Outdoor Recreation

Recreational outdoor activities.

Sub-headings:

Amusement Parks

Hunting & Fishing

Resources in this category:

America WALKs
http://www.americawalks.org/

"America WALKs is a national coalition of walking advocacy groups dedicated to promoting livable communities where people walk because it's a realchoice. Our mission is to foster the development of community-based walking advocacy groups, and to educate and inform the public about the benefits of walking, in order to improve conditions for walking. "

American Association for Leisure and Recreation
http://www.aahperd.org/aalr/template.cfm

"The American Association for Leisure and Recreation serves recreation professionals -- practitioners, educators, and students -- who advance the profession and enhance the quality of life of all Americans through creative and meaningful leisure and recreation experiences." The site includes information on interest areas, programs and events, professional development, political advocacy, and association publications.

American Bicycle Association
http://www.ababmx.com/

This is the site of the American Bicycle Association, "The World's Largest BMX Sanctioning Body." This site includes an application to join the association, as well as information on what is necessary to become a member. There is a listing of bicycle tracks around the country, a complete list of rules, information on past champions, a brief history of the sport, and links to other BMX sites. The page also lists upcoming races and the results of past races, including their point values for the ranking system. This site has advanced information for people already involved in the sport, as well as basic information for those just geting interested.

American Camping Association
http://www.aca-camps.org/

"The American Camping Association is a community of camp professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. Site includes the on-line Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps, a searchable directory of accredited camps, as well as information for camp professionals, parents, and the media."

American Federation of Aviculture
http://www.afabirds.org/

"The AFA is dedicated to the promotion of aviculture and the conservation of Avian Wildlife through the encouragement of captive breeding programs, scientific research and the education of the general public. To promote the interests of aviculture , the AFA works to educate legislators within the U.S.A."

American Hiking Society
http://www.americanhiking.org/

"American Hiking Society is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting hiking and trails in America. Through more than 100 affiliated clubs, AHS represents half a million trail advocates and serves as the voice of the American hiker in the nation's capital. AHS works to educate the public in the many benefits of trails, to increase the constituency for hiking and trails, and to foster research on trail issues." This site provides links to information regarding trail protection, events, membership,access to hiking clubs, legislative matters and publications.

American Kitefliers Association
http://www.aka.kite.org/

"The American Kitefliers Association was founded in 1964 by the late Robert M. Ingraham of New Mexico. Now, with over 4,000 members, in 35 countries, we are the largest association of kiters in the world. Our purpose is to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites - to advance the joys and values of kiting in all nations. We are men, women, adults and children, from all walks of life. Our interests run from kitebuilding to multi-line kite competition, from miniature kites, to aerial photography and more. Some of us are in the kite trade, but we are not a trade organization." Find out about the organization and its chapters, festivals, conventions, publications, and products.

The American Whitewater Affiliation
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/

"The mission of the American Whitewater Affiliation is to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." This page has links to information regarding membership, resources, rivers, publications, conservation and affiliates.

Association of Camp Nurses
http://www.campnurse.org/aboutacn/index.html

"The Association of Camp Nurses (ACN) is a professional nursing organization established to promote and develop the practice of camp nursing for a healthy camp community. The organization is volunteer-driven by nurses who are committed to developing camp practice and working to provide healthy camp communities. " Information on relevant research, professional forums and meetings as well as job opportunities is provided.

Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
http://www.apbp.org/

"Founded in 1995, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals promotes excellence in the emerging professional discipline of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Our members include leaders in the engineering, planning, landscape architecture, safety and promotion fields who specialize in improving conditions for bicycling and walking. "

Association on Canadian Mountain Guides
http://www.acmg.ca/

"The ACMG has grown to over 200 members and Canadian guides can be found working around the world and are perhaps best known for having developed helicopter skiing and setting the acknowledged standard for safety and client care in ski guiding. The ACMG is a registered non-profit society with an elected, volunteer executive. The association and its activities are funded solely by membership dues and donations." Information for guides is available here about the association as well as job opportunities. There are also suggestions for people thinking about hiring a guide and lists of available guides.

British Cave Research Association
http://www.bcra.org.uk/

"The BCRA is a registered charity whose object is to promote the study of caves and associated phenomena. It attains this object by supporting cave & karst research; by encouraging original exploration (both in the UK and on expeditions overseas); by collecting and publishing speleological information; maintaining a library; and organising educational and scientific conferences and meetings. The Association is also a 'representative body' for individual cavers, within the National Caving Association." The Website includes information on the association, its meetings and publications.

Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums
http://www.caza.ca/

"A non-profit organization established to promote the welfare of and encourage the advancement and improvement of zoology, recreation, education, conservation and science. This Web site is intended to bring CAZA Members together, to exchange information, share ideas, and provide an opportunity to showcase the many exciting ways that zoos and aquariums are evolving."

Canadian Yachting Association
http://www.sailing.ca/

The CYA website is "an introduction to boating activity across Canada. Here you will find contact information for CYA officials, the provincial sailing associations, member sailing schools, lists of member yacht clubs and much, much more." The site keeps track of current sailing news and events and is available in French or English versions.

Highpointers
http://highpointers.org/

Members seek to reach the geographical high point of elevation in each U.S. state. Website includes resources, stories, news of members' latest accomplishments, convention information.

Hoverclub of America, Inc.
http://www.hoverclubofamerica.org/

"While hovercraft might seem novel or even strange to many people, to those that know of them and their capabilities there is a fascination bordering on obsession. The intrigue and respect for these unique, amphibious machines is what the Hoverclub of America, Inc. is all about. The Hoverclub of America consists of enthusiasts whose passion is hovercraft; cruising them, racing them, building them." The site includes information about hovercraft design and racing, a calendar of events, links to related hovercraft sites, classified ads, and membership information. Some of the articles are free; others require payment. Adobe Acrobat is necessary to view some documents.

International Mountain Bicycling Association
http://www.imba.com/

"The mission of IMBA is to promote mountain bicycling opportunities through education in environmentally sound and socially responsible riding practices and land management policies. IMBA is the only national or international organization devoted solely to responsible riding and land access for mountain bicyclists." Site contains membership information, a library, and rules of the road.

The League of American Bicyclists
http://www.bikeleague.org/

"The League of American Bicyclists has been working to improve the quality of bicycling in America almost as long as there have been bicycles. The League¹s advocacy efforts focus on improving riding conditions, easing inequitable restrictions on transit access, and increasing the visibility of bicycles in national transportation policy."

National Brotherhood of Skiers
http://www.nbs.org/

"The NBS has 84 predominantly African American ski clubs scattered through out the U.S. and Canada. Our mission is to identify, select and finance training of a potential Olympic caliber African American youth and promote skiing within the African American communities." The site has information about the organizations and youth ski teams as well as links to the affiliated clubs and other sites that might be of interest.

National Wildlife Federation
http://www.nwf.org/

Check out the status of wolves and the Everglades from the people whose mission is to "educate, inspire and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures to conserve wildlife and other natural resources and to protect the Earth's environment in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future."

Parks and People Foundation
http://www.parksandpeople.org/

"Parks & People Foundation works to improve the quality of life in Baltimore neighborhoods. Our staff, volunteers, and partners in the community develop innovative solutions to issues facing our city including the restoration of our neighborhoods and their natural resources as well as the academic enrichment and motivation of our children." Website includes special events, youth programs, news, volunteer opportunities, and organization information.

Professional Ski Instructors of America
http://www.psia.org/01/home/home.asp

"As international leaders in mountain sports and recreation, we inspire a great love and appreciation for, and life-long commitment to, the mountain experience." If you have "questions about ski areas, ski schools or equipment, check out some links we've provided."

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
http://www.railstotrails.org/

"Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a 10-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors."

Soaring Society of America
http://www.ssa.org/

Organization founded in 1932 to "foster and promote all phases of soaring," powerless flight which includes gliders, hang-gliders, paragliders, and sailplanes. Website includes a calendar of events and information on becoming a pilot and soaring safety.

U.S. Parachute Association
http://uspa.org/

"The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the safe enjoyment of skydiving. USPA works with skydiving centers and clubs, member skydivers, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to identify and eliminate potentially unsafe practices and provide proper training for instructors and skydivers." With information for both beginners and experienced skydivers, this site has general information on skydiving, links to skydiving schools and clubs, safety and training info, news about competitions, and a calendar of events.

United Skateboarding Association
http://www.unitedskate.com/

"The United Skateboarding Association (USA) was started in February of 1998, because it was time to give back to skateboarding, those things that made us love life around skateboarding. It was created as an amateur skateboard competition league." This Web site includes membership information, upcoming events, and skate links.

The Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, Ltd.
http://www.wcha.org/

"A non-profit membership association devoted to preserving, studying, building, restoring and using wood-canvas, cedar strip and birchbark canoes, and to disseminating information about canoeing heritage in North America."