Adventures in Recreation

T2T, Maine Policy Scholars, and Facebook...

2010-04-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

It's true, you read that title correctly.
UMPI Recreation and Leisure Services is the proud
new member of Facebook Groups. If you are a member of Facebook,
and are also a member or fan of UMPI Recreation and Leisure Services,
please consider becoming a member of our group! This will be another
great opportunity for you to access important information about
the program, while also hearing about all the fun we seem to have!

Speaking of fun, this past weekend was a great opportunity for Anja, Amanda, Leah and Kaitie to head down to Windham for the Teens to Trails Biennial Conference. It was a full day of manning a booth to promote the University, checking out workshops on everything from Biathlon 101 to Cooking in the Outdoors, and networking with outdoor recreation specialists and enthusiasts from across the State of Maine.

ABOVE: Mike Smith and Seth Hubbard, of Maine Winter Sports Center, did three workshops introducing teens and other conference-goers to the sport/art of Biathlon!

ABOVE: Kaitie Sprangers and Leah Finnemore at the UMPI display/table, feeling tired from an early morning!

Lastly, as the end of UMPI's Spring 2010 is starting to wrap up, with approximately one month of classes to go, Leah Finnemore has completed her research for the Maine Policy Scholar program. On Friday, April 9, she will present to a panel of legislators and policy experts her policy memo concerning Fiscal Responsibility for Backcountry Evacuations. A similar presentation will take place at 8:30AM on University Day, April 14, on the UMPI campus, and at the Northeast Regional Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Conference, taking place April 23-25 in Nobleboro, Maine. See all policy scholar memos, including Leah's, on the Maine Community Foundation website.

Almost Spring in the County!

2010-03-12T13:30:00.001-08:00

The weather outside is currently a balmy 40 degrees, and it's the 12th of March!
As I have recently received my third sunburn in the past week, I am interested to see how the rest of our "winter" plays out here in the County! With JOs going on at Nordic Heritage Center, we all have a good excuse to get out and enjoy the snow in fewer layers of clothing than normal!

A quick update on the Financial Responsibility for Backcountry Evacuations research I am currently involved with...
Check out this link to read the write-up I was blessed to receive in the Bangor Daily News! More to come in the next month as I wrap up the research and create my final memo to the Governor.

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course has been getting some hours in outdoors! The photo above shows students in the class doing their mandatory litter carry, with "injured individual" and all, approximately a mile through the snow!

APRIL: For those of you who were unable to sign up for the WFR course, and would like some training and certification in Wilderness medicine...Sign up now for the 16 hour Wilderness First Aid Course, being offered at UMPI by Dr. Anja Whittington. This course is also available to current WFR certified individuals who are looking to re-certify. For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Anja at (207) 768-9537 or at anja.whittington@umpi.edu

Once again, the Outdoor Pursuits class has been attacking the outdoors, this time to get some winter camping experience! The group did an overnight at Aroostook State Park, which involved splitting up various tasks to do while on the trip and quite a bit of planning beforehand. This photo shows the end result of a hard day's work, relaxing around a nice fire.

More to come...
The Junior Olympics wrap up competitions tomorrow, starting at 9AM, so come out to cheer on your favorite skiers! The weather has been beautiful, and there are plenty of trails open at NHC, so feel free to jump on your skis and head out for the morning or afternoon! Coming next week we'll have an update on the vast number of volunteers that UMPI sent to JOs, and on the final results. New England is currently leading the team results, so come tomorrow and cheers us on!

Happy recreating!

UMPI's Frozen Frenzy and USSA Junior Olympics

2010-03-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of exciting things happening on campus and in nearby Presque Isle in the next two weeks!

Check out the following schedule for UMPI's very own FROZEN FRENZY! There are a ton of great activities for students, faculty, and staff to get involved with over the next few days. Make sure to get out and enjoy what's left of winter!

