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TopClicks
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Sports & Outdoor Fun
Appalachian Trail - The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine--a distance of 2,160 miles. If you walked it straight through, it would take you between four and six months before you emerged at the other end. At this outstanding site, you will see a map of the trail and read hikers' journals about their travels. Don't miss the story about Bill Irwin, a blind man who completed the trail accompanied by his trusty guide dog, Orient. There are also links to Web sites about national scenic trail systems, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the Natchez Trace, and several others.
Camping Source, The - Welcome to The Camping Source! Listing over 14,000 Campgrounds in their Campground Directory. Looking for great camping equipment? A campground or RV dealer in your area? Then The Camping Source is "The" place on the internet to find anything that has to do with camping. Visit the Campers Etiquette Page, or shop the store for Great camping Gear!
Coaching Youth Sports - You ask your mother to coach your basketball team this year. She says, "Yes." As the season gets closer, she starts wondering about what she should do. How can you help? Check out this site, which offers some basic tips about coaching kids in sports.
Eldrbarry's Active Games Guide - From get acquainted games to tag, from line and circle games to indoor play, you're sure to find something fun to do with just a few friends or a whole family reunion. Here's a description of "This Is a ___! A What?," one of the silliest games we know: "Equipment is an assortment of different objects. Seat everyone in a circle. Leader takes an object and passes it to his right saying: `This is a banana.' The receiver says `A what?' and the giver repeats. Then it is passed on to the third in the same way. When asked `A What?' each person inquires of the one who gave it to him `A What?' before passing it on to the next. This pattern keeps on. After this has proceeded a ways the leader starts something else, `This is a alligator,' etc. After three are in motion then objects may be started right or left. Object: to remember what each item is."
ESPN.com - Hey, sports fans! If you're really into sports, then you probably already know about ESPN, the all-sports cable TV network. They do the same great job on their home page as they do on their network. This site offers up-to-the-minute sports news, scores, and game summaries. Let's say your favorite team is in Seattle and you live all the way across the country on the other coast. Chances are, it's a pain in the neck to get the latest news, stats, and player profiles on your favorite team. Hey, relax. Tune in and get it all right here: college, amateur, pro. They cover it all, and they let you talk back. After all, you have to make your opinion known, right?
Footbag WorldWide Information Service - Some call it a footbag, while others know it by the trademark Hacky Sack. The object of the game is to keep the footbag in the air--with your foot--as you "hack" the "sack" around in the circle with others. Check out this site for the full story. Patterns are here, too, so you can make your own footbag.
Fun Fish and Fishing Facts - Hey! You caught a fish! NOW what? Is it big enough to keep? Will it be used as food? If not, this site shows you how to gently release it so you can catch it again when it's bigger. There's also a tackle box checklist and information on lots of fishy facts.
In-FisherKids - Freshwater fishing information just for kids. Features fish identification, fishing tips for beginners, fish trivia, fish jokes, word search, games and more.
Jump into Snowboarding - Just when you think they've done just about everything crazy on snow, up comes a new sport. This one is called snowboarding, and we thought we'd slide on over to this ThinkQuest Junior site (built by kids) and see what it's all about. The sport began in the early 1960s when an eighth grader in shop class decided to try a new way of heading down a snowy hill. The first snowboard was made of plywood; now they're fiberglass. This site tells you all about the special language used by snowboarders--try an "Indy Grab on a Halfpipe, Dude"--as well as the six snowboarding events in the 1998 Olympic competition.
L. L. Bean - L. L. Bean has been in the outdoor recreation outfitting business for many years, and they have quite a wealth of knowledge on such things as fly-fishing, camping, cycling, winter camping, backpacking, and cross-country skiing. Also, don't forget snowshoeing, which is a really cool (no pun intended) activity! It's a bit easier for most people than cross-country skiing, and it allows you to do a little more exploring. This page is where you can find out what you need and how to get started. After reading the helpful hints, maybe you still have a few more questions. Chances are the answers are only a mouse click away. For example, did you know you can make an emergency snowshoe repair with duct tape? (Is there anything you can't fix with duct tape?)
Let's Go Surfing! - No one knows who first thought of surfing, but at this site you can learn quite a bit about its early history and lore. In the early days of Hawaiian surfing, boards for royalty were different from those for commoners. And specific beaches were reserved for the royal family's sole use. Aren't you glad it's not like that today? At this site you can learn about different types of surfboards and how they are made, as well as learn a little about wave mechanics. This site was created by students for the ThinkQuest Junior competition.
MyTeam.com - This is the one you want! Not only are there great features (extreme sports, b-ball tournament news, fitness, coaching, and more), but the games at this site are AWESOME. Son of Net-mom told us to say that.
National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America - You can't just borrow shoes from the pony in the paddock; you have to use regulation horseshoes if you want to play with folks from the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA). According to this home page, the horseshoes used by the NHPA are very different from shoes actually used on horses--they are much bigger. Any shoe used in a tournament must not exceed 7 1/4 inches in width and 7 5/8 inches in length. Theng of the horseshoe can't be wider than 3 1/2 inches from just inside both points of the shoe. Regulation shoes weigh about 2 pounds 10 ounces. For more of the fine points of horseshoe pitching, trot on over here.
