Great Outdoor Blog

For over 35 years the passion for outdoor adventure has driven our business. Scouting’s contribution goes back even farther. As an Eagle Scout and the father of two boys who have been positively touched by Scouting, Tom Valone established Scout Week to celebrate Scouts and their role in our communities.

Join us for Scout Benefit Week – May 1-9

• Register  to WIN a Scout Summer Camp Scholarship
• SAVE on Great Camping Gear
• Scouts DOUBLE their Discount to SAVE 20% on Camping Gear!
• Scout Week Speaker Series in Winston-Salem – May 3-7

SNEWS and Backpacker have honored Great Outdoor Provision Co. as the recipient of the 2010 Retailer of the Year Award for Conservation, a recognition given annually to the outdoor retailer who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and who serves as visionary for the outdoor market in the area of conservation.

To thank you for your support and show some love back to the community for being such great customers, we’re having a Customer Appreciation Party!

PLEASE JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

When: Tuesday, May 11
4:30 – 7:00 PM

>> RSVP on Facebook

Where: Great Outdoor Provision Co.
2017 Cameron Street
Raleigh, NC 27605

What:

• Raffle Prizes
• Free Giveaways
• Food and Drinks
• Live Music by Old Habits

About the Backpacker & SNEWS Retailer of the Year Awards

The Backpacker & SNEWS Retailer of the Year awards are given annually to outdoor retailers who embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and who serve as visionaries for the outdoor market and as leaders for the communities they serve.

The winners are selected through a rigorous judging process that begins with a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. This year, over 100 stores across the country received nominations. After reviewing all nominations, a group of finalists—determined by a first round of voting by SNEWS and Backpacker editors—is presented to a panel of judges who evaluate each store based on personal and customer experience, reputation in the outdoor community, customer feedback from the nomination forms, and overall store excellence based on demonstrated excellence in community involvement, sustainability efforts, store training and more.

To show your continued support for your favorite outdoor retailer, please go to http://www.snewsnet.com/roty to cast your nomination for the 2011 Retailer of the Year awards.

Will Strader, Winston Shop, Kinsman Range, NH on the A.T.

Join us at the Winston-Salem shop during Scout Benefit Week

Monday, May 3 – 7:30 PM
Paddling Local Rivers and Lakes – Veteran kayaker and canoeist, and Winston Paddling Department Manager, Ward Swann, shares his favorite places in the Triad to explore by boat. Check out the latest in kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, and learn about local organizations promoting and protecting local waterways.

Tuesday, May 4 – 7:30 PM
A Thru-Hikers Journey on the A.T. – Will Strader, who completed a Southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2009, shares slides and stories of his amazing adventure. He will also suggest nearby day hikes and overnights along the A.T., and field questions about what’s involved in planning your own thru-hike.

Wednesday, May 5 – 7:30 PM
Hiking Video & Book Signing w/Randy Johnson – North Carolina High Country writer/photojournalist Randy Johnson is the author of a new trail guide to the Great Smoky Mountains, and his two best-selling trail guides to the Blue Ridge Parkway are just out in brand new, updated editions in time for the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn about new places to explore and get signed copies of Randy’s books including Hiking North Carolina.

Thursday, May 6 – 7:00PM
Adventure Racing 101 – If testing your physical and mental fortitude by competing in a 12-hour multisport (biking, trekking and paddling) competition sounds fun, then this is a must see presentation. The Isotopes Racing Team of Winston-Salem, discuss everything you need to know to plan, train, and compete in an adventure race. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for the 3rd Annual IsoSeries Adventure Race on May 29th, 2010 near Danbury, NC.

Friday, May 7 – 7:30 PM
Philmont Shakedown/Ultra light Backpacking – Get advice to lighten the load on your next trek. Scouts going to Philmont this summer are encouraged to bring their “packed” packs, as Rich and Darren of the Winston staff, both of whom have completed Philmont treks, share tips & tidbits to save weight, minimize bulk, and ease discomfort.

From the creative mind of Philip Curry, the guy who started Lotus Designs and practically reinvented the modern paddlesports PFD, comes the new 2010 models from Astral. These new PFDs which feature Astral’s patented Airescape Technology build upon the highly successful V-Eight. Airescape Technology allows airflow through the PFD itself -making the PFD breathable and much cooler on your body.

The key new models include the Camino and the Nova.

While the V-Eight has a high back to accommodate the tall seat backs found on most Sit-on-Tops , the front of the PFD is fairly thick (in order to make up for the lack of foam in the short back panel). On the other hand, the new 2010 Camino has a more conventional rear panel that allows for a very low profile and ultra flexible front panel. This combination of flexibility (from the low profile construction) and ventilation (from the Airescape Technology) makes the new Camino the most comfortable PFD for general purpose paddlesports use we’ve seen on the market.

The new ventilated Nova is perfect for folks who find themselves in boats whose seatbacks are too tall even for a V-Eight.

While we currently have the new 2010 Astral PFDs in stock, supplies are fairly limited due to unexpected demand. See our PFD lineup here.

