Central Indiana Wilderness Club Social Events

We have social or day activities about once a month throughout the year. These are typically some type of outdoor-related activity. This is a great way to meet your fellow group members and friends of the club who are all interested in outdoor adventure.

Calendar of Activities:

Wright Patterson Airforce Base Museum, January 19, 2008
Leader Training and Outdoor Cooking Class, January 26, 2008
Backpacking Class, February 9, 2008
Morel Mushroom Hunt, April 20, 2008
Holliday Park Work Day, April 26, 2008
Bike Ride Around Indy, June 21, 2008
Day Paddle on White River, July 12, 2008
CIWC Annual Picnic, August 24, 2008

January 19, 2008 Wright Patterson Airforce Base Museum

Cost: Estimated $23
Cancellation Date: January 9, 2008
Trip Difficulty: Easy, lots and lots of walking though.
Family Rating: Beginner/ Kids 13 and up with parent or guardian.

Tour one of the finest collections of military aircraft in the world. This includes the retired presidential planes starting from Franklin Roosevelt. This will be a one day trip to Dayton, OH and tour as much of the museums as you want. There are four big hangars plus the Presidential and Experimental Annex. The four hangars are roughly laid out as Early Years and World War I, WW II, Cold War, and Modern Era. There are free scheduled guided tours, or you may just wish to see it at your own pace. We will all meet at the van at a location to be named on the eastside of Indianapolis to be determined at a later date.

January 26, 2008 Trip Leader Training and Outdoor Cooking Class

Cost: $5, Deposit: $5
Location: Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis

Come learn about leading CIWC trips and cooking in the great outdoors! From 9:30 to 11:00a.m., we will cover club trip policies and all aspects of planning, organizing and leading a CIWC trip including cost estimating and managing expenses, available club gear and van logistics, and hosting a successful trip on the road. This will be a great session for those who have never led a trip, as well as for seasoned veterans who want to brush up on the details. Remember, trip leaders go on their trip for FREE!

From 11:15a.m. to 1:30p.m. we will discuss and demonstrate a variety of approaches to outdoor cooking including food dehydrating, water purification techniques, cook stove and fuel options, recipes from common grocery store items, fresh food that can be packed in, prepared backpacking meals, doing dishes in the woods, protecting food from critters, and much more. Everyone will participate in the preparation of several recipes and enjoy a light lunch at the end of the class. You must register in advance for this class by submitting the class fee so that we can plan for lunch and handouts.

Depending on your interests, you may participate in only the Trip Leader portion or only the Outdoor Cooking portion of the class rather than the entire session. If you have any questions, contact Heidi or Bob.

February 9, 2008 Backpacking Seminar

Location: Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis
Time: 9:30am until 12:30p.m.
Cost: FREE

The Central Indiana Wilderness Club will present a FREE backpacking class which is open to the public. Spread the word about this opportunity; print this flyer with all the information about this class.

Topics will include selecting pieces of gear (hiking boots, sleeping bags, tents, packs, clothing and accessories), learning about "minimalist" backpacking, how to "pack" a backpack, trail safety, water treatment, stoves and cooking, first aid, staying comfortable, and backcountry ethics such as "leave no trace."

Ever wanted to try backpacking but didn't know how to get started or where to go? This class is perfect for both novice and experienced backpackers, and a good place for anyone to pick up and share new ideas.

The Central Indiana Wilderness Club has been offering affordable backpacking trips (as well as other adventures) since 1982. For over 20 years the club has presented its annual backpacking class. Come to this class and get on board to take backpacking trips as close as southern Indiana, or as far away as you can imagine. The presenters are seasoned adventurers with experience in places such as the Appalachian Trail, Pikes Peak, the Canadian Wilderness and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring any gear they may already have to be reviewed by our staff of backpackers. Don't miss this FREE class! Contact Bob Hart with questions.

April 20, 2008 Morel Mushroom Hunt

We will meet at 10:00am at the Yellowwood Forest Office at Yellowwood Lake, Brown County to hunt the elusive morel! If weather is not to the morels liking we will do a 5-mile day hike on Scare of Fat trail. Bring water and a snack. Call or e-mail Andy for directions to the Yellowwood Forest Office.

April 26, Holliday Park Work Day

Holliday Park Nature Center
9:00am to Noon

Please come out and help keep Holliday Park beautiful! As a thank-you for use of the facilities, we will be helping the park on their work day. Refreshments will be provided! RSVPs are not required so come at the last minute if you can, even an hour helps! For those interested, we will head to Broad Ripple for lunch when we finish.

June 21, Bike Ride Around-Dine Around Indy!

Join us for a bicycle trek around Indy. We will depart from Broad Ripple at 10:00am and follow the Monon Trail south to the Heritage Trail. Our first stop will be the newly remodeled Central Library. Next we will bike to a downtown restaurant for lunch. We will then bike over to White River State Park and connect with the White River Trail. From that trail we will pick up the Central Canal Towpath, following it north to the last stop, at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. From there we will head on north to the Monon Trail where we started.

This ride is for anyone who wants to leisurely tour the area, and is not intended for those who wish to set speed records. Persons 12 and older are welcome. While the total distance may seem lengthy, our stops and rest breaks will be sufficient to satisfy even the most timid, casual riders.

Requirements include any type of bicycle in good condition and a bike helmet. You will be responsible for your own snacks, water or drinks, and your own lunch at the chosen restaurant. We should finish our trek mid to late afternoon.

Contact the leader to sign up for this outing, or for questions or information. This is a free event for anyone who wants an enjoyable day of bicycling and touring.

July 12, Day Paddle on White River

Cost: Canoe/Kayak rental and shuttle service fees
Cancellation Date: To be decided
Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner/ Kids 13 and up with parent or guardian

Join your CIWC friends for a leisurely and fun day of paddling on White River in Madison County. The trip will be from the small town of Chesterfield to Leesa Bevelhimer's take out on the west side of Anderson. This is a 5 to 6 hour trip of 11 to 12 miles. The float trip will go past several scenic areas including Mounds State Park and four city parks within the Anderson city limits. There will be opportunities for paddlers not owning their own boats to use rentals from Shelton Canoes in Daleville. 2007 prices are $35-40 per 2-person canoe and $20-25 for a kayak. If we rent over five canoes we can get a group discount. If you plan on doing this trip contact Leesa so she can plan for parking, group rental, shuttles and so on. More details with respect to exact meeting time, directions, and safety suggestions will be posted in the May Trail Mix.

August 24, Picnic at Eagle Creek Park

Join your friends at the annual CIWC picnic. Details will be posted as they become available.