IGO Classes 2010

Have you always wanted to learn about canoeing, but didn't know where to begin? Does a weekend backpacking trip sound like fun, but you don't know how to get started? Have you watched someone cross-country ski, navigate with a compass or fish with a fly rod, and wished you knew how?

Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors (IGO) is the focal point of adult outdoor recreation activities in Cleveland Metroparks.   Through the Institute, you can take part in activities that help you develop outdoor skills.   And learning a skill is only one of IGO's features.   While you are having fun canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, or fishing, you will also learn about the environment and the need to be responsible stewards of the great outdoors.

The IGO Mission:

To provide a wide range of enjoyable outdoor experiences which enable participants of all abilities to develop or enhance outdoor skills, knowledge and environmental ethics.

Our goals:

  • To provide learning opportunities which promote personal growth, ethical relationships with nature, and low-impact outdoor experiences.
  • To offer skill-building and skill-enhancement programs which enable participants to build competency and enjoy safe outdoor experiences.
  • To present programs in locations outside of Cleveland Metroparks lands which further participants' understanding of the ecology of North America, environmental problems and potential solutions.

Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

All IGO programs have been evaluated regarding accessibility and activity level. With our professionally trained staff and ability to make equipment adaptations, most programs are accessible to anyone who would like to participate. For further information regarding program accessibility, or to schedule an accessible custom program, please contact the IGO office at 216-341-1704.
 

ESCAPES TO NATURE

Southeastern Arizona - The Hummingbird Tour
Come with us in July to one of the top birding destinations in the United States. Southeastern Arizona is legendary among birders as the place to see hummingbirds. Visit five renowned feeding stations looking for up to 15 species, many found noshwere else in the United States. This trip for adults takes place July 22 - 27, 2010. Call IGO for a full itinerary and fees.

Cape May Hawk Watch
Join Outdoor Education Chief Bob Hinkle and Naturalist Sharon Hosko October 3 - 7, 2010 for the annual fall spectacle of hawk migrations in Cape May, New Jersey. Travel by motor coach and then participate in the hawk watch mornings and evenings, join programs led by the Cape May Bird Observatory staff and stroll the Jersey shore looking for seabirds and migrating warblers. Fee is $495 for this adult trip and includes transportation to and from New Jersey, shuttle service, lodging and breakfast. Call IGO for a full itinerary.

GENERAL RECREATION & SKILLS CLASSES

Snowshoe at South Chagrin
Learn to snowshoe with IGO this winter at the South Chagrin sledding hill. On the dates listed below, IGO staff will be giving hourly snowshoe lessons as long as there is four inches of snow or more on the ground. Snowshoes are provided, but please dress properly for the weather. Registration is required but drop-ins are welcome.
Ages: 8 years & up (with participating adult)
Dates/Time: Saturdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30
Sundays, February 7 & 14
Hourly from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (last lesson 2 p.m.)
Location: South Chagrin Sledding Hill
Fee: $5

Family Snowshoe Class
Take a more in-depth look at snowshoeing with this three-hour class. We provide the snowshoes and will teach you the history of snowshoeing and how to snowshoe. Enjoy games that will test your new skills and explore the trails around Look About Lodge.  Snowshoes, basic instruction and hot cocoa provided. Dress for the weather. No special boots are required, but waterproof footwear is suggested. Note: class will only be held if there is 4 inches of snow or more.
Ages: 8 years & up (with participating adult)
Dates/Times: January 3 • 1- 4 p.m.
Look About Lodge
Fee: $10

Stove Building
Have you been looking for ways to lighten your backpacking load? Want to bulk up your emergency kit? Alcohol stoves are great for both. Weighing in at just a few ounces, they are easy to carry and can boil water in a matter of minutes. Join us for an orientation to building your own ultra-light alcohol stove. Learn the basics of multiple stove designs, and what is best for your needs. The course will cover stove building, pot stand building, wind protection, and cooking methods.
Ages: 16 years & up (with participating adult)
Dates/Times: January 10 • 1- 4 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center OR
January 21 • 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. 
Garfield Park Nature Center
Fee: $15

Drawing in Nature
Do you feel artistically inspired by nature? Stefanie Verish will teach you how to express the majestic winter scenery on paper in this class. Enjoy the warmth of two of Cleveland Metroparks nature centers using their floor to ceiling viewing windows while learning the basics of pencil drawing using nature as your subject and inspiration.
Ages: adults
Dates/Times: January 16 • 9 a.m. - noon
North Chagrin Nature Center
or February 20 • 9 a.m. - noon
Rocky River Nature Center
Fee: $20 (includes sketchbook and drawing supplies)

Cold Weather Survival
Come embrace the elements with IGO this winter. Learn winter layering basics for extreme cold temperatures and how to survive in the elements if the unexpected happens. We will focus on staying warm using the bare necessities and work on basics of how to build an emergency winter shelter.
Activity Level: moderate
Ages: adults
Dates/Times: January 23 • noon - 3 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
Fee: $15

Snowshoe, Map & Compass
It is easy to know where you have been in the winter, but with a blanket of snow on the ground do you know where you are going? Join us indoors for basic map and compass instruction, then head outside to learn basic snowshoe techniques. Use your newly learned map, compass and snowshoes skills to explore the area and search for a hidden surprise. Dress for the weather. Class will be held with or without snow - hiking will be substituted for snowshoeing if needed.
Activity Level: easy to moderate (expect 1 mile hike on uneven terrain, hills or steep stairs)
Ages: 16 years & up (with participating adult)
Dates/Times: January 30 • 4 - 8 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
or February 28 • 4 - 8 p.m • Look About Lodge
Fee: $15

