger than 18 to register with a physician’s approval.

This year, the students spoke on behalf of House Bill 836, which would require the state to launch a campaign to raise public awareness of Lyme disease, a bacteria spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks.

Symptoms for Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash, according to the CDC. In 2005, 23,305 cases of Lyme disease were reported in the United States, the CDC said. With 1,235 cases, Maryland recorded the seventh-highest number of new cases in the nation.

Wolfe said four members of the group—ninth-grader Cortney Aikens, 10th-graders Justina Spinella and Denazja Smith, and 11th-grader Yasmin Alsubhi—each prepared for the testimony by writing and revising a speech. They also prepared to field questions from members of the committee.

Join The Amistad Atlantic Freedom Tour Crew

Amistad is now hiring for the 2007-2008 season. We are launching a new college level educational program – African American and maritime studies and are looking for talented crew who have an interest in the Amistad story. We are hiring immediately for a chief mate, and are primarily hiring mates and engineers for January through March (but deckhands please apply if interested), and for all positions March 2007 – September 2008.

For application details check JOIN THE 2007 CREW at http://www.amistadamerica.org/

Fresco Adventures Heads to Peru

Fresco Adventures Outdoor Club is heading to Peru in Thanksgiving to exploring the land of the Inca’s and Machu Picchu. Fresco is celebrating its fifth year Peru as they set for an 8 day trip to encounter the rich combination of natural wonders and cultural treasures in Peru. The trip includes guided adventure tours through the cities of Lima, Cusco, Urubamba, and Machu Picchu. For more information, go to fun@frescoadventure.com

Black Boaters Summit

BOM Senior Staff Editor, Marcus Asante, will captain one of many catamaran and power yachts at the 10th Annual Black Boaters Summit in the British Virgin Islands. Asante, along with founder Captain Paul Mixon will sail with a flotilla around the Caribbean island on August 3-12, 2007. For more information call CAPT. MARCUS ASANTE at (410) 371- 0540 or visit www.blackboaterssummit.com.

Spring Programs Begin at the Patuxent Research Refuge

The April programs are finally here! The spring programs at the Patuxent Research Refuge are underway. These programs are free and are offered to everyone. Here’s a short list of the programs. For more information, visit www.patuxent.fws.gov

Wildflower Wanders

• Saturday, April 7th, 9-11am, All Ages
• Sunday, April 29th, 9-11am, All Ages
• Discover the role that wild flowers play in the ecosystem and learn to
  identify some common species on this guided walk. Field guide, water, and
• magnifying glass recommended.

Begin with Birds

Saturday, April 7th, 8:15-10:30am, All Ages
Have you ever been on a bird walk & been frustrated by NOT seeing what
others see? Or have you never been birding at all? Well then, migrate on
over with the warblers and learn what birding is all about! Binoculars

Bird Tours

• Monday, April 9th, 8:15-11:15am, Ages 16+
• Wednesday, April 25th, 8:15-11:15am, Ages 16+

Identify birds in several refuge habitats on this guided tour with short
walks. Field guides and binoculars recommended.

Recreational Forum held in Atlanta

Recreation and wildlife leaders, educators and others met at the Recreation Forum this March in Atlanta as one of many recreational forums held across the nation to address the future of recreation and outdoor activities. The regional forums are expected to generate discussions among national leaders in the public and private sectors with attempts to unify public policy efforts by those seeking to sustain recreation’s positive contributions to life in America. The regional forums will be held in Colorado, Georgia, California, Oregon and Illinois. For more information go to www.recreationforums.info.

Adventures in Travel Expo Comes to Washington, D.C.

The 4th annual Adventure and Travel Expo held March 3-4, 2007 at the Washington DC Convention Center was a great success. Participants had the opportunity to attend outdoor seminars and visit hundreds of vendor booths to get the best discounts on domestic and international outdoor adventure packages. “We want our attendees to find a different vacation and experience memories for a lifetime”, says John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm. The expo is also hosted in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Get Ready to Go Wild During National Wildlife Week

Join family, friends, and others across the country to celebrate wildlife and nature during 2007 National Wildlife Week, April 21-29. Starting Saturday, April 21st and coinciding with Earth Day, the National Wildlife Federation event provides lots of opportunities to go wild. To learn more about National Wildlife Week, National Wildlife Watch and community service projects, visit www.nwf.org/nationalwildlifeweek.