Recreation calendar

Backpacking/Hiking/Climbing

Feb. 21: Climbing Kilimanjaro: Free slide show about a summer in Africa and experiences with Masaii tribe, the Serengeti, mountain gorillas and rafting the Amazon by Spokane Community College biology teacher Tammy Filliater, 7 p.m., Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W. Cleveland. Sponsored by Spokane Mountaineers.

Feb. 28: Trekking K-2: Free slide show by Spokane adventurer Dick Byrd, recounting trip to advanced base camp of world’s second-highest peak, 7 p.m., Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. Sponsored by Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club.

Baseball/Softball

Sign up: The Olympic Softball Clinic, March 12 in the Whitworth College Fieldhouse featuring gold medal winners Stacey Nuveman, Amanda Freed and Jessica Mendoza, is accepting registrations. Advance registration, for players 10 and older, is $50 (includes T-shirt and autograph/picture session) or $60 at the door. Info: Fuzzy Buckenberger, 993-8888 (daytime), 328-2131 (evening) or e-mail fuzzybuck@msn.com.Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Baseball is accepting applications for its summer baseball program. Play will begin May 31 to June 13 and be completed the week of July 18, with a season-ending tournament July 23-30. Fees: $80 for ages 5-8, $90 for ages 9-12 and $100 for ages 13-20 if received before May 3; includes hat, shirt, pants and socks. Info: 536-1800. Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Softball is accepting applications for its summer softball program. Play will begin May 31 to June 13 and be completed the week of July 15, with a season-ending tournament July 16 and 17. Fees: $80 for ages 5-8, $90 for ages 9-12 and $100 for ages 13-20 if received before May 3; includes hat, shirt, pants and socks. Info: 536-1800.

Canoeing/Kayaking

Feb. 22: Sea kayaking in Prince William Sound, Alaska: Free slide show by sea-kayak guide and instructor Paul Nylund of Anadyr Adventures in Valdez, 7 p.m., Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division. Info: 325-9000.

Fishing

Feb. 20: Northwest Ice Fishing Festival, Sidley Lake near Molson, Wash. Entry $10 adults, $5 youth. Register starting at 8:30 a.m. at Grange Hall. Fishing ends at 4 p.m. Pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner offered. Info: Oroville Chamber of Commerce, (509) 495-4002.

Nature

Feb. 18-21: Great Backyard Bird Count, a continent-wide citizens’ birdwatching activity with results posted in real time on the Internet. Info: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

March 18-20: Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, featuring field trips to view migrating cranes plus numerous other nature experiences and presentations at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and beyond. Early registration advised. Info: (866) 726-3445, or www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org.

Orienteering

Eastern Washington Orienteering Club: Fees: $3 for novice course, members $4 for advanced courses, non-members $5 for advanced courses (unless noted). Info: John Harbuck (Idaho), (208) 263-9894 or John Beck, 838-7078. Upcoming events: Feb. 26, Manito Park, 18th and Grand, registration 10 a.m. to noon; March 19, Finch Arboretum; registration 11 a.m. to noon.

March 19: Spokane Parks & Recreation courses at Finch Arboretum. “Introduction to Orienteering” course introduces students to sport of orienteering. Classroom instruction from 9:30 to 11 a.m., immediately followed by outdoor course until noon. “Orienteering Skills” class includes classroom instruction and outdoor practice of map and compass skills for intermediate and advanced orienteering courses. Class from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Register with Spokane Parks & Recreation Department at City Hall or call 625-6200. Fees: $12 per person each class. Registration deadline: March 14.

Skiing

Feb. 19: Free Heelers Telemark Race and clinics at Lookout Pass ski area. Preregister for clinics by Carole Hill of the U.S. Telemark Ski Team. Racing starts at 11 a.m. Info: Mountain Gear, 326-8180, extension 249 or www.mountaingear.com/retail.

Soccer

Feb. 19: USSF official recertification testing. SYSA Building, 2202 E. Sprague. Testing begins at noon. Info: Todd McGann, 536-1800.

Feb. 22, 23, 24, 26: USSF entry level clinic. Attendance at all four sessions required. Info: Tandie Dahnke, tld3160@aol.com. Sponsored by SpVJSA.

Feb. 26: USSF official recertification testing. Plantes Ferry Park, Upriver Drive. Testing begins at noon. Info: Tandie Dahnke, tld3160@aol.com.

March 4: Registration deadline for Valley Youth Soccer League Spring season for children ages 4-8. Cost is $29. Info: 922-7080 or www.vysoccer.org.