CPR/AED - Adult/Child/Infant
Learn critical skills towards saving someone’s life in this American Red Cross certification course. This class will empower you with the skills to help an infant, child or adult showing signs of life threatening respiratory or cardiac arrest symptoms. 
Activity Level: easy (must meet ARC requirements)
Ages: 16 years & up (with participating adult)
February 3 & 4 • 6 - 10 p.m.
Garfield Park Nature Center
Fee: $55 (includes materials and American Red Cross certification  and skills cards)

Camp Cooking
Tired of sitting home watching Emeril or Paula Dean turn everyday food into something fantastic? Try your hand at making your own fantastic dish, but with a twist. Our cooking class will show you how to make delicious recipes with a cook stove you would use while camping. Learn about different types of stoves, how they work, meal preparation and more. Each person will get the use of a stove and will try a recipe of their own during the second session.
Ages: 16 years & up
Dates/Times: February 9 & 17 • 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
Fee: $25

American Red Cross First Aid Class
This class will teach you skills to become better equipped to respond to first aid emergencies. Lessons include: proper wound care, splinting broken bones, treating someone for shock and more. All first aid supplies will be provided. Upon completion of this course participants will be qualified to receive an American Red Cross First Aid certification good for three years.
Activity Level: easy (must meet ARC requirements)
Ages: 16 years & up (with participating adult)
Dates/Times: February 20 • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
North Chagrin Nature Center
Fee: $35 (includes certification card and workbook)

How to Survive Just About Anything
With proper planning and the right kit, you stand a greater chance of surviving snowstorms, tornadoes, floods and other disasters. Get the resources to begin making your own disaster kits for home and on the road and have fun practicing fire starting techniques (without matches). We’ll even throw in tips for pet disaster kits! Each participant will receive an IGO survival tool perfect for your kit.
Ages: adults
Dates/Location: February 20 • 1 - 4 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
Fee: $15

Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation Training
New curriculum for 2010! Those interested n learning what it takes to become a “home-based” category 1 wildlife rehabilitator will benefit from this class. Ohio-permitted rehabilitators Dr. Susan Shibley and Nonda Surratt take a practical approach to teaching state regulations, proper care and feeding of orphaned mammals, answering wildlife calls, animal release and more. The class meets the requirements for those apply for a category 1 permit through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Dividion of wildlife (Category 1 permit holders may care for orphaned squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and groundhogs only.)
Ages: adults
Dates/Times: March 13 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. AND March 14 • 1 - 4 p.m. • Garfield Park Nature Center
Fee: $65 (includes training manual and Saturday lunch)

Wilderness First Aid
Designed specifically for groups and their leaders, the workshop stresses preparedness and prevention and includes wilderness evacuation techniques and long term patient care in prolonged transport situations. Classroom lectures and discussions will be combined with hands-on experiences in the field. Scout leaders are encouraged to attend as this course meets the Boy Scouts of America requirements for backcountry training.
Activity Level: moderate
Ages: adults
Date/Time: May 22 - 23 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Look About Lodge
Fee: $195 (includes lunch, text and first aid supplies)

CANOEING AND KAYAKING

American Canoe Association Canoe & Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop
This workshop follows standards established by the American Canoe Association and is designed for individuals and programmers interested in offering certified canoe and kayak instruction to all ages. The first day will be spent on the water practicing paddling strokes. On day two, participants will start off in the classroom learning topics to teach as instructors and will then split into groups to spend the afternoon outside. On day three, experienced trainers will evaluate each candidate’s paddling skills, knowledge and teaching abilities. Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants can receive instructor certification through the American Canoe Association. 
Pre-requisites: previous paddling experience is required. Completion of ACA Intro to Canoe/Kayak course preferred. All participants must be members of the ACA & SEIC prior to the program. To become a member, visit www.americancanoe.org.
Activity Level: moderate
Ages: adults
June 11 - 13 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Hinckley Reservation
Fee: $225 per person / specify either the canoe or kayak instructor workshop when registering. (includes instructor manual, text, materials and all necessary paddling equipment).  

 

IGO Gift Certificates

Looking for a gift for the outdoors person who has it all? Why not send them on a trip. Cleveland Metroparks offers gift certificates of any denomination that can be used for Institute of the Great Outdoors programs. To order, call EarthWords ar 216-206-1003         

How to Register

By Mail/Fax: Register immediately for all programs. Complete the registration form including your credit card number or check payable to Cleveland Metroparks.

By Phone: Call 216-341-1704 weekdays between 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with your Visa or MasterCard (some courses may already be filled).

In-Person: Stop by Garfield Park Nature Center in Garfield Heights weekdays between 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(some courses may already be filled).

 IGO Registration form

Registration Information

  • For programs with more than one session, note your choice when registering.
  • A course reminder and map will be mailed prior to the first class.
  • By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the refund policy. Participants must complete and sign a liability waiver and medical emergency form prior to participation in any program. Forms are available for review by calling 216-341-1704.

 

Registration Policy

  • Some courses require a certain level of proficiency and knowledge.
  • Prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions. If you have not completed the prerequisite, call 216-341-1704 to discuss skills.
  • Plan to attend all classes.

 

Fees

  • Fees must be paid upon registration.
  • A 50% deposit may be accepted for some programs (see program descriptions).
  • Registration will not be confirmed without fee payment.
  • Program fees recover the direct program costs.

 

Refund Policy

Program fees are not refundable unless Cleveland Metroparks cancels a program. Then a full refund of program fees will be processed.

 

General Information

IGO programs are listed in the January, March, May, July, September and November Emerald Necklace. For more information, call 216-341-1704.

 

For more information and to register for any IGO program, call 216-341-1704.