National Sports Center for the Disabled - If you love outdoor recreation, adventure, and freedom, then read about all of the fun programs sponsored by the National Sports Center for the Disabled. The NSCD, a nonprofit organization located in Winter Park, Colorado, celebrated its 25th year of "enabling the spirit through sports" in 1995. If you're a winter sports fan, you can join their Ski Pals Program, where disabled and able-bodied kids of ages 8 to 14 hit the slopes. If skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing aren't for you, then how about the Family Camp? You and your family can enjoy white-water rafting or hiking on nature trails designed to accommodate any special needs. There's even a rock-climbing course for the blind and visually impaired.
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association - Many, many kids and adults with disabilities find that with some help, they can ride a horse. Net-mom herself used to volunteer at a therapeutic riding facility, so she's speaking from experience! Everything is done with the greatest safety in mind. Depending on the rider's abilities, the instructor usually has a side walker on each side of the horse, watching and spotting the rider and helping with a leg position if needed. There is also a person leading the horse (that was Net-mom's job) who just pays attention to the horse's gait and also takes care of most of the steering. It's amazing what the warmth of a horse can do to ease a muscle spasm or what the horse's rhythmic gait can do for confidence. You can read about specific therapies on this site and perhaps find a facility near you. If you don't need their services yourself, consider volunteering to help as a side walker or groom. You can even help by cleaning tack!
Online Boating Courses and Boating Safety Information - At this site you can learn a lot about personal floatation devices, knots and how to tie them, running lights, and all sorts of boating information. There's a special area just for kids where you can ask questions like "How far is the horizon?" and "Why are life jackets orange?" You can even take an online boating safety course that's approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized as acceptable to the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Program. To get your official Boating Safety ID card and certificate, you must pass the final exam with a score of at least 80 percent. Good luck!
Peterson's: Summer Programs - Get your older brother or sister to apply for a job at camp! Peterson's (the educational directory publisher) posts lists of summer jobs here, mostly at summer camps, for both older teenagers and young adults. Phone numbers and e-mail contact addresses are included, making this a good place to look for that first-time job. There are also links to the American Camping Association's Directory of Accredited Camps and lots of information for international students. Your parents may want to explore the rest of the items at this comprehensive educational directory. They will find everything from K-12 schools, to colleges, from studying abroad, to career information.
Putt-Putt - Net-mom loves to play miniature golf. Well, actually, Son of Net-mom really loves to play, because he usually beats Net-mom's score. (However, there was that one time, on Jekyll Island, Georgia...but then again, there were all those other times.) There are Putt-Putt mini golf courses in 28 states and eight other countries. The first course was built in North Carolina, in 1954, and the cost of a round of play was 25 cents! At this site, you can learn a little history and find a course nearby or near where you'll be on vacation.
Real Kids Fishing Adventures - Check these huge fish that kids caught in Michigan--then visit some of the many other interesting spots at this resource on all phases of fishing.
Sailing Terms - Where's the bow? What if your scupper is plugged? How do you know when to luff? If you're going to be talking to boaters or sailors (or if you're going to be one), then you'll have to check out this site. And you thought you were a sailor because you knew your port ( left) from your starboard ( right)! Sail on over and find the definition of any sailing word.
SkiNet.com - Get the latest in skiing techniques, reports on snow conditions, and skiing news from the editors of Ski magazine and Skiing magazine. The Instruction area has lots of tips, and visit the arcade where you can try not to miss virtual gates and run over bushes in the SkiNet Challenge game.
Sports Illustrated for Kids - If you've been wanting to try your hand at a new sport, this is where you can find out all about the moves, the lingo, and the equipment. Don't miss the interviews with sports heroes, hilarious comics, games, and a whole lot more.
Sports Parents from Sports Illustrated for Kids - Everything from warm-up exercises to pregame meals is covered here. Keep your parents motivated to coach your team with these terrific coaching features. There's also stuff for kids. Learn how to pick a baseball glove, an athletic shoe, and a pair of inline skates. And check the top ten things parents do to embarrass kids at the game--are your mom and dad guilty?
SuperSoaker - Net-mom has run away from more Super Soaker water play than she cares to remember. Seems like every year Son of Net-mom just HAS to have the latest, greatest, and newest model. Luckily, he hasn't discovered this Web site yet. And don't YOU tell him! He'd be entering the contest to win free water guns and drooling over the CPS 3000. No, Net-mom's going to keep this site a secret.
Tennis Server - Would you like free tips from a tennis pro? Would you like to know how to avoid tennis elbow? Would you like information on tournaments, players, rankings, and equipment? How about links to other tennis sites? You get all this and more when you go to the Net for this Tennis Server.
The Locker Room....Sports for Kids! - Do you need basic information on how to hold a bat, kick a football, serve a volleyball, or shoot a hockey puck? Get it here. Besides "skills and drills," you'll find the rules of these sports and many others, their histories, fun facts about them, and a glossary of terms. There is also advice on how to do warm-up exercises and how to deal with team problems. If you don't have a big brother or sister to teach you this stuff, this page is the next best thing.
Washers - A Great American Game! - Do you love to pitch horseshoes but are challenged by a lack of space? Try the new all-American game--Washers! You'll learn the history of this wonderful game, the equipment needed, the rules and regulations, and a lot more. In no time at all, you'll be tossing washers and wondering why you waited so long to become a Washers champ.
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