BOATING

Safety grants up to $4,000

WHERE: Mail

WHEN: Deadline 5 p.m. Dec. 1

DETAILS: Alaska Marine Safety Education Association is offering mini-grants to help fund cold-water and boating safety training and education projects intended to enhance safety training and education. Funds are available only to AMSEA-trained educators and instructors who are actively teaching or supporting boating or cold-water safety. Maximum is $4,000 per project. Winners will be announced Jan. 9.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.amsea.org or 1-907-747-3287.

CLIMBING

Boulder competition, slide show

WHERE: Alaska Rock Gym, 4840 Fairbanks St.

WHEN: Dec. 6-8; slide show 8 p.m. Dec. 7

DETAILS: The gym's popular annual bouldering competition, "No Strings Attached" is opening to climbers at least 12 years old. In addition, internationally ranked boulder specialist Angie Payne will be a guest host and exhibition climber. On Dec. 7, Payne will give a slide show detailing her travels to some of the world's best boulder areas

CONTACT: 562-7265; www.alaskarockgym.com

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Bicentennial Park: Smoke Jumper Trail Head

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday hike an easier trail, suitable for kids. Thursday is Thanksgiving; no hike this week.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org

Guided Eagle River Trek

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Take a 6.5-mile guided trek to walk off your Thanksgiving feast at the Eagle River Nature Center with volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher. Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. The trail is fairly level with a total elevation gain of about 800 feet. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with lunch/snacks, water, wind/snow clothing and warm layers. Snowshoes and/or ice cleats may be needed. Call for trail conditions. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please provide contact information at time of registry.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

KIDS

Make treats for birds

WHEN: 1 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Junior naturalists will learn how to make a Thanksgiving feast for birds. Suet and bird cookies are a treat for our feathered friends. Help us put them on trees around the Nature Center or take them home to hang in your backyard. Registration required.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

Learn about squirrels

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Junior naturalists will learn about squirrels with volunteer Beth Baker. She will explain how squirrels stash food, stay alive in winter and why they "scold." She'll also talk about nocturnal flying squirrels. Registration required.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

Stroller strides for moms

WHEN: 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays until Dec. 25.

WHERE: O'Malley Gardens, 11051 O'Malley Centre Drive

DETAILS: Have fun with your baby, get a great workout and meet other moms. Toddler turf time will follow class.

CONTACT: (888) 605-7860; www.strollerstrides.net/anchorage

Tots get to play outdoors

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3

WHERE: Lidia Selkregg Chalet in Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Enjoy story-times, crafts, and outdoor play every Wednesday. For ages 3-5.

COST: $4 a day / $15 session

CONTACT: 343-4258 www.muni.org/parks

Make a birch bark basket

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Limited to 10 adults (ages 16 and up) who register.

COST: $10, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Alaska Freedivers

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11

WHERE: Snow Goose Restaurant, 717 W. Third Ave.

DETAILS: Join a group of spearo and recreational breath-hold divers for discussions on training, diving planning, and more.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 350-4753

Panel discussion on dog care

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2

WHERE: BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson Blvd.

DETAILS: Panel discussion on dog care for working dogs. A veterinarian specialist, nutritionist and an animal behaviorist will talk. Call before attending.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 349-9663; www.skijoring.org.

Arctic Bicycle Club Meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 11

WHERE: Guido's Pizza, 549 W. International Airport Rd.

DETAILS: Free pizza for club members.

SKIING

Cross country skiing for kids

WHEN: Two sessions -- Nov. 10- Jan. 3 and Jan. 12-March 7

WHERE: Kincaid Park, Hillside Park and Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Anchorage Junior Nordic League is a cross country ski program for children of all abilities, ages 6 to 14. Emphasis is on fun and proper technique. Practice is three days a week. Skiers can pick a M/W/Sat or T/Th/Sat schedule.

COST: $160 for 8 weeks; Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage members get a $20 discount.

CONTACT: Learn more and register on-line at www.juniornordic.org; or call Ellen Toll at 276-7609

Wooden Ski Classic benefit race

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. signups today, race 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Refreshments afterward. No snow? It'll be a hike, instead. Register online. Proceeds benefit Ski For Light and the East High ski team.

CONTACT: 696-1977; www.anchoragenordic ski.com/Racing/other.htm

Alyeska due to open

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Alyeska Resort in Girdwood

DETAILS: Alyeska is expected to open to skiers and boarders for the season. It's weather-dependent, so check first.

CONTACT: www.alyeskaresort.com

Kids learn to ski, board

WHEN: Three-week sessions Saturdays or Sundays in December, January, February

WHERE: Alyeska Resort

DETAILS: For ages 8 through high school and all abilities. Chaperoned transportation available from Eagle River and Anchorage.

CONTACT: www.alyeskaresort.com or call Dawn at 754-2234 or 754-2280

WILDERNESS SAFETY

Treating cold-weather injuries

WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 230

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Wilderness safety educator Deb Ajango will discuss common cold-weather injuries, including prevention and assessment.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108

WILDLIFE

Alaska Wildlife free day

WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mile 79 Seward Highway

DETAILS: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center says thanks to Alaskans by offering free admission on Thanksgiving day. See 100 bison, herds of elk, musk ox, caribou and more as you drive or walk through the center. Free guided shuttle bus tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Sneak preview of new road and plans for the center's expansion.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 783-2025

Compiled by reporter Heather March. Find her online at adn.com/contact/hmarch or call 257-4335.

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