The following blog is an excerpt from, There is Snow Much Fun to be Had in National Parks! by the National Park Foundation. Brrrr! There’s definitely a nip in the air, or is that jack frost at your toes? When the cold weather settles in and winter arrives, that means snow for many of our national parks! […]

The U.S. Senate formally declared June 2019 as Great Outdoors Month 2019! June is one of the best months of the year for families. School is out, summer is in, and road-tripping family vacations begin. Great Outdoors Month is a celebration of America’s great outdoors and all the benefits it brings into our lives. It’s […]

The following blog is an excerpt from Up for a Challenge? Make It a Summer to Wonder + Wander by the National Park Foundation. Calling all park lovers – the summer is upon us and it’s the perfect time to explore all that your national parks have to offer! For more than a century, national parks have […]

Tips on how to train for a hike to avoid injury when you live in a city. From our friends at Partselect.com.

You’re not the only one enjoying the garden this summer. Chances are good that aphids, gnats, rabbits, and deer also love your lush annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs. Watching pests destroy your garden is frustrating, not to mention expensive (Americans spent more than $36 billion on their lawns and gardens in 2015, according to the National Gardening Survey, […]

A ramble through the woods, a stroll across a mountain meadow, or a strenuous alpine hike with the reward of a breathtaking vista – it all sounds idyllic until something goes wrong. As a former search and rescue volunteer and EMT, I’ve participated in too many wilderness searches that could have been avoided with a […]

There’s an awful lot going on in climbing. That’s actually one of the sport’s main attractions. No two climbs are ever the same. But with so many variables in what makes a climb how are you supposed to make sense of any of it? Well, there are actually a few different categories we can put aspects of a climb into. […]

No one treats sleeping bags quite as terribly as I do. In my day, I have broken all the rules of proper care techniques, including every single tip listed here. Luckily for you, I spoke to real experts to learn how to extend the lifespan of your sleeping bag — Jeff Blakely from Brooks-Range Mountaineering and Kimberly Cunningham from Warmlite. […]

As spring approaches, gardeners around the world are itching to get out into the soil and start growing again. In their haste, they often forget about one of the most interesting types of plants they can grow: vining plants! Most gardeners have little experience with vining plants, and for good reason: they can be confusing […]

Family camping trips are an excellent way to spend time together in the outdoors and enjoy a vacation on a budget, provided you have some camping tips and hacks up your sleeve. Otherwise, it can take as long to prepare and pack for a camping trip as the trip itself! To ensure that you’re ready […]

If you follow me, you know I run, and that I’m busy with traveling to the competitions my family takes part in. In response to the burgeoning popularity of leggings, aka tights, 5.11 Tactical debuted its Abby tight. Sponsored by 5.11 Tactical Abby Tight details: The length is really nice in the size 8 pair […]

At some point in every gardener’s life, we find ourselves faced with a difficult garden space. It might be a spot that’s shady, hot, soggy, narrow, or sloped. All of these scenarios present a challenge, but it’s precisely these challenging spaces that teach us the most. They are opportunities to broaden our gardening skills, and […]

You may already know that compost is the most valuable addition to any garden. You may also know that compost changes soil structure in the very best ways, converting your average garden soil into one that’s friable and fertile. Finished compost adds nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making soil nutritionally rich. It acts as a pH […]

Tent manufacturers often list multiple weight points to highlight the versatility of their products, especially when the tent is marketed as a lightweight or ultralight tent. Packed weight and trail weight are the most common, though you may come across terms like minimum weight, max weight, fast-pack weight, and flyweight. Unfortunately, there are no industry […]

The following blog is an excerpt from, The Service, Sacrifices, and Bravery of Women in Wartime by the National Park Foundation. National parks preserve military history and our nation’s stories amidst times of war. They’re found in places like Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Oklahoma and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, that stretches from Hawai’i, […]

Do you love the smell of the outdoors? Do you wish you had a way to bring those trail scents home with you? If you’re that person you’ll love this article from Territory Supply that showcases 15 candles inspired by the great outdoors. ~MC Anyone who has taken a walk in the woods can attest […]

