College of the Siskiyous

There is still time to enroll in fall courses for Resource Technology and Sustainable Communities Programs:

Forest Ecology ERRT 11 – 3 units

Study of abiotic and biotic variables in forest ecosystems.
Wednesdays 9 – 9:50 and Fridays 9 – 12:50. Started Aug 18th

Introduction to Surveying ERRT 22 – 3 units

Covers the use and applications of basic engineering equipment.
Mondays and Wednesdays 11 – 1:30. Started Aug 16th

Silviculture ERRT 30 – 3 units

Covers concepts of managing forests for establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests on a sustained yield basis, using varying techniques.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 – 11:15.  Started Aug 17th.

Introduction to Sustainable Communities ERSC 1 – 3 units

Examines the interactions between humans and global ecosystems.
Mondays 5:30 – 8:30.  Started Aug 16th.

Sustainable Communities Skills Lab ERSC 50 - 2 units

Emphasizes applied sustainability principles through integrated hands-on lab activities and field trips in various areas of Sustainable Communities.
Tuesdays 11 – 2:50.  Started Aug 17th.

Outdoor Adventure Leadership Skills ERSC 3 – 3 units

Introduction to the history and philosophy of Outdoor Adventure Education with applications to current trends and opportunities for the future.
Fridays 10 – 1.  Starts Aug 27th.

Greening Your World ERSC 51 – 3 units

Students will research and implement strategies to incorporate lower impact practices at home, at work, on campus, and in their communities.
Mondays 2 – 4, Wednesdays 2 – 5.  Starts Sept 8th.

Renewable Energy ERSC 53 -1 unit

Offers participants an overview of efficiency and renewable living options for Siskiyou County, highlighting on solar power.
Four Wednesdays 6 – 9 and Saturday Oct 23rd 9-4.  Starts Oct 6th.

Exploring Business Opportunities BA 60 – 2 units

Explores the emerging opportunities within the business, nonprofit and government sectors for green jobs and entrepreneurship.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 – 10:50.  Starts Sept 21st.

It’s Your Business BA 86 – 2 units

Participants will be given all the tools and concepts necessary to complete a creative business plan for small business success.  Yreka Campus with distance learning to Butte Valley.
Tuesdays 5:30 – 8:30.  Starts Sept. 21st.

Please Call to Register 938-5555 or go to www.siskiyous.edu Late Registration Welcome.

Check out the website: www.siskiyous.edu/cte/er

Do you have program questions? Please contact Joy von S at vonskepsgardh@siskiyous.edu

Regular exercise, often done outdoors, is just as important during the hot months of summer as it is during the cooler seasons. Unfortunately outdoor activities often place people at serious risk of dehydration which can lead to other heat-related illnesses including — heat exhaustion — heat stroke — and in severe cases, death. Millions of Americans are at risk for heat-related illnesses; however, the risk is significantly increased for 4 groups of our population. Those most at risk include:

1. Children: When summer vacation from school arrives, most children spend a great deal of time outdoors being active. Because children have a larger surface area in relation to body mass, they often gain heat faster than adults when the outside air temperature is higher than body temperature.
2. Athletes and exercisers: People who spend hours training and competing in the hot summer sun often do not have an adequate intake of fluids to make up for the loss of fluids caused by their activities.
3. Outdoor workers: Workers such as landscapers, construction crews, police officers, postal employees, and others who spend most of their days in the heat often have little time for bathroom breaks or for drinking fluids, as a result these workers may not consume enough fluids during their workdays.
4. Elderly people: There is a fine line between how heat affects most adults and how is can affect the elderly in a more profound way. It’s is extremely important for senior citizens to practice a gradual acclimatization to heat that puts emphasis on hydration.

Is Your Body Acclimatized to Heat?

How does one acclimatize their body to heat? It takes about 10 to 14 days of working or exercising in the heat for your body to adjust or become acclimatized. You should cut down on the intensity of your exercise or activity during these first days. Once your body is heat acclimatized, the amount of sweat you produce, and other total body fluid losses, increases because you sweat sooner and more than before you became acclimatized.

The good news about summer heat is that staying healthy is as easy as becoming educated about your body’s need for fluids, and the signs and symptoms of dehydration which can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Drinking for Hydration

The best time to consume fluids is before you are thirsty — by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. It’s best to drink on a schedule when it is hot outside. Avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol while in the sun or heat. These types of drinks stimulate the production of urine thereby promoting dehydration. The best drinks are water, or one of the many flavored sports drinks that are on the market.  Adults need 17 to 20 ounces of fluid before beginning activity, as well as an additional 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during activity. Your fluid needs don’t stop when your activity is over — you should consume 24 ounces of fluid within the first two hours after outdoor activity.

Children need 4 to 8 ounces of fluid before beginning outdoor activities and 5 to 9 ounces every 20 minutes while they are outside. Once kids return from outside play or activity, they also need to consume 24 ounces of fluids within the first two hours after they stopped their activities.

