What are you doing this weekend?  Well, the Youth Outdoors USA - Minnesota team will be heading to do some serious networking at this years Northwest Sports Show in Minneapolis.  From RV's to dock diving dogs the sports show has many outlets to get people back outside and learning about the wilderness!  Learn how to orbe, basically walk on water inside a giant bubble, and catch your own trout!  Should be a pretty great time!  YOUSA - MN is working hard on making connections that will help out nationally!  What are yall doing in the other states!  We would love to hear from you!

Are you going to springing ahead or falling behind?  I vote spring ahead!  Pull out those hiking boots and head out for an early spring hike!  If you are in an area where it is pretty dry and doesn't have snow on the ground like we do, maybe go out for a shed hunt!  Finding antlers that deer have dropped is always an adventure!  What about some early spring fishing?  Bass are biting I hear!   What activity will spring you ahead into our new season?

So I was right, due to the beautiful weather we were having up here in Minnesota, Mother Nature said "just kidding" and slammed us with 2 inches of freezing rain and about 6 inches of snow... and guess what... it's still coming!  Hopefully this will be the final snowfall of the year so we can get our spring activities going!  However this does pose a great opportunity to squeeze in some last minute sledding, snowtubing and maybe a final snowball fight?  As Al Roker says "whats happening in your neck of the woods"!  Let us know!

Due to yesterday being the official first day of spring we would like to say hello to a new season!  New seasons mean all types of different things!  From different activities to different apparel.  Yesterday I got to put on the knee high boots and take a walk in my backyard.  The lake in the backyard mixed with the melting snow made for muddy conditions so my knee high boots from Lacrosse kept my feet dry and happy!  It is always interesting to see what is left with the snow melts.... everything from sticks and logs to Nike shoes and a golf ball were laying around.  My friends and I also got to see nature come alive with a the neighborhood family of fox coming back out to play and the geese moving back in.  Spring means new life and new sites to see!  I cannot wait to see what else spring has to offer us!

Another gorgeous day here in Minnesota!  Lots of people are out walking the trails around the lakes or even their blocks!  What are you doing to enjoy this great weather?  Our national director Phil got to hit the water for a fishing adventure!  He seemed to be very successful, with the biggest being a 25" bass!  Way to go Phil!  Sadly enough here in Minnesota the ice is still in full effect however starting to fade away which is going to become dangerous for our ice fisherman!  Remember to always be safe when you are outside!!! :) 

Hey everyone!  Kara here, your Minnesota state director!  I am so excited to be apart of the Youth Outdoors USA family!  We have a lot of things being planned as we speak for Minnesota and I am excited to share just a few of them with you!  On May 8th, I will be venturing out to Rogers, Minnesota and in conjunction with Cabelas will be helping out with a youth and women outdoors event!  Feel free to swing by and find out more about activities youth can do and where to go!  Also planning has begun on three BWCAW canoe trips, a beginner, moderate and advance trips!  More information will be posted on the Minnesota YOUSA page with details as they are finalized!  Please friend us on facebook "YOUSA Minnesota Chapter" and like our fan page "YOUSA - Minnesota Chapter"  Hope everyone is having an awesome day!  Up here in Minnesota the snow is finally starting to melt!  Now that I said that however we will probably get another couple inches!  :)  Im working on setting up the Youth Outdoors USA main facebook and fan page and our twitter account is up and running!  Follow us on twitter at YouthOutdoorsUSA, find us by using kara@youthoutdoorsusa.com

Welcome to the blog of Youth Outdoors USA!

Youth Outdoors USA is a website featuring extensive information to help motivate our youth to get back outside enjoying sports and all the natural wonders this world has to offer.  We hope you will enjoy visiting our website often, and get all the young people you know involved.

On this blog, we will be talking about just about anything related to "The Great Outdoors", and offering ideas to get your loved ones interested in investigating all the terrific activities available outside for themselves.

Now, I would like to introduce Kara Wattunen, who is our director in Minnesota, and the head honcho of social marketing for Youth Outdoors USA.  She has spent many wonderful days hunting and fishing in her region, and has some tremendous ideas for expanding your child's world beyond the ever present video screen.

Thanks for stopping by!  We hope you have a great time joining us in our quest to get kids, their families and friends outdoors having the time of their lives.