Et cetera : Buy your child/grandchild an EXTREME OUTDOOR experience this holiday season.

We invite you and your family to get off the couch, put away the electronic games and get out and experience these adrenaline filled opportunities to experience the Iowa Outdoors in ways you may not have tried or even known existed as options. There are exciting opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

Extreme Outdoors is a series of adventuresome, fun, challenging, exhilarating and safe outdoor recreational activities sponsored by naturalists with Buchanan, Bremer, Benton, and Chickasaw Counties. Each activity will be led by experienced professionals. Check out the Extreme Outdoors website at http://www.buchanancountyparks.com/extreme.php for additional details and registration information.

Scott Graham, author of Extreme Kids, describes Extreme this way: “It is about excitement, but in a fully safe manner. It is about personal growth through new accomplishments. It is not about defying death. Just the opposite, in fact. Extreme is about reveling in life.”

These activities are geared for participants age 10 – 18 with or without adults. You may participate in one or all events, but registration for each event will be separate and will be limited. Transportation to the adventure locations is generally the responsibility of the participant(s), but may be available from local CCB’s.

Jan 5 – Silo Ice Climbing - Whether you are an experienced ice climber or trying for the first time, you will love the challenge climbing the ice on the silo has to offer. Each winter the silo is iced down when the weather gets below 26 degrees. The experienced staff will assist climbers in fitting all safety gear (provided at location) as well as helping climbers to reach the top. A warming hut is available and we will have snowshoes available for use while waiting for your turn at the ice climbing. Minimum age 10. Registration fee - $40/person

March 30 – Preparing for the Hunt – Participants will learn techniques that can be used for the upcoming turkey season. We will cover hunting strategies, regulations, clothing, calls, blinds, equipment, and game care. Both shotgun and archery will be covered. Minimum age 11, Registration fee $10/person

June 11– Whitewater Kayaking - Come try out Iowa's one and only whitewater kayaking course in Charles City, IA. You will receive instruction from an ACA certified instructor. Bring a sack lunch and water to drink and be prepared to get wet and have a great time! No kayaking experience necessary. $40/ person

August 1 – Zip Line Tour - Wooded hillsides along the Mississippi river are the background for this elevated adventure. You’ll suit up in gear that meets the highest standards of safety while your highly trained and certified guides tell you what to expect and how to safely navigate the course. Then, after a short hike to the first of seven ziplines, you'll clip in and fly away! Minimum age 10; Weight requirements between 70-270 pounds. Registration Fee - $45/person

September 14 – High Trestle Trail Ride

Climb aboard for a fantastic journey on the High Trestle Trail! See the sights of Iowa and the 13 story high, half mile long High Trestle Bridge outside of Madrid, Iowa.

Nov 16 – Pyromaniacs – Would you be able to make a fire without the modern convenience of matches and lighters? Could you make a fire on a wet or windy day? Get to the basics of fire building and discover or hone some new techniques.