Did you know? One adult-size gulp of fluid equals one ounce of fluid, and one child-size gulp of fluid equals one-half ounce of fluid.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

• Dry lips and tongue.
• Headache.
• Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
• Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
• Nausea.
• Muscle cramps.

More Hot Weather Tips

While pouring water over your head might feel good; it does not have any affect on your core body temperature — make sure you put plenty of water and other fluids into your body.

Always wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Whenever you get a chance, take a break in the shade. It’s important to remember that anytime a person who has been exposed to heat becomes disoriented or unconscious, immediate medical attention for that person must be sought.

Source: The American Medical Athletic Association By Tracee Cornforth, about.com

Hiking, Backpacking & Trekking require cardiovascular endurance, strength endurance, and hiking-specific training. Being in strong physical shape is one of the most important prerequisites for success on a trip.  Your general training should focus on these five major fitness qualities:

• Aerobic Endurance
• Anaerobic Endurance
• Upper Body Strength
• Lower Body Strength
• Flexibility

Traveling in the wilderness requires good cardiovascular endurance, whether you intend to do short day hikes or multi-day high-altitude trekking, scrambling, climbing, or overnight backpacking trips. Walking over varied terrain while carrying a pack is an efficient and effective way to train for such adventures. If you do not have access to hills or mountains, use whatever varied terrain is available to you, such as stairs, short hills, stadium steps, deserted parking ramps, and sandy dunes. Use of machines such as inclined treadmills, stair climbers, or elliptical cross trainers can also be beneficial.

Train the quadriceps for descents; the hips for supporting pack weight over variable terrain; the shoulders, upper back, and trapezius for pack carrying, gear hoisting, and using trekking poles; and the lower back, obliques, and abdominals for transferring power from the legs into forward propulsion. While hikers, trekkers, and backpackers encounter less extreme terrain than scramblers, mountaineers, or climbers do, you will still need to be able to navigate short stretches across boulder, talus, or scree fields, cross streams, traverse heather slopes, or negotiate around tree roots, all of which challenge footing and balance and may require awkward or high steps.

The exercises suggested below point you in the proper direction for sport-specific training for pack-loaded travel. Unilateral (single-limb) lower body exercises such as those listed below are ideal for early season training in order to increase balance and joint integrity throughout the lower body musculature. Bilateral multi-joint core exercises are ideal for middle months where your focus is on building as much strength as possible.

Unilateral Lower Body Exercises: Hip hikes for the Gluteus Medius;   1-leg Hover Step Ups for quadriceps;  Step Downs for Quadriceps;   1-leg Calf Raise for Gastrocnemius;   Forward Straight Leg Raise for Gluteus Medius;  1-Leg Squat for Balance, Gluteus Maximus and Quadriceps;  Lunge Variations for advanced exercises to challenge Balance, Gluteus Maximus and Quadriceps

Bilateral Lower Body & Core Exercises:  Stiff-Leg Deadlifts for Hamstrings;   Snow Shoveler for Rotational Movements;  Plank Variations and Oblique Twists for Rotational Movements;  Reverse Corner Pushouts for Rhomboids;  Back Extensions for Core Development to Help Support a Pack;  Seated Cable Rows to Face for Upper Back Strength Endurance;  Backwards Walking:   Rehabilitation for the Quadriceps;  Outside Fitness Pack Routine includes a number of strength exercises you can do with a weighted pack, no gym required.

Check on the web at www.bodyresults.com for instructions regarding these exercises, additional flexibility training suggestions, and more.

Our 135 mile Super Century features 16,500′ of climbing. It’s tougher than the Death Ride – but a lot prettier, and a better first ride for those who are new to hilly, mega-century rides.

Our Summit Century offers 10,500′ of climbing. It’s the perfect hilly century for those ready to move beyond standard centuries.

Our Metric Century is moderately hilly – only 4,200′ of climbing in 58 miles. All the views at less than half the suffering!

Our Half Metric is for novices; 30 miles and 2100′ of climbing. Pretty and easy.

To get information about the ride, visit shastasummitcentury.com

Because our 2009 Shasta Summit Century ride jerseys sold out in the first 2.5 hours of the ride, we’re going to offer a short advanced order period this year (we will still offer jerseys at the ride).

The 2010 jersey is similar to last year’s much-loved design – only in a bright, attention-getting red (visible to your envious friends and motorists).

These gorgeous short-sleeve jerseys feature a 3/4 length zip, and will not fade with normal washing. Questions? Contact the ride director at director@shastasummitcentury.com.

Purchase now!

What: A one week summer camp to connect with the outdoors, learn and practice personal and community leadership, and prepare you to take on the challenge of high school with passion, confidence, and excitement. More information www.tfff.org/campford

When: July 25-August 1, 2010

Where: Paradise Point, California (18 miles SE of Happy Camp)

Who: Youth entering the 9th grade from Dunsmuir, Etna, Happy Camp, McCloud, Mt. Shasta, Orleans, Seiad Valley, Somes Bar, Weed, Yreka looking for a fun, challenging summer outdoors experience.

Cost: $15 includes food, rafting, lodging, transportation, and a Columbia Sportswear backpack and water bottle.

