Outdoor Chattanooga winter workshops to offer public fun new skills

Chattanooga — Beginning on Thurs., Jan. 7, from 6-8 p.m., Outdoor Chattanooga will host a series of weekly Winter Workshops to teach the public essential skills and fun tricks for camping, hiking, cycling, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. All workshops are free, unless otherwise noted, and will be held at Outdoor Chattanooga's facility, at 200 River St., next to the Walnut St. Bridge in Coolidge Park.

The first workshop, taught by adventure racer Jim Farmer on Jan. 7, will feature essential map and compass skills. "GPS units are great. I use one to track my daily bicycle commute," says Farmer. "But knowing how to navigate with a simple compass and map is a time tested skill that will never fail you."

Subsequent Winter Workshops will cover topics like runners’ health, backcountry cooking, bicycle maintenance, building a superlight camping stove from a soda pop can, and an introduction to wooden boat building.

“We scheduled these free workshops to give the public an opportunity to learn from some of the area’s most knowledgeable outdoor enthusiasts,” says Outdoor Chattanooga Executive Director Philip Grymes. “Playing outside is even more fun when you learn some tricks from the hard cores.”

All workshops will take place on Thurs. evenings from 6 - 8 p.m. and are free to the public, except for the Weave a Basket from Kudzu workshop, which will take place on Sat., Feb. 6, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and cost $25 for materials.

Parking is available at Coolidge Park lots for $1 for two hours or free on River St. after 4:30 p.m. Indoor bicycle parking is free at the Outdoor Chattanooga facility.

Workshop participants can identify Outdoor Chattanooga by the dark green construction fencing surrounding the front yard. Enter the building from the side adjacent to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre parking lot.

For more information, the public may call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888 or email Minya James at Minya@OutdoorChattanooga.com.

Winter Workshop Schedule:

Jan. 7: Navigation with Map and Compass

Learn the basics of land navigation using three basic tools; a map, compass and a brain. Navigation fundamentals will be followed by hands-on play time. Please bring a compass if you have one. Instructor: Jim Farmer.

Jan. 14: No Workshop

Jan. 21: Runners Clinic

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter Lund will be the keynote speaker in this discussion session on health and injury prevention for runners. Hosted by Select Physical Therapy. Refreshments will be provided.

Jan. 28: How to Build an Outdoor Stove . . . from a Coke Can!

Don't spend a bundle. Craft a highly efficient and uber-lightweight alcohol burning stove. Long-distance weight weenies and old school cowboys welcome. Instructor: Eric Wiese, The North Face.

Feb. 4: Backcountry Cuisine

Say goodbye to peanut butter and ramen and learn some tricks to eating big on the trail. Recipes, meal and ration planning, food dehydration and samples! Instructor: Minya James, Outdoor Chattanooga.

Feb. 6 (Saturday): Weave a Basket from Kudzu

Construct an Appalachian-style egg basket from split kudzu, privet hedge and wisteria. Times: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $25 for materials. Instructor: Bill Haley, TN Aquarium. Pre-registration required. Email wgh@tnaqua.org or call (423) 756-4106 to register. Class size limit: 10.

Feb. 11: Bike Mechanics 101

Learn the basics of do-it-yourself bike maintenance. There are a few essentials every cyclist should know to keep his or her steed road and trail ready. Instructor: Mike Teff, Chattanooga Trek Store.

Feb. 18: Tea, Cookies and Catholes: Being Girls in the Backcountry

Join us for a ladies-only evening of unfiltered outdoor girl chat and a dessert potluck. Personal experience, questions, comments and concerns are all welcome. Please bring a tea mug and any stories and/or sweets you would like to share. Moderator: Minya James, Outdoor Chattanooga.

Feb. 25: Misunderstood Outdoor Creepie-Crawlies

Remember those creepy-crawlies that your parents warned you about? Learn to recognize various snakes, spiders and the itch-inducing flora of the Southeast. Instructor: Tiffany Herron, Outdoor Chattanooga.

Mar. 4: Tree Identification

Learn to identify a number of the more than 100 tree species that are native to the Chattanooga area. Take Root Chattanooga uses 33 of these species in their downtown forestry efforts. Instructor: Preston Roberts, Take Root Chattanooga.

Mar. 11: Introduction to Wooden Boat Building

Learn about wooden boat building techniques and styles, and how to get started building your own wooden kayak, dinghy or canoe. Instructor: Rob Paden, Outdoor Adventure Rafting

Mar. 18 – Knots You Need to Know

Whether you’re a climber, dog owner or an aspiring crusty old sailor, you ought to know your knots. Learn to tie some new knots and perfect the old ones. Instructor: Philip Grymes, Outdoor Chattanooga.

Mar. 25: Planning Overnight Adventures

How do you plan a backpacking trip, bike tour or overnight paddle? Learn about must-have and have-not gear, maps, routes and other trip essentials. Bring your maps, gear, and questions. Instructors: Minya James and Tiffany Herron, Outdoor Chattanooga.

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Outdoor Chattanooga’s mission is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitor population, which, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s natural and built resources, and help grow the region’s economy.

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