Pathfinders for Greenways
Pathfinders for Greenways is a group of citizens who represent the trail users of the Roanoke Valley for non–motorized trail uses. Their vision is to have all the area trail users meet and work together on area projects that would benefit the community. Today, Pathfiders is comprised of representatives from the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Roanoke Valley Horsemen‘s Association, Roanoke Valley Greenways/Pathfinders, National Mountain Bike Patrol and IMBA.

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
FRIENDS is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education.Saving Parkway Views is FRIENDS signature project. FRIENDS is the only authorized Blue Ridge Parkway partner organization that has been given this project under an agreement with the Park Service. Join TODAY! Be a Parkway volunteer! You can preserve the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway and have a lot of fun while you’re doing something great for the environment and the Parkway’s future.

RATC - Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club
RATC is a recreational hiking association of volunteers who preserve and improve the Appalachian Trail as the nation‘s premier, continuous, long–distance footpath. Founded in 1932, the Club is celebrating more than 75 years of service and adventure on the AT. For more information on the local section of trail, hike schedules, trail and shelter information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities visit their website.

Trout Unlimited
The Roanoke Chapter of Trout Unlimited is a diverse group of more than 265 people with the common interest of pursuing the Trout Unlimited mission to “conserve, protect and restore North America‘s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.” Their web site is presented as a bulletin board for the assimilation of information and collection of suggestions to further not only the stated mission, but to provide suggestions of meaningful and sporting enjoyment of the multitude of outdoor experiences in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Friends of Roanoke River
Friends of the Roanoke River (FORR) is an effort to engage the growing net-roots movement in southwest Virginia, western North Carolina and the entire section of the Southeast impacted by the Roanoke River Basin, from the headwaters to Albemarle Sound. FORR will serve as a clearing house for up-to-date information on regional efforts to improve the quality of the Roanoke River Watershed.  Initial daily efforts will focus on issues facing the Upper Roanoke River from the headwaters to Smith Mountain Lake. The ultimate objective of FORR is to bring a Riverkeeper Program to the Upper Roanoke River through the Waterkeeper Alliance, a national waterway protection organization.  Several waterways in the region, like Virginia’s historic James River, have successful Riverkeeper programs.

Scouting
Scouting is about building character, developing personal fitness, and learning leadership and citizenship. These goals are achieved in the outdoors. The adventure of hiking, camping, swimming, boating, high-adventure challenges, and touring is woven into the program. What Scouting wants to do, is get kids into the outdoors and experience life. There are three levels of Scouting: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing.

Cub Scouts - If you are a boy in first through fifth grades, or you are seven to 10 years old, then Cub Scouting is for you, and your family too. Cub Scouting is the first and the biggest of the three Scouting programs. Learn more about Cub Scouting and find a chapter near you at the Blue Ridge Mountains Council website.

Boy Scouting - If you are a boy age 11-17 then Boy Scouting is for you. Boy Scouting is a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA’s objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship. Learn more about Boy Scouting and find a chapter near you at the Blue Ridge Mountains Council website.

Venturing - Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Learn more about Venturing and find a chapter near you at the Blue Ridge Mountains Council website.

Girl Scouting
For almost 100 years Girl Scouts have been helping girls discover their self potential. Did you know that 70% of women in the U.S. Congress were Girl Scouts? They’re not alone. About 69% of women executives and leaders have participated in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouting is open to all girls between the grades of kindergarten and 12th grade.

Girl Scouts has designed age – appropriate programs that meet the needs of today’s girls. The goals of Girl Scout programs are to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The model is based on three principles:

• Girls discover their world and their own potential and strengthen their values
• Girls connect with others through caring relationships and team building
• Girls become empowered to take action and be advocates for themselves and others