February 26 – March 4
OWL SNOW SCULPTURE - Whenever you have some free time, help create the largest UMPI Owl snow sculpture at South Hall front yardTuesday, March 2
3:30 – 5 P. M. Behind Gentile Hall - Snow Shoe Scavenger Hunt, Tubing, Ice Chunk Throw - First 15 students will receive UMPI Neck Gaiter.
7 P. M. 1st Can/Am Challenge - at lighted Tennis Courts Frozen Frenzy Broomball - students can play on either team. First 15 students receive UMPI Neck Gaiter.

Wednesday, March 3
12 – 4 P. M. or Later - North side of Tennis Courts - Dog Sled Rides - Cost $2 sign up and pay for rides at Gentile Hall.
2-3pm near Tennis Courts, Maple Syrup Candy
3:30pm next to Gentile Hall. - Frozen Frenzy Obstacle/Relay Race - First 15 students receive UMPI Neck Gaiter
4:15pm Tennis Courts - 2nd Can/Am Challenge: Frozen Frenzy Soccer – First 15 students receive UMPI Neck Gaiters
4 P. M. Van Departs from Gentile Hall for Skiing and Snowboarding at Big Rock
6:45 and 9 P. M. UMPI HOCKEY Game Take a van to CHEER ON the UMPI hockey team at The Forum - First 15 students who wear blue and gold receive UMPI Neck Gaiter.
7 P. M. MPR - Movie, Cool Running

Thursday, March 4
1 – 3 P. M. Ice Skating van to go to The Forum, rentals $1 - First 10 students receive UMPI Neck Gaiters.
3:30 P. M. Tennis courts - 3rd Can/Am Challenge, Ultimate Frozen Frenzy Frisbee First 15 students will receive UMPI Neck Gaiter
6:30 P. M. at the Library parking lot – Campfire with *Snow Sculpture recognition, *Drawing of prizes, *1st Can/Am Challenge award presentation
*Grand Prize L. L. Bean - $100 gift certificate

Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Coming up next week, the 2010 USSA Cross Country Skiing Junior Olympics will be taking place in Presque Isle at the Nordic Heritage Center! Beginning March 5, and continuing until March 14, JOs will host a large field of competitors, including a few Maine Winter Sports Center skiers! Opening Ceremonies (similar to those in Vancouver) will take place March 7 in Gentile Hall. Volunteers are still needed for this event, and it's not too late to sign up!

2010-02-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

Before heading out on a much needed vacation, Anja Whittington's Outdoor Pursuits II (OPII) class ventured down to Big Rock in Mars Hill for some lessons in downhill skiing. If you remember from before, OPII is the same group who had a crash course in cross country skiing at Aroostook State Park a few weeks ago. The Thursday afternoon session at Big Rock was led by Mark Shea (left, wearing orange). Mark is the Marketing Manager/Snow School Director at Big Rock, and an alumnus of the University of Maine at Presque Isle! He currently teaches adventurous individuals how to ski, as you can see from these awesome photos!

[ABOVE Clint Carter, student at UMPI, "If you’re not falling you’re not trying hard enough..."]

On a scholarly note...
Leah Finnemore, Senior Recreation and Leisure Services student, has been involved in a research opportunity through the Maine Policy Scholars program. As the 2009 scholar from UMPI, Leah has had the opportunity to research and discuss an issue that is facing the State of Maine today, which is Fiscal Responsibility for Backcountry Evacuations. For an overview of the project, watch Leah's interview with WAGM by clicking on the link below!
LEAH FINNEMORE ON WAGM WITH LAURA THOMAS

As part of her research, Leah has created an online survey for recreation enthusiast across Maine. Take a few minutes and fill out the survey, which is completely anonymous; we welcome your feedback!
RECREATION RESEARCH SURVEY 2010

Many of you are familiar with UMPI's Nordic Ski Coach, Alexei Sotskov. In his first year at UMPI, Alexei has set the team off on the right foot at the beginning of Carnival season (called "Carnival" races because they are a combination of Nordic and Alpine competitions), and we are wrapping up the season with the Williams Carnival this weekend and next weekend at EISA Championships, held in Middlebury, Vermont. Since February 9, however, Alexei has been coaching the New Zealand XC Ski Team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver! To stay updated on this amazing adventure of Alexei's, check out the blog he is keeping...
ALEXEI GOES TO VANCOUVER 2010

Thanks for reading, and happy recreating!