Imagine being able to stand in one spot and yet you can witness the year-round migration of elk across the vast Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Now you can do so thanks to a collaborative effort between the National Geographic Society, Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Invisible Boundaries, a highly […]

If you know an adventurous, science-loving teenage Mighty Girl looking for a challenge this year, Inspiring Girls Expeditions is currently accepting applications for their free wilderness expedition science program! This year, the non-profit organization is running seven different expeditions, including ones focused on mountaineering on an Alaskan glacier, rock climbing in the Rocky Mountains, hiking […]

The following blog is an excerpt from 19 Ways to Experience Your Parks in 2019 by the National Park Foundation. National parks are filled with so many opportunities for you to get active, meet new people, learn about different stories, gain new skills, and more. So why not make 2019 the year you prioritize experiencing more of […]

The following blog is an excerpt from Experience the National Parks in all their Winter Glory by the National Park Foundation. Once winter rolls in, most of us slow down, stay in, and wait for the first signs of spring. Resist the temptation of warm blankets and seize the opportunity to experience nature in its most peaceful […]

January 26 – 27, 2019 Survival Weekend for Women They have lots of spots available in all of these great classes but space is limited. Don’t wait too long to sign up! January 26, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM  Survive and Thrive What are the basic needs of a person in a survival situation, and what are […]

The outdoor lifestyle reality series – “Eva Shockey’s Outdoor 101” – is slated to launch on Monday, December 17, 2018 on Facebook Watch at 9 p.m. PT. The six-episode series chronicles the adventures of acclaimed outdoor enthusiast, conservationist and author Eva Shockey and her family as they traverse her adopted home state of North Carolina. […]

Chicks is stoked to kick off 2019 in Ouray, Colorado with our signature women’s ice climbing clinics. Twenty years ago our founder, Kim Reynolds, identified a huge difference in the numbers of women climbers vs men and their roles in climbing.  Particularly in ice climbing, she noted, “ As I watched the sport of climbing grow, I […]

The following blog is an excerpt from Best. Job. Ever. by the National Park Foundation. Our national parks offer powerful place-based learning experiences through programs such as the Youth Conservation Corps which recruits young people for jobs that protect, restore and enhance our parks. Corps members gain valuable skills and work experience while assisting with important conservation […]

The following blog is an excerpt from Something New for 102 by the National Park Foundation. This year, celebrate the National Park Service’s 102nd birthday by seeking a new experience. With over 400 national parks dotting every state and territory, and just as many ways to explore them, there’s always the opportunity to try something new. […]

Business owner, veteran guide, female powerhouse, and so much more have set Angela Hawse up for her new role as President of the Board of Directors of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). The industry’s excitement is evident as the multifaceted Hawse—who has more than 35 years of guiding experience—accepts the appointment.   “Angela is […]

Many people are used to seeing photos of Tisma Juett, manager of Inclusion & Outreach for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in firearms industry publications. Look out, world! This firecracker of a woman recently realized her lifelong dream of owning and riding a motorcycle.   “When I was 18 years old, I signed up for the […]

The following blog is an excerpt from Ensuring the Future of an Old Trail’s History by the National Park Foundation. The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail follows the marching path of allied French and Continental armies from Newport, RI and Newburgh, NY to Yorktown, VA during the Revolutionary War. This trail marks the war’s largest […]

This is the second part of an 8-Week Basic Rock Climbing Training Program from Chicks Climbing and Skiing. ~MC I’ve said before that climbing technique is more important than strength. Still, I encourage you to get stronger. Strength and training brings more than how much a pull-up, or 10 pull-ups for that matter, will help your […]

Birding is a pastime that can be affordable, healthy, and adventurous. Birders get outside in autumn and winter weather, walk or hike to remain active, and discover new natural landscapes while pursuing their passion. Spotting new-to-you bird species is often the icing on the cake. Top regions for birding A birding outing can easily be […]

The following blog is an excerpt from The Vast Possibilities Nature Offers by the National Park Foundation. We recently asked Stewardship Circle member Rob Miller what the national parks mean to him and why he feels so strongly about supporting America’s most treasured places. “Growing up, I was fortunate to have a set of grandparents with a […]