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TopClicks
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Family Fun
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Sports and Outdoor Recreation
All About Swimming - Ms. Daizy's beginner's tips for swimming really make a splash. Be sure to dive in and learn the moves, the breathing, and most of all the water and pool safety rules you need to know. There is also information on synchronized swimming.
All About Tennis - According to Ms. Daizy, the name of this sport came from the French word tenetz , which means "take heed" or "watch out!" That's what players yelled as they served the ball. In the early days, people didn't have tennis rackets; they used their bare hands. If this is true, it's amazing the game of tennis isn't called "OUCH!" At this site you'll get a fine introduction to tennis rules, fun facts, and drills and skills.
CBS Sportsline - Kids Zone - Scanning for up-to-the-minute scores, team news, and the latest on athletes and other figures in sports? CBS Sportsline covers the NBA, NFL, baseball, NHL, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, skiing, boxing, and even horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby. In the Kids Zone you can get all kinds of player profiles, listen to audio and see video clips, check sports news for kids, and play sports-related games. Although there are frequent hosted chat sessions that are monitored, the chat rooms are otherwise a free-for-all and cannot be recommended.
Clem's Homemade Kites - You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy stunt kite--just try Clem's homemade pattern, made of newspaper and adhesive tape. The directions for making one are all at this site, including some important safety rules for flying your creation.
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?
Freestyle Frisbee - Ever notice how Frisbees never come with directions? How do you learn those cool tricks? Now you can visit this Web site and learn from the experts. Put a spin on it, and don't forget the silicon spray!
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.
Golf, a Game for Life - Discover the world of golf: its history, the equipment used, the techniques needed, and of course, the rules of play. Meet golf champions and read brief biographies. Tiger Woods won his first world golf title at age eight! His success has made him a multicultural hero--Woods is part Thai, Chinese, African American, Caucasian, and American Indian.
GORP - National Historic Trails - Ever wondered if you could find any of the old pioneer routes, like the Oregon Trail? You can! To this day, some of the old wagon ruts are still visible, and you can walk in the footsteps of early settlers during the westward expansion of the United States. You'll find maps and detailed descriptions of the Oregon Trail, plus the following: Santa Fe Trail; Trail of Tears; Iditarod National Historic Trail; Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail; Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail; Nez Perce National Historic Trail; and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
GORP - For Paddlers, Kayakers, Rafters, and Canoeists Around the World - Tired of surfing the Net? Why not try kayaking the keyboard or canoeing the computer? This resource is a great casting-off point from which to paddle Net resources about canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and similar water vehicles. Parental advisory: Not all links have been checked.
Hockey Skating Tips - This site provides tips for ice skaters, rollerbladers, hockey players, roller hockey players, and others who strap blades or rollers on their feet. Try some of the speed and scoring drills described here, and explore the links off-site. Use your inside edge on your outside skate and shoot in here!
International Signal Flags - You want to say "Hi" to your buddy in a boat across the bay, but it's too far to yell. You could use the semaphore alphabet and two flags to send messages. How? Boaters spell words by holding a flag in each hand and moving them into different positions. An H is made by holding the right-hand flag out straight and the left-hand flag down and across the body. You can learn the whole semaphore alphabet from the pictures and descriptions you'll find at this page. Get your flags, and practice! Would you like to learn more about the maritime signal flag system, or the semaphore flag code? At this site you can have your name spelled out in either one, or both! If you think you're ready, take the test and see how well you do.
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.
Junior Baseball Magazine Online - Junior Baseball is the online version of Junior Baseball Magazine, the publication for players 7 through high school, parents, and coaches. Skills clinics, Major League players recall their youth baseball days, youth teams and players profiled. Baseball fitness and training, injury prevention & treatment, new equipment tested.
Kidzgolf.com - Check this site to compare your golf scores with those of other kids. You can talk golf on the message boards, take some golf quizzes and play games, and catch up on the latest golf news. Did you know that now all kids 15 and under get into LPGA events for free?
Kitecast: Specialized Weather for Kite Flying - Select from more than 30 U.S. cities to see if "Dr. Dewpoint's" kite will get off the ground today. Then visit the extensive kite information section, where you can study flying tips, learn about National Kite Month (it starts March 25th!), and discover the fast-growing sport of indoor kiting!
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.
Lumberjack and Timber Sports Guide - Ever heard of timber sports? They include logrolling, crosscut sawing, and standing block chop. There are world records for lumberjack (or lumberjill) sporting events. If you haven't heard of this sport, you will. It's growing like crazy. On this page, you can see who holds the world record in a variety of timber competitions as well as see other information about this unusual sport, such as where to see a competition and where to buy the unusual equipment required. You can also find out when to watch this sport on ESPN.
Mika's Down Under Miniature Golf Course - Why not build your very own miniature golf course? These folks did. They built an 18-hole challenge consisting of nine hazards played in two directions. The "Down Under" course was constructed in their basement, using old toys, spare wood, and what looks like indoor-outdoor carpeting. After a few months their creation was destroyed "by random cat activity," but each hole is pictured and lovingly described as it appeared in its full glory. Now all you need is a scorecard and one of those little teeny pencils!
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!
Orienteering - Does this sound like fun? You and your friends use a very detailed map and a compass to visit various checkpoint flags hidden in the forest. When you reach a checkpoint, you use a special hole punch (usually hanging by the flag) to verify that you found the flag. The punches make differently shaped holes in your control card. This fast-growing sport can be enjoyed as a simple family walk in the woods or as a competitive team race. Learn about getting started in orienteering here, and don't miss the explanation of international control symbols. Remember: a big asterisk means look for an ANTHILL!
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.
PGA Cool Kids - Would you like to improve your golf game? What? You don't even have a golf game? This site, from the Professional Golfers' Association, will give you beginner tips and help you get started. You can also find out about junior events as well as initiatives like The First Tee, which aims to develop small kid-friendly golf facilities. Former President George Bush is the honorary chairperson of this campaign.
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.
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.
Ultimate Player's Association - "When a ball dreams, it dreams it's a Frisbee!" And you thought it was just a simple game. This stuff is serious fun. Ultimate had a modest beginning back in 1968 in New Jersey at Columbia High School. By 1972, the game had escalated to an intercollegiate sport, and today it's played in over 35 countries around the world. As with any sport, there are rules, but the list is short and the play is simple.
USDA Forest Service Recreation, Heritage & Wilderness Resources - America's national forests belong to you, but when was the last time you visited one? To find out where they are and how to visit them, check the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service guide, which lists every national forest, grassland, and park in the country. Click on any one of them to learn all about the area, including what kind of wildlife you can see and what there is to do, whether it's fishing, skiing, biking, kayaking, or camping. Once you've decided where you'd like to go, reserve your spot by downloading a reservation application.
Virtual Kite Zoo - Start here for a tour to the various types of kites and their fascinating histories. Did you know that some people use kites for fishing? Or that you can make a tetrahedral kite from drinking straws? Maybe you want to attend a kite festival, or you just want to get some online tips for flying technique. This is the site you'll want to visit! Be sure to click on Kites in the Classroom for many easy-to-make kite plans.
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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