2010-02-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Does it feel like January was here one moment and gone the next?
I have been back to UMPI for a month, as of tomorrow, and I can't
believe how fully scheduled the beginning of this semester has been.
Thankfully we have had a perfect blend of winter weather to accommodate our
winter sports, such as skiing and snowshoeing.

COMING SOON:
*Dr. Anja Whittington will be teaching a 16 hour Wilderness First Aid course in April. The course cost is $100.00 and covers the two day event, as well as certification fees. For more information, please contact Anja at (207)768-9537 or through email at anja.whittington@maine.edu!

As for lately-I thought I would highlight some of the recent activities students have been taking part in, both on campus and throughout Aroostook County...

*Dr. Anja Whittington and her Outdoor Pursuits II class hit the trails at Aroostook State Park on Thursday, January 28. The class, 8 individuals total, spent the afternoon cross country skiing throughout the park's various trails. On another note, the class also participated in some impromptu sledding! Check out the photos below, provided by class member Kaitie Sprangers (pictured, yellow shorts).

*Amanda Morin and UMPI's Outdoor Adventure Program International (OAPI) spent last Saturday with Heywood Kennels in Stockholm, Maine...check out the photo and the link below!
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/135887.html

Spring 2010 is underway!

2010-01-20T18:00:00.001-08:00

Lots of excitement over the last few days as we all settle back into our new classes and our dorm rooms!

This week has been full of activities, with the UMPI Hockey Team playing two games at the Forum in Presque Isle (Monday and Wednesday) and the Men's/Women's Basketball Teams playing games in Fort Kent on Wednesday night.

The Recreation and Leisure Services Department is offering the following courses for Spring 2010, and it's NOT too late to sign up!
-REC 122 Leadership Training in Recreation
-REC 232 Program Planning and Development
-REC 233 Wilderness First Responder
-REC 235 Outdoor Pursuits II
-REC 364 Introduction to Rock Climbing (Full with 13 students!)\
-REC 420 Natural and Cultural Resource Protection
-REC 488 Management of Leisure Services

[For more information about any of these courses, visit www.umpi.edu]

Happy first week of classes to all students and faculty!!

Skiing..Snowshoeing..The County HAS SNOW!

2010-01-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

There are so many opportunities right now for getting out and enjoying these vacation days! Just over the last week, Presque Isle and the surrounding area have gotten fresh snow at least twice. Maybe we didn't get 10 inches, but it's nice to see some new cover every now and again. The word on the street is that Big Rock, Aroostook State Park, and the Nordic Heritage Center are all busy hosting adventurous folk who are up for some snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, snowboarding, and even sledding!
So, students, take advantage of the opportunity to get out of the house before you're back to school on the 19th! It'll be here before you know it!

Things to check out:
*Frosted Fun: January 10, 2010; Hosted by 10th Mountain Ski Club in Fort Kent
FMI-http://www.10thmtskiclub.org/events.html

*Aroostook Women's Ski Day: February 7, 2010; At NHC in Presque Isle

**More to come in the near future!**

Welcome!

2009-12-15T19:09:00.001-08:00

This is a brand new adventure for the University of Maine at Presque Isle Recreation and Leisure Services Department! As a way to stay connected with current students and an opportunity for making ourselves available to prospective students, we will be managing and updating this Blogspot regularly! On this site you will find...
*Videos of crazy adventures students and faculty have already undertaken
*Photos of these adventures, as well as some more that we couldn't catch on video
*Answers to questions you have about the UMPI Recreation and Leisure Services Dept.
*Access to current students and faculty through comments and email
*Awhole lot more!

~Thanks for reading, and check back soon for an update~
Happy recreating!