For many of us, it’s the last weekend of summer before the kids head back to school. Act now, because once school and its various activities kick in, it could be a while before the clan has a free weekend of spend together.

Coast

I love exploring and I love a good map. But sometimes you get a hankering to go terra incognita; that is, to a spot on the map where trails are sparse and successful navigation depends upon your ability to use a map and a compass to get around. Good skills to have regardless, and skills you can pick up Sunday during an orienteering course at Lake Waccamaw State Park. If you have a compass, bring it, if you need one the park has a few loaners. Definitely bring bug spray, though. It’s an hour-long class, from 4-5 p.m.

More info: Call the park at 910.646.4748 or visit here. Directions, go here.

Piedmont

Our family loves to kayak. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough boats in our quiver to go around. Our best (meaning least expensive) bet for getting everyone out on the water is to hit a local park with a lake. There, we can either rent boats for about $5 an hour, or we can participate in a program. Like the Family Kayaking programs Saturday at both the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and the McDowell Nature Center in the Charlotte area.

Equipment and guidance is provided, bring water and snacks. Cost is $11 per person. The trip at McDowell, on Lake Wylie, is from 8:30-10:30 a.m., at Latta (Mountain Island Lake) there’s a morning trip (9-11 a.m.) and an afternoon trip (1-3 p.m.).

For more info on the McDowell trip, call 704.588.5224; for info on the Latta trip dial 704.875.1391. More details and directions can be found here.

Mountains

The problem with most mountain-based bike events is that they cater to a more hard-core crowd — cyclists capable of tackling 64 or 100 miles while climbing 10,000 feet or more. Not everyone’s idea of a pleasant weekend bike ride. Saturday’s Blue Ridge Breakaway is different. To be sure, if you’re into the mountain century thing there’s a route for you, a 105-miler (dubbed the Hawk) that covers 105 miles and 9,600 feet of climbing. But there’s also to the 66-mile Trout (3,100 feet of climbing) as well as the 40-mile Panther (2,600 feet) and the 24-mile Rabbit (1,200 feet). Challenging routes, to be sure. But not routes you have to be George Hincapie to finish, either.

All routes begin and end at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Start time is 7:30 a.m., there’s a post-ride meal from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The rides are all supported. Because we’re into late registration fee territory, the 105-, 66-, and 40-mile rides are $49, the 24-mile Rabbit is $29.

More info: Learn more here, register online, by going here.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.