The 25th Annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is just around the bend: May 17th and 18th. If you were there last year, you witnessed kayaking take an interesting turn and become airborne. The crowd loved it! What will they do next? If you are new to this event, here's the skinny: everyone is invited! Watch local boaters compete and show off their skills, meet other river enthusiasts, learn more about river recreation in our area, take part in any of the free educational clinics offered, join the complimentary BBQ at Lockaby Campground sponsored by Next Adventure. *Experienced boaters-(up to class IV rapids) sign up and participate. Here's a short clip, available on Google Video, documenting last year's event. Enjoy! And we'll see you on the river. (Map)

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival 24: Photos

Despite the cool and grey, the camping season has returned to our fair Northwest. The last weekend of April, the clouds parted and the sun shone on many local district Scout Camporees. Next Adventure supports Scouting by providing outdoor skills instruction and sponsoring events.

Click for more photos.

Next Adventure brought a ClimbMax climbing wall to the Sunset Trail Camporee at Willamette Mission State Park. Hundreds of Scouts got the opportunity to climb the towering wall, gaining confidence as they were skillfully coached and belayed by Darren and Josh from ClimbMax. Bryan and Greg manned the Next Adventure booth, handing out free raffle tickets and answering questions about outdoor equipment.

Teaming up with Andy and Bax, Next Adventure gave away boxes of great outdoor gear, including a Mountainsmith mountaineering backpack and a Vaude Galaxy II tent.

The Lewis & Clark District Camporee was held the first weekend of May at the Butte Creek Scout Ranch. NA Camping Staffer Evan was there to provide gear demos and donating a Coleman Perfect Flow stove, a Texsport 5-man tent, and many laser pointers, pocketknives, compasses and socks in a free raffle.

Whatever your Scouting needs - Camping, Cooking, Climbing, Pioneering, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival, Nature Studies - consider Next Adventure your Scouting resource!

The seasons are changing. Really. Summer is on it's way and we're rollin' out the Summer Package deals. Camping, Climbing and Kayak packages are here. Check out the savings!

performance sunglasses have come to Next Adventure. Tons of styles: polarized interchangeable lenses, blocking 100% of harmful UV A&B rays, models with SportFlex technology- patented by Native to create their low light lenses, sick designs, attention to detail and a *lifetime warranty.   $100-$155

• Aaron Ogden, movement director of Blue Sky Wellness Studio, returns by popular demand to lead NA staff in a Yoga Basics class in April.

• Coming in May Rachel will conduct a Farmers Market 101 workshop to help NA staff learn: 1) where and when to go for fresh, local foods; 2) how to determine what's in season; and 3) how to cook simple seasonal dishes with locally procured items. Look out! It's berry season in the PNW!

• Wellness Clinic Coordinator Rachel Wagner is currently tallying bike commuter miles logged by NA employees. "I'd estimate that 50-75% of our staff bike-commutes to work every week. The multiple benefits of commuting by bicycle--reducing gas consumption, saving money, avoiding city auto congestion, getting some exercise and fresh air---these things are important to the NA community. Next Adventure provides ample indoor storage for staff bicycles and a shower for staff use.

• We're always happy to answer questions about biking in Portland and recommend additional bike resources. We enjoy sharing our enthusiasm for biking with customers and our community. Easily access directions to our shop via the www.bycycle.org link posted here on the website.

*These clinics are presently open only to Next Adventure staff. If you would like to donate preventive health instruction, please contact Rachel at the shop. 503-233-0706.

The "NA Bandana Program" is a way for us to share in the excitement of your journey and show our gratitude for your patronage. Become part of the "NA Nation": come into the shop and pick up a Next Adventure bandana (free), snap a shot of you and/or your crew on your latest adventure, bring it in and save 10% on gear for your next adventure.

Hey! We've updated our Photo Gallery and posted some great shots- navigate to NA Nation to take a look.

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The days following our big seasonal sale are commonly referred to as "change over"- when we switch things up and the Ski and Snowboard departments give way to "Dreamland"(tents and sleeping bags) and Kayaks. It's also the time of year when we get new product and welcome new companies to our store- companies like Big Agnes. Next Adventure is happy to announce that we now have a great selection of gear by Big Agnes. Here are a few items we'd like to highlight. Psst...hey kayakers, this is an awesome set-up for multi-day trips. Super compact, light-weight and H20 friendly!

"Nugget 45": H20 compatible primaloft eco (made of 50% recycled fibers) 5 oz's. $189 reg. $199 long	Insulated Air Core Pad: 2.5 inches thick = extra comfort, primaloft eco fill (50% recycled fibers) Mummy: $69	Seed House SL1: One man, 3 season, self standing tent. Weighs 2lbs 13oz's. $249