How to Apply (Campers):
Complete an online application or download a printable PDF here and mail or fax to The Ford Family Foundation, 1600 Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Fax 541-957-5720.  Please also submit two reference forms.  One must be from a teacher/principal and the other can be from any adult, not related to you, and has known you for at least a year.  Download a printable reference form.
Camper Application and Reference Forms Deadline: May 17, 2010

Counselor/Mentors are: High school juniors and older who are connected to their community and wish to support rising ninth graders, to better prepare them for their transition to high school, connect with the outdoors and learn and practice community and personal leadership skills. We are looking for two individuals each from the Happy Camp area (including Orleans, Seiad Valley, Somes Bar, Etna), Yreka area and Mt. Shasta Area (including Dunsmuir, McCloud and Weed). Ideally they will be graduates of The Ford Institute Leadership Program. More information www.tfff.org/campford

How to Apply: (Counselor/Mentor):

Download a printable PDF application and mail or fax to The Ford Family Foundation, 1600 Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Fax 541-957-5720.  Please also submit two reference forms.  One must be from a teacher/principal and the other can be from any adult, not related to you, and has known you for at least a year.  Download a printable reference form.
Counselor/Mentor Application and Reference Forms Deadline: May 17, 2010

For more information: Contact RDI Youth Program Manager, Max Gimbel (mgimbel@rdiinc.org – 541.359.5284) or www.tfff.org/campford
You are also cordially invited to an informational session for potential campers, counselors and interested community members on Saturday, May 1st at The Mount Shasta City Park, Lower Lodge from 1:45-2:30.   Refreshments will be served.

Prizes will be awarded for best costume, ultimate crowd splash, best trick and gnarliest wipe-out. Live music by the Billy’s from noon to 4pm.

To get your adult weekend lift ticket for just $29 bring 2 non-perishable shelf stable food items to be donated to the South Siskiyou Food Bank.

For more information visit skipark.com or call 530-926-8600

For full event itinerary call the Mt. Shasta Ski Park at 530-926-8600

If you like to shred the mountain and rip the rails come join us for the first annual Round Table Pizza Rail Jam at the Mt Shasta shopping center. The Mt Shasta shopping center parking lot will be transformed into a winter sports fanatics dream. Snowboarders and skiers will rock the rails as the Shopping Center builds a huge drop in to several special rails designed by the Mt Shasta Ski Park just for this family friendly competition to be held Tuesday March 9th from 3:30 until 7pm.

The rail jam is slated to begin with registration on the 9th of March at noon at Round Table Pizza, the Rail Jam headquarters, and will continue until 3:30pm, the competition will start at 4pm with prizes being awarded in many different categories , age groups and riders of all skill levels.

Sponsors will provide lots of swag and free giveaways and the music will be crankin’.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

We invite you to add your observations to this ever-growing database of observations via the GBBC website.  Explore reports coming in from across the continent, upload images for the photo contest, and tweet about the birds you see, adding the gbbc tag to have your comments appear in the Twitter widget on the GBBC home page. Just by participating in the GBBC you’ll be entered into a drawing for great prizes. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with new Canadian partner, Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Jan. 22-24th, 2010

The Siskiyou Sled Dog pre-race activities begin Friday, January 22 with the veterinarian check of all the distance racing dogs. Races will be held on Saturday, 23rd and Sunday 24th at the Deer Mountain / Chuck Best Memorial Snowmobile Park located 16.8 miles out Highway 97 from Weed, CA.

NOTE: The 220 mile Iditarod qualifier has been canceled due to lack of entrants. All other races are all still on.

FRIDAY JANUARY 22
12:00 to 3:00 Mandatory Veterinarian Check of 50 mile racing dogs
(Weed Merchantile, north-east end of Main Street Weed, CA past the Post Office)

SATURDAY JANUARY 23 (DAY 1 FIRST HEAT)
8 AM Mushers Meeting (mandatory for all mushers – start times may be adjusted)
9AM Start 50 mile – 8-16 dog
10AM Start 18 mile – 6 dog
11AM Start 8 mile – 8 dog
12:30PM Start 5 mile – 4 dog
2PM Start 5 mile -6 dog
2:30PM Start 5mile -1 or 2 dog – Skijor

SNOWBALL  - Mushers Welcome - 6 PM – Sons of Italy Hall
The SNOWBALL is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center and the Mount Shasta Nordic Center.  The mushers welcome will be incorporated into the SNOWBALL at Sons of Italy Hall, Clay Street, Weed, California 96094.

SUNDAY JANUARY 24 (DAY 2 – SECOND HEAT)
8AM Mushers Meeting (Mandatory for all mushers – Start times may be adjusted)
9AM Start 50 mile – 8-16 dog
10AM Start 18 mile – 6 dog
11AM Start 8 mile – 8 dog
12:30PM Start 5 mile – 4 dog
2PM Start 5 mile -6 dog
2:30PM Start 5mile -1 or 2 dog – Skijor

5PM Awards Banquet at the Weed Mercantile-590 Main Street, Weed, CA 96094
Banquet style dinner. More information soon. Open to the public.  $10 per person