It is time again for the NC Wildlife Federation Annual Canoe & Kayak-a-thon! Volunteers will paddle a stretch of the Catawba River to raise money for natural resource conservation. This is a 7- mile easy to moderate paddle. The event will be held at Riverbend Steam Station on Mountain Island Lake (Same location as last year). Specific directions and details will be provided to all registered participants. The event will begin @ 8:30am and last through lunch. All participants and volunteers will receive a t-shirt and lunch. We have also added more prizes and giveaways this year.

GRAND PRIZE IS A BRAND NEW CANOE by Great Outdoor Provision Co.

For every $100 a paddler generates they receive a ticket in the drawings for the prizes.

Please note: If you are interested in paddling but need a boat – Mecklenburg County Natural Resource Division has donated the use of several canoe & kayaks. Numbers are limited so register early & start raising money for wildlife conservation!!!

All monies raised are tax-deductible and will go to support NC Wildlife Federation’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

If you like to kayak and you like to fish, hook up with a fishing seminar on Saturday, May 1, at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Experienced kayak angler Ashley Williams outlines all you need to know to combine the two pastimes — the qualities of a good fishing kayak, tackle, bait, accessories, regulations and safety considerations.

Williams, now of Pitt County, grew up in Wilmington and has been saltwater fishing since childhood. He captains the Great Outdoor Provision Co.’s kayak fishing team.

A 10-year veteran of kayak fishing, he praises the advantages of the method. He points out that a kayak costs less to buy and maintain than a larger boat, is easy to transport and doesn’t require a launch ramp. On the water, anglers appreciate the maneuverability.

“It can get you into a lot of different waters where a bigger boat would have trouble or couldn’t go at all,” he says.

The presentation is part of a series of Saturday afternoon fishing seminars on various topics. The next session May 22 features Chesson O’Briant’s tips on kite fishing.

Fishing seminars are from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Soundside Hall at the Aquarium, and are free with admission or membership. Registration is not required. Contact Educator Todd Spangler at ext. 288 or this web link for more information.

Spend the afternoon with world-champion professional whitewater kayaker Eric Jackson this Wednesday, April 21.  Eric will be at the Park Road location of Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Here’s look at the schedule:

• 11:00 am – We open the visit up to the public to visit EJ at the store.
• 12:00 noon – We adjourn to a local eatery for lunch with EJ and his crew.
• 1:30 to 2:00 pm – We meet in the parking lot of the store and gather up people and gear to drive to the USNWC
• 2:00 pm – Leave the store to get the USNWC
• 3:00 pm – Paddle at the USNWC until they turn off the water at approx 4:30pm

Call the shop for more info: 704.523.1089

*Eric is returning to the Charlotte store after we paddle at the USNWC. He will be here from about 5pm until 7pm. Stop by and say hi if you were stuck in school or work during the day.

Interesting study conducted by a graduate student at NCSU:

The purpose of this research is to learn more about the restorative benefits of backcountry hiking and its relationship to job satisfaction. This research is being conducted for a doctoral dissertation at North Carolina State University. This is the first research on the topic and will provide the foundation for future research on the restorative benefits of backcountry hiking and how it may benefit the workplace.

Complete the survey at: http://www.hikingresearch.com

The SmartCommute Challenge is an annual non-profit public service campaign that works to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. From April 15 – May 31, 2010, commuters who work in Durham, Orange & Wake Counties can participate by pledging to carpool, vanpool, bike or walk, ride the bus, or telework at least once.

Click here to TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

GOPC is a Silver Sponsor this year. We donated $250 along with a $750 “Commuter Treasure Chest” of great gear to include:

• Patagonia Sportswear Outfit featuring Sustainable/Recycle Fabrics
• Smartwool Socks & Keen Footwear
• Commuter Backpack
• Water Bottle, Headlamp, Camp Chair & Sunglasses

The SmartCommute Challenge is coordinated by GoTriangle and SmartCommute@rtp. The goal of the campaign is to encourage Triangle commuters to try an alternative commute (not driving alone) to work or campus such as riding the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, teleworking, biking, walking, or riding your electric scooter or Segway.

We need your help to make the 2010 campaign a success! Our goals are to:

• Help reduce the carbon footprint of Triangle commuters.
• Increase awareness of greener commute choices.
• Show Triangle commuters ways to save!

How to SmartCommute
Trade in that stressful, time-consuming and expensive drive to work for a smarter commute. It just takes one day to complete the Challenge.  If you’re really feeling up to it, pledge to change your travel to work several days throughout!

• If your company and supervisor allows it, working from home is the way to go. Go for teleworking!
• Make new friends or catch some zzz’s in the backseat. Pledge to carpool or join a vanpool!
• Get fit and have fun (save a trip to the gym)! Try biking or walking to work!
• Want to feel the breeze in your hair and catch some fresh air? Take your electric scooter or Segway to get around!
• Add a relaxing buffer to the beginning and end of your day, with time to read, listen to MP3s, or just take in the scenic view. Try the bus!

Changing your commute can reduce your carbon footprint while increasing your savings.  Each gallon of gas burned by your vehicle releases approximately 24 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere. Taking a smarter commute two days a week can reduce your annual CO2 emissions by at least 1,590 pounds!  Together, we can make a difference.

Plus, with tax incentives, SmartCommuters can save up to $230 a month.  That’s over $2700 a year! To learn more about how a smarter commute can save you money, click here!