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Outdoor Programs
Spring/Summer 2011 Outdoor Programs (pdf)
“Get more folks outdoors.”
The Outdoor Programs supports the District’s mission by helping “Build an active, diverse, and supportive outdoor community”.
We aim to break down the barriers that can inhibit youth and families from participating in outdoor programs while striving to offer affordable, inclusive programming.
We offer a variety of backpacking, biking, day hiking, fly fishing, foraging, kayaking, rowing, sailing, scuba diving, and many more outdoor activities geared towards youth, families, and adults.
Updates
Get the insider scoop on these new unpublished programs!
Protection Island Birding – Join renowned birder & tour guide George Gerdts for an exciting cruise to Protection Island, a 400 acre National Wildlife Refuge at the entrance to Discovery Bay. Over 70% of the marine birds which nest in Puget Sound make Protection Island their breeding ground. Expect to see several thousand nesting pairs of many different species of birds. Meet at Port Townsend Dock at 9:45am. Boat departs at 10:00am. Fri & Sat, August 5 - 6 • 9:45a - 2:00p • $75 *NEW!*
The Hoh Rainforest – The most famous of all Olympic rain forests, the Hoh is a sight to behold. Large, looming, vivid green behemoth trees tower over hikers along the clear flowing Hoh River as we hike to Five Mile Island. This is our easiest overnight backpacking trip. • $89** (one child, age 8-17 FREE per paying adult. Adult must attend on trip)
Tues & Wed, June 28 - 29 • 7:00a - 7:00p Full
Mon & Tues, July 25 - 26 • 7:00a - 7:00p * NEW dates added *
The Ozette Triangle – Rated one of the finest hikes on the Olympic Coast, this overnight trip contains beach bonfires, scenic coastal walks, exposed sea stacks, abundant tide pools, petroglyphs, and plenty of shoreline hiking. With only 300’ elevation change, this trip is great for all abilities. • $89** (one child, age 8-17 FREE per paying adult. Adult must attend on trip)
Sat & Sun, July 16 - 17 • 7:00a - 7:00p Full
Fri & Sat, August 5 - 6 • 7:00a - 7:00p * NEW dates added *
Resources
Check back - resources will be added soon!
Staff
Meet our Outdoor Programs staff
Jeff Ozimek – Outdoor Programs Coordinator
Bio: A firm believer in getting more folks active outdoors and highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship, Jeff has spent the last eight years teaching experiential education, leading month long expeditionary trips, and programming outdoor recreation classes. He has worn many hats, serving as the Director of Education for the Tallship HMS Bounty Organization, Captain for Outward Bound’s youth expeditionary sailing program in Boston, Captain & Fleet Medic for Sail Caribbean’s youth expeditionary sailing programs in the British Virgin Islands, and Education Coordinator teaching inner city Los Angeles at-risk-youth in the Channel Islands National Park.
Off the ocean, he significantly expanded community programs for Wisconsin’s Delavan Parks & Recreation, oversaw community events for Montana’s Missoula Parks & Recreation, taught leadership, teambuilding, and natural science in the mountains of Southern California, and a led USFS backcountry trail maintenance and wildland firefighting crew in Bryce Canyon, Utah. Jeff coordinates all the backpacking, biking, day hiking, fly fishing, foraging, kayaking, natural science, rowing, sailing, scuba, snow sports, and wilderness related programs.
Schooling / degrees attained: M.S. Recreation Administration, Aurora University, Illinois; B.S. Recreation Resource Management, University of Montana, Missoula.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Basic Life Support, CPR/First Aid, USCG 100 Ton Inland Mate’s License w/ Sail & Tow Auxiliary, High Ropes Challenge Course Management & Emergency Rescue, PADI Open Water SCUBA.
Ranger Sciacca – Outdoor Programs Leader (Day Hiking, Backpacking, Kayaking)
Bio: Ranger Sciacca grew up on Bainbridge Island, and has been exploring the Olympics and Cascades for almost all of his life. When in kindergarten, he became an honorary Junior Ranger by identifying some trees, picking up trash, and so forth, and he liked it so much that he changed his name to Ranger. He is now 24, having graduated from BHS/EHHS in 2005 and from Whitman College in 2009. At Whitman, he led hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and sea kayaking trips, and also became an enthusiastic rock climber and mountaineer. He also has a passion for our native trees, especially those of record size, and frequently pages through his favorite book “Champion Trees of Washington State”. Over the past few years, he is thrilled to have been able to go hiking, climbing or kayaking several times a week, and would love to do so with you in 2011! When not in the outdoors, he can often be seen performing with his Gypsy Jazz band: "Ranger and the Re-Arrangers”.
Schooling / degrees attained: BA Economics, Whitman College 2009
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Adult & Child CPR and Airway Management.
George Gerdts – Outdoor Program Specialist (Birding, Wildflowers, Natural History)
Bio: George taught middle school science for 40 years before retiring in June of 2009. He is an avid birder and tour leader, leading trips for Seattle Audubon, Kitsap Audubon, and for his own company Pandion Nature Tours. He wholeheartedly believes that by showing and having people experience first-hand the birds, plants, and other creatures that inhabit the myriad habitats of the Pacific Northwest and beyond that that will inspire them to protect and preserve this legacy for future generations. George is knowledgeable about the birds, plants, and animals of Washington and their respective natural histories. He enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking and is always ready for a new adventure."We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." Attributed to the Hopi
Schooling / degrees attained: BA Brown University, 1969
Certifications: NOLS Instructor 1970, EMT certification 1993, CPR & First Aid
Opportunities
Job Opportunities
Please check back periodically for more information or call Jeff at (206) 842-2306 x115.
Volunteer Opportunities
Outdoor Partners
Help “Get more folks outdoors!” If you know of an individual, company, or non-profit organization who would like to help get more youth and families active outdoors, we would love to speak with them! Often times, our mission to “Build an active, diverse, and supportive outdoor community” aligns quite closely with other outdoor organizations. Please contact Jeff Ozimek for more information.
The Outdoor Programs is proud to partner with a variety of outdoor organizations such as: REI, GSI Outdoors, Nutcase Helmets, Taylor Shellfish Farms, Extrasport, Washington Trails Association, The Mount Tahoma Trails Association, Battle Point Astronomical Association, Bainbridge Island Rowing, and The Weed Warriors.
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous donations! Through their efforts they have greatly helped break down the barriers that can inhibit participation in outdoor activities. With their support we will be able to get more youth and families outdoors and help foster a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards.
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Media
Spring/Summer 2011 Outdoor Programs
Bounty of the Land
Stinging Nettle Pesto
Fresh Picked Seattle article on our Stinging Nettles Class.
Kitsap Sun article on our Stinging Nettles Class
Food life article on our Stinging Nettles Class
Contact Information
We love to hear from you! If you have questions regarding a program, an idea for a new program, or would like to help “Get more folks outdoors”, we would love to speak with you!
Jeff Ozimek, Outdoor Programs Coordinator
Office: (206) 842-2306 x115
Cell: (206) 883-5768
jeff@biparks.org
E-Updates
Would you like to receive updates about upcoming classes and trips hosted by the Outdoor Programs? Send an email to jeff@biparks.org to be added to the list. Email updates are sent out approximately once a month.