PA WILDS OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EXPLORATION SERIES:
OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDUP: ADVANCED BACKPACKING, CLIMBING, AND KAYAKING
Our summer 2025 Outdoor Recreation Roundup Advanced series is geared toward ages 8 - 12 in Warren and McKean counties that have taken our beginner course and would like to continue their outdoor recreation journey. This hands-on course will introduce more technical elements of backpacking, kayaking, and climbing. Students are required to have taken our beginner course.
What is the time commitment for this course?
This series consists of a mixture of classroom and hands-on training sessions that last seven hours each, over two days. Sessions are located between Allegheny Outfitters (AO) Outdoors Store and Goat Fort Climbing (20 Clark Street, Warren). There is one session on the Allegheny River. Day two will take us to the Allegheny National Forest for a more technical, hands-on learning environment. AO will provide all transportation.
What can you expect from our instructors?
This course is open to a maximum of six participants, offering a low instructor/student ratio for a better learning environment. Our instructors have experience in each discipline, and hold relevant certifications. (Wilderness First Aid, American Canoe Association (ACA) Level I and II Kayak Instructor, and Leave No Trace Master Educator.) Our goal is to help nurture a love for the outdoors. Participants can expect a relaxed atmosphere that encourages questions and open conversation.
What topics will be discussed during this course?
We've broken down each of the three disciplines below.
Backpacking
Our backpacking session will be done partially in the classroom, and in the Allegheny National Forest. Topics include how to use maps to plan - identifying shelters, campsites, water sources; and the basics of backpacking: navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid, fire, repair, nutrition, water, and shelter. We’ll cover the seven Leave No Trace principles and how to apply them to the trail.
Climbing
This course will provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the gear and skills necessary to navigate the transition between indoor and outdoor climbing. We will begin with ground school indoors–paying special attention to risk management, and progress outside where we will apply our new skills on actual sandstone boulders.
Kayaking
This course will review safety gear, reading maps to identify hazards, weather safety, monitoring water levels, and applying the seven Leave No Trace principles while on the water.
We'll then head to the river for a hands-on discussion covering how water reacts to river features (downstream and upstream V, eddy, eddy lines, hydraulics, holes, seams and standing waves, etc); and hazards - both natural (sweepers, deadheads, strainers), and man-made (bridges, low-head dams). We'll focus on how these affect the paddling experience and how they change at different water levels. While on the river, we’ll fine tune our strokes, and perform controlled capsize/wet exit, and re-entry.
Do you need to have outdoor experience to sign up?
This course requires that each participant has first taken our beginner Outdoor Recreation Roundup Series course.
What equipment are you responsible for providing?
We provide all equipment needed for the course.
What else should you bring?
Please remember to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Participants should bring snacks and a packed lunch. On-water training day, all participants want to dress to get wet. (Don’t forget a towel and change of clothes for afterward.)
What are the course dates and times?
Course Session #1:
Sunday, June 29th: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Monday, June 30th: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Course Session #2:
Sunday, July 13th: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Monday, July 14th: 9:00am - 4:00pm
What is the cost of this course?
This course is free to all participants. It is funded by generous corporate donations made possible through the Department of Community and Economic Development Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Learn more about the Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center) state-approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) program offerings here.
How do you register for a spot?
We'll have parent/guardian liability waivers that will need signed prior to starting the course, but the bulk of registration (and locking in a spot) can be accomplished online by clicking the button below and filling out the form. Have a question? Please email Piper at piper@alleghenyoutfitters.com.
What is the PA Wilds Outdoor Industry Exploration Series?
The outdoor recreation economy is an $887 billion annual industry in the United States, accounting for more than 7.6 million jobs in fields that include everything from guide and outfitting services to developing and manufacturing outdoor products such as kayaks, backpacks, tents and cook stoves. Public lands are at the heart of the outdoor recreation economy. For the last 15 years, local partners from the public and private sectors have been working to grow this sector of the economy in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The region is uniquely positioned to do this as it is home to more than 2 million acres of public land – more than Yellowstone National Park -- and 16,000 miles of waterways.
Outfitters and guides are a linchpin businesses in this economic development effort. They help visitors safely access and experience the region’s biggest draw -- its public lands and waterways -- often passing their foot traffic to other businesses such as restaurants, lodges and retail stores, which helps these businesses grow and rural communities thrive.
Just as in the other vibrant niche industries, not just anyone can start or buy and operate a successful outfitting business. Not only are these lifestyle businesses they are also highly technical, requiring a deep understanding of the activities and gear at hand, the landscape on which these things are operated and the customer service and risk assessments that go with each.
The PA Wilds Outdoor Industry Exploration Series helps support and grow the outfitter and guide sector in the Pennsylvania Wilds by building awareness for the industry among the next generation, who may want to work at, start or one day purchase and operate such a business. At the very least, students will get a better understanding for the unique role such businesses play in their communities, the importance of safety and preparation on wilderness trips, and stewardship of the natural resources utilized.